Pilot Careers Live (PCL) – the operators of Europe’s largest series of annual flight training events – has opened applications for its inaugural Professional Flight Training Awards, recognising the achievements of both students and training providers across the industry.
The PCL awards celebrate attainment and dedication across ten categories. The awards ceremony will take place just before Pilot Careers Live London in March 2025.
The achievements of individual students will be recognised via separate categories reflecting the distinct challenges of the different licence routes, namely Modular, Integrated and MPL (Multi-Pilot Licence).
For training providers, PCL is also recognising instructors that go above and beyond in their training of students, as well as those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the safe and smooth operation of a busy school operation.
There are 10 award categories being offered this year.
Best Integrated ATPL Student
The Best Integrated Student category recognises someone who has consistently approached their training with a great attitude – someone who has met and dealt with the inevitable challenges and exceeded the high standards expected, while at the same time contributing positively both to their training environment and to their fellow students.
Best Modular ATPL Student
Modular students not only have to deliver the excellence that is required in all the normal flight training areas, but they face some extra challenges. They have to manage their own training to a greater extent than integrated students, often through multiple providers and usually while juggling work and home commitments alongside the financial planning required to fund the courses. PCL’s Best Modular ATPL Student recognises someone who has risen to these challenges while making a positive impact.
Best MPL Student
As a relative newcomer on the commercial pilot training scene, the MPL provides a direct route into the airlines for student pilots. With a stronger emphasis on co-piloting taking the place of the single pilot training CPL students typically go through, MPL training requires students to demonstrate a cooperative spirit and strong teamwork from the get-go. This award celebrates someone who’s excelled in the multi-crew environment of the MPL course.
Best Ground School Instructor
Whether they’re tackled in a classroom or at home via distance learning, the ATPL ground exams present a huge challenge to students of all ages. This category recognises an exceptional ground school instructor who has gone the extra mile to keep students engaged and efficiently share their knowledge of highly complex, highly technical subjects – often to people who’ve been out of education for a while.
Best Sim Instructor
Flight training in a simulator forms a key part of a student’s commercial pilot journey and continues to play an important role through regular sim checks once they’re working for an airline. But being a good flight instructor doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be a good sim instructor thanks to the particular skills needed to operate a sim and the conducting of training that wouldn’t be possible on a real aircraft. This award celebrates an individual who has mastered the art of teaching on a sim and the pushing of boundaries this entails.
Best Flight Instructor
The flight instructor is perhaps the most influential figure in a student pilot’s life – someone whose knowledge, teaching style and manner combine to teach the skills someone needs for a flying career within the time and financial constraints of a commercial training organisation. This award recognises a flight instructor who has consistently achieved great results for their students, who has acted as a mentor and demonstrated the skill and compassion needed for this rewarding career.
Most Supportive Student
Commercial pilot training is a highly stressful, highly pressured time in a student’s life, and many rely on the support of peers to get them through the long hours required to complete an ATPL course. This category is awarded to a student pilot who has gone out of their way to support their fellow students, even while under intense pressure themselves.
Significant Contribution to Professional Flight Training
Our equivalent of a lifetime achievement award, this category recognises the contribution of an individual who has gone above and beyond in the world of professional flight training. Whether it’s placing an exceptional number of candidates in their dream jobs or spending decades keeping the training fleet in peak condition, this is awarded to someone whose dedication has spanned a significant amount of time and impacted a huge number of professional pilots.
Sustainable Initiative
With all eyes on the industry to make aviation more sustainable, this category recognises an effective initiative implemented by an organisation in the commercial pilot training sector – one that has made a demonstrable impact on its carbon footprint.
Achievement Through Adversity
Professional pilot training is tough at the best of times, but for some people the path is made more challenging by difficult circumstances beyond their control. This award recognises someone who’s achieved a flying career dream against all the odds, demonstrating the courage, dedication and tenacity required to allow nothing to get in the way of them succeeding on their chosen career path.
To nominate an individual, visit the official Awards page . Nominations close on 14 February 2025.
Winners will be selected by a panel of independent industry experts and announced at an awards evening on 21 March at the Sofitel Hotel, Heathrow T5, which is also the location for the PCL London event taking place the following day.