Capt Dolan of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Associations (IFALPA) appears to have overlooked the fact that training courses - whether on a commercial basis or not - provided by reputable, licensed organisations such as ours are entirely contingent upon the individual's aptitude to proceed to each stage of the training course (Flight International, 2-8 September).
In Bond Aviation Solutions' scheme, safety is always first priority. Individuals undergoing training have to meet the highest standards as they begin each module of our course; if an individual cannot meet the required standard, there is no question of them proceeding to become a member of the operating crew of our aircraft.
Individuals also pay only for the elements of the course that they receive, so there is no question of students' funds being withheld if they do not display the necessary aptitude to complete the full course.
In short, the same safeguards apply to this scheme as any other form of airline training, regardless of the commercial arrangements that may lie behind that training. It is surprising that IFALPA chooses to seek to restrict the entry of quality trained commercial pilots to the employment market and one can only speculate at its reasons for wishing to do so.
Capt Mario Fulgoni
Director of Training, Bond Aviation Solutions
London Gatwick Airport
UK
Source: Flight International
