Patria allies with Finnair Flight Academy to enter pilot training market outside Finland

Patria Pilot Training and Finnair Flight Academy have entered into an agreement on training cooperation, with the target of selling Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) pilot training to airlines operating the Airbus A320. The new MPL training programme will be marketed under the name Multifly. In the future, Multifly training will also be offered to operators using the Embraer 170/190 and ATR42/72.

As the first MPL training programme in Finland, Multifly differs from current flight training programmes by putting more emphasis on modern flight simulation during the training. More importantly, students are measured by the actual and achieved competence during their training. From the very beginning, Multi-Crew Cooperation, Threat and Error Management and Economical Flying Techniques will be integral elements of the program. As a result, the customer airline will receive an Airbus First Officer who, after having completed the 20-month programme, is trained to the airline's Standard Operating Procedures and company specific requirements.

The duration of the program is approximately 20 months and it is divided into four phases. Phases 1 and 2 are for basic flight training provided by Patria Pilot Training, while in phases 3 and 4 the advanced training is provided by Finnair Flight Academy.The first cadet intake for the programme is scheduled for early 2013.

“Multifly programme will bring together the best elements of Finnish know-how in the field of professional flight training. Patria offers extensive know-how in basic flight training for the Multifly product, as well as the most modern fleet in Europe with its Tecnam and Cirrus training aircraft. Finnair's superb reputation as an airline, Type Rating Training Organisation and Airbus operator provides a strong foundation for cooperation that seeks to address the growing worldwide shortage of pilots,” says Lassi Matikainen, President of Patria Aviation.

The development of the Multifly program is partially funded by Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation.
 

For further details contact:

• President of Patria Aviation Lassi Matikainen, Aviation, tel. +358 40 869 3351, or [email protected]
• Accountable Manager Mikko Paronen, Pilot Training, tel. +358 40 869 3113, or [email protected]

Patria s a trusted provider of defence, security and aviation life-cycle support services and technology solutions. Patria is owned by the State of Finland (73.2%) and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS N.V.) (26.8 %).
www.patria.fi

www.multifly.net