AeroGuard Flight Training Center, already one of the larger flight training academies in the United States is about to get busier as the company has signed a long-term agreement to train flight cadets for Cathay Pacific. The airline, which flies internationally, is based in Hong Kong.
Joel Davidson, AeroGuard’s CEO said, “AeroGuard is extremely proud to announce this partnership with Cathay Pacific, one of the most respected airlines in the world, known for their high level of quality and professional standards. As the aviation industry rebounds across the globe following the pandemic, AeroGuard plans to train hundreds of future pilots for Cathay Pacific.”
AeroGuard has been training pilots for more than 20 years. They have training facilities in Fort Meyers, Florida; Austin, Texas, and facilities in Chandler and Phoenix, Arizona. The Cathay candidates will train at the Phoenix facility.
Two Programs Offered
AeroGuard’s Pilot Pathway Program is designed to take an applicant from zero-time to eligibility for an airline interview in as little as two years. Pilot candidates come from all over the world for training.
AeroGuard will provide Cathay Pacific candidates with two training programs: one is ab initio, designed for cadets who have no prior flight experience. The other is for pilots who wish to convert their certificates and ratings to the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD).
AeroGuard expects to train several hundred pilots a year for Cathay Pacific. The airline has set a goal of 1,000 pilots trained by 2025 with that number possibly increasing to meet the airline’s needs as the desire for travel grows around the world.
“We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with AeroGuard to provide our cadet pilots with the opportunity to learn and gain valuable flight experience at such a premier flight training school,” said Tim Burns, Cathay Pacific’s general manager. “Our people are very important to us and our success as an airline, and this partnership with AeroGuard will help us maintain a strong pipeline of talent that will enable us to continue to provide the exemplary standards of service and operational excellence that underpin the Cathay Pacific brand.”
Training Has Begun
The first class of Cathay Pacific cadets completed the required ground school in Hong Kong a few weeks ago, then made the trip to the states, according to James Constable, chief marketing officer for AeroGuard.
AeroGuard uses a fleet of more than 70 aircraft made up of Piper Archers and Piper Seminoles for the flight training portion of the program.
“They then complete their initial flight training with us, and return to Cathay for their multi crew coordination training, which I believe also works as their type rating and line training,” Constable said.
