Boeing predicts a need for 617,000 commercial airline pilots by 2035 due to an increase in the airline fleets and an impending mass retirement of airline pilots. This amounts to 31,000 pilots each year. To address this need, Boeing is expanding its international pilot development program, which includes 15 campuses worldwide.
The pilot development program provides ground and flight training. To expand its training capabilities Boeing acquired Peters Software, which specializes in curriculum and materials for ab-initio pilot training under EASA. The acquisition was announced last October.
This summer Boeing opened a new training center in Moscow, providing flight, maintenance and specialty training. Currently two simulators, full-motion 737 and 777 sims, are in operation. There is also room for expansion, with two additional simulator bays.
Boeing has also teamed up with Emirates Flight Training Academy to launch a major training center at Al Maktoum International Airport — Dubai World Central. The Academy is scheduled to open by the end of the year and will be capable of training as many as 600 pilots concurrently once it is fully operational. In addition to online and classroom instruction, students will train in the academy’s fleet of 22 Cirrus SR22 and five Phenom 100 airplanes.
At the conclusion of the program, students will walk away with a minimum of 315 hours of flight time. No prior flight time will be required for the applicants to the program. However, a screening test will be required.
