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SAS
/CAPA MPL partnership agreement
SAS and Center Air Pilot Academy Launch Partnership for MPL Pilot Training
SAS and Center Air Pilot Academy (CAPA) have announced a forward-thinking partnership aimed to train 48 Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) pilots annually. “This agreement is perfectly timed to address the increasing demand for highly skilled commercial pilots,” said Rasmus Ilsøe, Chief Pilot at SAS in Copenhagen. The program is specifically designed to meet the growing need for qualified pilots in today’s dynamic and competitive aviation landscape.
A Training Program Focused on Career Development
In collaboration with SAS, CAPA’s two-year training program offers cadets an exceptional opportunity to prepare for a career as an SAS First Officer right after flight school. Jens Kristian Frost, CEO of CAPA, emphasizes the importance of this partnership: “This is a key milestone for CAPA. Our students will gain significant value from SAS’s direct involvement throughout their training journey.”
Tailored Training Programs to Meet the Future Needs of Aviation
SAS and CAPA will jointly develop a bespoke MPL training curriculum, specifically designed to align with SAS’s operational and safety standards. This tailored approach ensures the pilots are equipped not only with technical expertise but also with critical decision-making skills and situational awareness—both essential in today’s complex aviation environment. “We’ve hired many excellent pilots from CAPA over the years, and we know they come with a solid foundation. This partnership is vital in helping us meet the increasing need for skilled pilots,” added Rasmus Ilsøe.
The MPL Program – A Direct Path to SAS Cockpits
The MPL (Multi-Crew Pilot License) program is an advanced training model specifically designed to prepare pilots for multi-crew environments like those in commercial airline operations. Unlike the traditional Commercial Pilot License (CPL), the MPL program focuses on collaboration with a specific airline—in this case, SAS. From the start, cadets are fully immersed in SAS’s operational, safety, and procedural standards, ensuring they are job-ready the moment they graduate.
CAPA, recognized as the world’s first flight school to implement the MPL framework, offers a specialized curriculum that provides cadets with a seamless transition from training to professional pilot roles. This clear and direct pathway is particularly attractive to aspiring pilots who want a streamlined route to employment with a leading airline like SAS.
The MPL program also emphasizes teamwork and communication, both of which are critical for successful multi-crew cockpit operations. Cadets are trained from day one to operate as part of a multi crew team, preparing them for modern airline environments.
JETTIME
AND CENTER AIR PILOT ACADEMY COLLABORATES ON PILOT TRAINING
Jettime and Center Air Pilot Academy have entered into a new collaboration, where Jettime will closely follow a group of new pilots throughout their pilot training. ‘The timing is perfect for a formal partnership,’ says Birthe Madsen, Director of Business Development at Jettime. In August, a new group of 12 pilot students started at Center Air Pilot Academy (CAPA) at Roskilde Airport. It is this group that Jettime will follow throughout their entire training program, which lasts 24 months. The aim of the collaboration is to meet the increasing demand for qualified commercial pilots.
“The partnership allows us to ensure a steady flow of well-trained pilots who can have a direct path to a career at Jettime,” says Birthe Madsen.
Jettime will be an active part of the pilots’ training, giving students a deeper understanding of what awaits them in a career as a commercial pilot. Jens Kristian Frost, director at CAPA, is very excited about the new collaboration. ‘It is a unique opportunity for our students to gain insight into a real airline like Jettime already during their training. It gives them a head start and a better understanding of what will be expected of them when they finish,’ he says.
A partnership at the right time
Jettime and CAPA will work closely together to develop training programs that prepare students for life in the cockpit. A representative from Jettime emphasizes that the collaboration benefits both parties and points out that the company has many years of positive experience with pilots from CAPA.
“We have had many skilled pilots from CAPA over the years and know that their training meets our standards. We anticipate an increasing demand for pilots, and it is important for us to have a solid source of new talent.”
Although Jettime typically prefers experienced pilots, they see great value in following the students from the beginning of their pilot training. ‘It gives us the opportunity to be a part of their development right from the start,’ adds Birthe Madsen.
Testing a new pilot training concept
This is the first time Jettime has entered into a partnership of this kind. During their training, the pilot students will visit Jettime’s hangar and Boeing 737 aircraft, as well as have the opportunity to spar with experienced pilots. ‘We want to test if being involved in their training from the start adds extra value to our company. We want to see if it positively affects both our culture and the students’ connection to Jettime,’ explains Birthe Madsen. On the students’ first day of school in August, Jettime’s chief pilot was present and returned with great enthusiasm after meeting the new students.
No job guarantee, but good opportunities
Although Jettime cannot promise all students a position after completing their training, there will be good opportunities to become part of the airline. ‘We cannot guarantee jobs for everyone, as we cannot precisely predict our demand for new pilots at that time, but it is still a fantastic opportunity for them,’ says Birthe Madsen. When a newly graduated pilot starts at Jettime, a thorough training program awaits, including a type rating for the Boeing 737, which is a great advantage for a newly qualified pilot. Jettime currently has 11 Boeing 737NG aircraft in its fleet and expects to expand with two more aircraft in the coming year.