Aer Lingus is focusing on attracting more women to become pilots as it launched its ‘Aer Lingus Future Pilot Programme’ – a fully-sponsored, fully-mentored training platform for aspiring pilots.
The airline said that over the last five years it has trained and mentored more than 50 pilots, all of whom are now working for the airline. It said successful candidates must excel during an intensive 14-month training programme. The recruits of 2018 will begin their aviation career as a First Officer in 2020 on new Airbus A320 and A321neo long-range aircraft.
Aer Lingus said it’s “making a concerted effort to attract more female applicants to its Future Pilot Programme” and was the first airline in Europe to employ a female pilot, Gráinne Cronin. Currently, Aer Lingus employs twice as many female pilots when compared with the international airline industry average, which remains low.
Aer Lingus pilots on the flight deck
Applicants are invited to apply online via the Aer Lingus careers website http://careers.aerlingus.com. The closing date for applications is 5pm, Sunday 13th May 2018.
Essential criteria for application
- 18 years of age on or before 1st January 2018
- Fluent in written and spoken English
- Eligible to live and work permanently in the EU
- Up-to-date unrestricted worldwide passport
- Able to pass an airport security vetting procedure, including a five-year background check
- Two verifiable references
- Able to obtain an EASA / IAA issued Class 1 Medical, including successfully passing a colour blindness test – Please refer to www.iaa.ie prior to application to ensure you can meet all medical requirements in line with eyesight/colour blindness limitations
- If applicants are not Irish citizens, they will require a current police disclosure certificate from their home country if successful
- If applicants have resided outside the Republic of Ireland for six months or more, they will also require a current police disclosure certificate from that country/countries
Key competencies and skills:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Flexibility and willingness to work at various hours throughout the day or night
- Strong communicator who acts with integrity
- Well-developed decision making skills
- Technical awareness
- Strong team player with ability to build and maintain positive working relationships and demonstrate leadership qualities
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
Minimum educational criteria:
- Leaving Certificate pass grade (6 subjects) or equivalent
- O3 grades in English and Mathematics at ordinary level or H6 at higher level in the Leaving Certificate
- Minimum of 2 higher level subjects with a minimum of H5 grades in the Leaving Certificate (equivalent grades detailed on http://careers.aerlingus.com)
- Where the minimum Leaving Certificate or equivalent grades have not been met, you must have one of the following qualifications:
- A minimum of a Level 7 third level (ordinary degree) in any discipline
- Completed an aviation-related apprenticeship
