Guernsey’s airline, Aurigny, has welcomed six new cadets to begin their training journey through its innovative partnership with Norse Atlantic and Leading Edge Aviation.
The successful candidates mark the first group to enter Aurigny via the Leading Edge Airline Preparation (LEAP) programme after they have gained their commercial pilots licence, an integrated pilot training course that prepares aspiring aviators for a full professional career. What sets Aurigny’s collaborative scheme apart as a truly unique career pathway is how the training takes pilots all the way from ATR72-600 to Boeing 787.
The cadets join Aurigny as First Officers where they will gain operational experience on the Guernsey network before progressing to long-haul flying with Norse Atlantic.
Philip Smallwood, Chief Operations Officer at Aurigny, said: “Welcoming our first six cadets through the Leading Edge programme is a fantastic milestone for Aurigny and for the future of the industry in Guernsey. It ensures a long-term, high-quality source of flight crew for our island’s air services while helping to inspire the next generation of pilots.”
The programme creates a structured and sustainable flow of high-quality First Officers, typically joining Aurigny for two years, benefiting the pilot, airline and wider aviation community.
Andy McFarlane, CEO of Leading Edge Aviation, said: “To get to a Dreamliner, or any other long-haul aircraft, can take five or six years with most airlines. Typically, pilots will spend several years on short-haul fleets before moving across. With this programme, these cadets are as much as three years ahead of everyone else, which is a truly remarkable advantage.”
One of the selected cadets, Kian Le Mottee, said: “I think the opportunity to develop my skills as a pilot, flying in the challenging conditions in Guernsey, as well as the opportunity to progress onwards to a huge airline with opportunity for expansion, is perfect for me.”
Main picture shows (left to right): Annabelle Sharrock, Helena Taylor, Luke Sherry, Kian Le Motte.
