Posted by Courtney E. Howard

SEATTLE, 5 Dec. 2011. Officials from Boeing (NYSE:BA) and 43 Air School (Pty) Ltd., Africa's largest flight training organization, have partnered to provide a comprehensive pilot training program with the goal of maintaining and enhancing aviation safety in Africa and around the world. Participants in the program will receive training at the "ab initio," or basic, level from the experienced flight school and at the commercial jet level from Boeing.

The three-phase program is designed to provide a candidate with no prior flying experience the opportunity to progress to full competence and accreditation--from basic instruction through jet training. Program graduates will be qualified as a Boeing Next-Generation 737 First Officer, ready to assume the right seat in the flight deck, according to a representative. Upon completion of training, graduates will have earned a private pilot license, with multi-engine and instrument ratings and commercial/multi-engine qualification and a type rating in a Next-Generation 737 or other models, as the market requires.

"Boeing is working to provide expanded access to flight training solutions in all regions of the world, enabling airlines to reduce their overall training costs as well as help meet the increased demand for pilots," says Roei Ganzarski, chief customer officer, Boeing Flight Services. "Over the next 20 years, there is a global need for hundreds of thousands of new airline pilots. Through partnerships like this, we're working to expand the pool of pilots from which airlines can select."

Phase One of the program will take cadets through basic flight instruction at 43 Air School. Phases Two and Three continue with Boeing Flight Services Jet Bridge and Type Rating programs completed at any Boeing training campus.

"Boeing is one of the largest aerospace companies operating in the region, partnering with commercial aerospace suppliers Aerosud Aviation PTY Ltd. and Denel Aerospace. The addition of 43 Air School to the Boeing portfolio of partners is a further investment in supporting Africa's leadership in the aviation industry," explains J. Miguel Santos, director, International Sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Flight crew training is going to be a critical focus in Africa as we seek to provide the necessary human resources to operate airline fleets to meet the region's market demands."