COMAIR STRIVES FOR TRANSFORMATION IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY
Johannesburg, 14 February 2011: As part of its commitment to transformation in the aviation industry, Comair, operator of British Airways in South Africa and kulula.com, has funded six cadets from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to study for their commercial pilot's license. Comair on Friday hosted a graduation ceremony to celebrate the cadets' successful completion of the programme.
Comair's Flight Training Centre in Kempton Park is one of only a few highly sophisticated training centres on the African continent and offers the most comprehensive pilot type-rated training. The Comair Cadet Pilot Program was initiated in 2000 to address the shortage of pilots from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. Since its inception, ten cadets have successfully completed the training programme.
"Comair spearheaded this programme because we recognised the need for skills development and the significant impact that we could make towards transformation in our industry. Despite the high costs associated with this training programme, averaging R450 000 per individual, we have made an ongoing commitment to further develop South Africa 's pilot skills pool," said Dy Moonsammy, Comair's Senior Manager: Learning and Development.
Three of the initial four cadets who completed the programme in 2002 are currently employed as first officer pilots on Comair operated aircraft, two of whom have since been promoted to the rank of captain.
The six graduates will still need to gain in the region of 1 500 flying hours in order to reach the level of experience and standards required by commercial airlines.
"We are extremely proud of our cadets for completing and doing so well on the programme. They are a true inspiration to other people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are dreaming of pursuing a career in the aviation industry," concludes Moonsammy.
From left to right: Amanda Kandawire (cadet graduate), Mangezi Mvelase (cadet graduate), Dy Moonsammy (Comair- Senior Manager: Learning and Development), Berry Mtsweni (cadet graduate), Darren Moodley (cadet graduate)
Statement issued by Heidi Brauer, Executive Manager: Group Marketing, Comair Ltd, February 14 2011
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