Allan Dunne, who created the first UK CAA-approved Multi-crew Pilot Licence course, has joined Cardiff Aviation, the South Wales-based aircraft maintenance and flight training organisation, as Head of Flight Training.

Allan, 49, joins from Flight Training Europe (FTE) where he held a number of senior positions, including Head of Training, with the Spanish-based operation which he joined in 2006.

Allan’s appointment follows Cardiff Aviation’s acquisition of European Skybus flight training, which will be renamed Cardiff Aviation Training (CAT).

“The MPL vocational training course is a reflection and product of modern commercial aviation: it is aimed specifically at efficiently putting a pilot in the right hand seat of an airliner, and is based on an airline’s Standard Operating Procedures,” said Allan.

“For those unfamiliar with MPL, it means a pilot does not get the licence until he has actually flown an airliner, is far better placed to progress through the ranks, and reaches proficiency levels much faster. The student is, fundamentally, far better and more appropriately trained than somebody just building hours in the ATPL process. Line training is reduced, safety standards improve, and the training is dedicated to a specific airline.

“I have worked with the current Cardiff Aviation management team at several airlines over many years. The overall CA proposition, combining Pilot Training with MRO, Operations and ACMI Leasing services, is a tremendously strong one-stop shop proposition for anybody – whether a pilot or a new investor – starting in, or extending their involvement in, aviation.”

Allan is a career pilot, having flown as Captain and First Officer on aircraft ranging from BAC 1-11s to Boeing 757s. He has been involved in flight and pilot training since the mid 1990s.

CAT, which will remain in Bournemouth for the time being, is an Approved Training Organisation (UK/CAA GBR.ATO.0247) and can perform Type Ratings for Boeing 747 aircraft types, approved by the UK/CAA and JAA/EASA authorities.

Its Boeing 737, 747-200/300 Combi, B747-400, BAC 1-11 400/500, and Sikorsky S61N helicopter simulators are used by airlines and aircraft operators worldwide for initial flight crew training as well as MCC, JetOC, IR revalidations, recurrent and refresher training.

Cardiff Aviation was launched in mid-2012 by Iron Maiden vocalist and aviation entrepreneur Bruce Dickinson, who is himself a 7,000 hour Boeing 757 pilot, and Mario Fulgoni, a seasoned aviation chief executive and former airline captain. It has 132,000 square feet of hangar space capable of accommodating aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 767-300, and parking for up to 30 narrow bodied commercial airliners. St Athan has a 6,000 ft runway.

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