• Aspiring pilots will undergo a rigorous selection and training regime, with access to the most innovative flight training technology available in Canada
• A Canadian Innovation: Successful candidates will join Flair’s dedicated team of professionals as first officers on Flair’s Boeing 737 aircraft upon graduation
• The first cohort of trainees will be selected this fall
EDMONTON, August 17, 2023 – Flair Airlines, Canada’s leading ultra-low fare airline, is proud to announce the launch of the Flair Airlines Cadet Program in collaboration with Genesis Flight College, a unique private flight training college based in Collingwood, Ontario, and Canada Training Solutions (CTS Aero), a Canadian pilot training innovator. This new program underlines Flair’s commitment to fostering talent, meeting the growing demand for skilled pilots, and ensuring the highest standards of safety and excellence.
The objective of the program is to prepare pilots to become the first officers on the Flair Airlines Boeing 737 MAX aircraft within 18 months. Similar programs exist in Europe to train pilots for first officer roles on Boeing 737 and Airbus A320family jets; this is one of the first programs of its kind in North America to train pilots ab initio to join as first officers on large narrowbody aircraft.
“Flair is proud to collaborate with Genesis Flight College and CTS Aero to take this effective training model and adapt it for rigorous Canadian standards,” said Stephen Jones, CEO of Flair Airlines. “The program is a first of its kind in Canada by a national carrier and will allow us to contribute to the growth and sustainability of Canada’s aviation workforce, and to continue our mission to deliver the lowest fares on offer in Canada. Training pilots through our innovations will be a key part of our success.”
“Our partnership with Flair on the Cadet Program will provide cadets with a direct pathway to a first officer position and Flair with a pipeline of highly trained pilots”, said David Gascoine, President of Genesis Flight College. “We are pleased to be selected as the first flight school in Canada to implement the industry-leading multi-crew training syllabus pioneered in Europe along with fully integrated virtual reality training.”
“Canada has an opportunity to be an aviation industry leader in training innovation,” said Garrett Lawless, President of Canada Training Solutions. “With mixed reality flight simulation, targeted cognitive training, and evolved curriculums that leverage the strengths of these technologies, we provide support to elite flight training programs as they prepare tomorrow’s air crew.
Our programs use proven methodologies to efficiently train more pilots with fewer resources and to higher standards than traditional approaches.” Flair Airlines recognizes the importance of investing in the training and development of new pilots to meet the demands of an expanding market and contribute to the airline’s mission of providing affordable and reliable air travel across Canada and beyond. Through this partnership, Flair Airlines aims to provide aspiring pilots with a comprehensive and advanced training program that equips them with the skills, knowledge, and experience needed to excel in their careers. The program was specifically created by Flair Airlines, Genesis Flight Schools and CTS to design and implement a comprehensive curriculum that adheres to the highest industry standards for training and safety. Applicants will undergo a rigorous pre-selection program. Only those deemed with the aptitude to complete the program will be selected, where they will then undergo specialized training with access to the most innovative equipment available in the aviation industry.
The Flair Airlines Cadet Program will welcome its first cohort of aspiring pilots in January 2024. The program is open to individuals who are passionate about aviation and meet the program’s selection criteria.
To apply and review the program curriculum, please visit https://go.flyflair.com/flaircadetprogram
About Flair Airlines
Flair Airlines is Canada’s leading low-fare airline and its greenest airline, on a mission to provide affordable air travel that connects them to the people and experiences they love. With an expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, Flair is growing to serve over 35 cities across Canada, the U.S., Mexico, and Dominican Republic. For more information, please visit www.flyflair.com.
About Genesis Flight College
Genesis Flight College is a private career college with a fleet of Diamond aircraft and modern avionics dedicated to training pilots for their careers in the airline industry. Established in 2013, the College is based in Collingwood, Ontario. For more information, visit https://flygenesis.ca
About Canada Training Solutions (CTS Aero)
Canada Training Solutions is an aviation solutions company that unites traditional flight training with proven technological innovations to create the next generation of pilot training. For more information, visit www.ctsaero.com, Instagram, Facebook
