Boeing Pilot Development Program Launched at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

OSHKOSH, Wisconsin, July 30, 2014 –Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today a comprehensive global training solution that provides all the training a pilot needs, from basic theory through qualification as a commercial jet first officer, the “right seat” in the flight deck.

Leveraging the proven experience of Boeing and Jeppesen, the Boeing Pilot Development Program is designed to provide the essential training an airline needs to help meet the rising demand for qualified pilots. The program takes cadet pilots through initial screening, ab initio (basic classroom and flight instruction), jet bridge and type rating training at Boeing training facilities around the world to ensure an efficient, consistent and effective pipeline for airlines to secure qualified first officers.

“Approximately 533,000 new commercial airline pilots are needed to support the global fleet over the next 20 years,” said David Wright, director, Boeing Pilot Development Program today at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. “Boeing has been talking about this demand for years—the Pilot Development Program is our answer, and an investment in the future of aviation personnel.”

Boeing subsidiary Jeppesen provides initial screening and ab initio training through its robust training network, including a competence evaluation in Aviation English, foundational aviation knowledge and migration from practical ground and flight training to an Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL). Boeing and Jeppesen developed a jet-bridge course, providing high-performance jet theory, with fixed- and full-motion simulation—all from an airline operations perspective.

“The Boeing Pilot Development Program brings the experience and knowledge associated with two leaders in aviation, Boeing and Jeppesen, to provide a comprehensive program designed to train operationally ready pilots,” said Wright. “But no single company can close the gap in demand. This is an industry issue, and can only be solved by innovative, industry-wide solutions.”

The 2014 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook—a respected industry forecast of aviation personnel required to meet the industry’s demand over the next 20 years—projects a global need for 533,000 new commercial airline pilots and 584,000 new maintenance technicians by 2033. That equates to a need for nearly 27,000 new commercial airline pilots and 29,000 new maintenance technicians globally each year.