Edelweiss offers its own airline pilot training

In collaboration with Swiss Aviation Training (SAT), Edelweiss is introducing "ab initio" commercial pilot training starting in fall 2014. What's new is that Edelweiss will support future pilots during their training, guarantee them employment if they perform well, and contribute to the costs.

"We want to provide high-quality training for career starters. For us, this new training program not only secures our next generation of cockpit pilots, but also represents an investment in Swiss aviation," says Christoph Zogg, Chief Operating Officer of Edelweiss. "We hope to attract well-qualified young cockpit pilots to Edelweiss and, in return, guarantee the graduates a permanent position in a dynamic and successful company," Zogg continued.

After passing the multi-stage selection process, graduates attend the approximately two-year commercial pilot training program at Swiss Aviation Training (SAT). Upon successful completion, they transfer to Edelweiss and begin training on the Airbus fleet. Edelweiss contributes approximately 40% of the total costs and provides candidates with an interest-free loan to pre-finance their training.

Edelweiss' new "ab initio" commercial pilot training program is aimed at applicants with Swiss citizenship, a C-level settlement permit, or citizens of the EU-25/EFTA states who are between 20 and 30 years old. The minimum requirement is a completed secondary school diploma/university entrance qualification or at least three years of basic vocational training with a federal vocational certificate (EFZ), as well as one year of professional experience/internship or university studies.

Those interested in the new “ab initio” airline pilot training program can now apply to Edelweiss.