ALAS, Copa Airlines’ Pilot Academy, Graduates 42 New Panamanian Aviators
ALAS, the Copa Airlines pilot academy, celebrated the graduation of 42 new Panamanian commercial pilots who will soon join the airline’s flight operations. This graduating class stands out for its significant female representation of 33%, aligning with the projected fleet growth and the strengthening of the Hub of the Americas.
Excellence in Training and Diversity in Aviation
The latest graduating class from ALAS completed a rigorous program of technical training and decision-making under pressure. Of the 42 graduates, 14 are women—a milestone coinciding with Women’s Month that reflects the growing interest among women in commercial aviation careers.
Captain Pedro Herrera, Director of ALAS, emphasized that training goes beyond technical study, requiring constant discipline and training to meet the demands of the sector. Since its founding, the academy has trained nearly 300 Panamanian pilots who currently serve as First Officers and Captains within the airline.
Career Opportunities and Financial Support
A fundamental pillar of this class is the development of internal talent. Five Copa Airlines employees completed their pilot training:
- Four from the In-flight Service team (Cabin Crew).
- One from the administrative staff of the ALAS academy itself.
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Access to this professional training was driven by various financing mechanisms aimed at democratizing the career. 61% of the graduates received support from the Institute for the Training and Development of Human Resources (IFARHU), while 52% were beneficiaries of the Copa–Panamanian Union of Commercial Aviators (UNPAC) scholarship. Additionally, the academy recently launched a grant program for full and partial scholarships to further expand these opportunities.
Technical Infrastructure and Growth Projections
To ensure state-of-the-art preparation, ALAS students conduct their flight training in a modern fleet consisting of 10 Diamond aircraft:
- 8 Diamond DA40NG (Single-engine).
- 2 Diamond DA42NG (Multi-engine).
Currently, 191 students are progressing through various stages of their training, 30% of whom are women. This pipeline of new professionals is vital for the company’s expansion plans.
“The training of new pilots is key to supporting our operational growth. We project the induction of more than 350 pilots over the next three years,” stated Captain Bolívar Domínguez González, Vice President of Flight Operations for Copa Airlines.
Requirements for Applicants
ALAS maintains an open selection process throughout the year for Panamanian citizens or naturalized youths interested in aviation. The basic requirements include:
- Minimum age of 19 years.
- High school diploma.
- Advanced English language proficiency.
- Successful completion of medical and psychological evaluations by the Civil Aviation Authority (AAC).
The academy operates as a non-profit institution subsidized by Copa Airlines, allowing it to offer costs significantly lower than the industry average. Interested parties can apply via email at reclutamiento@alaspanama.com or by visiting their website.
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Un apasionado por la aviación, Fundador y CEO de Aviación al Día.