New partnership to help trainee pilots fund training

AFTA, Elevate, and Clonmel Credit Unions unite to create a vital finance solution, opening the skies for aspiring commercial airline pilots in Ireland.

Atlantic Flight Training Academy pilot instructors and pilot cadets.

The Cork-headquartered Atlantic Flight Training Academy (AFTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Elevate and Clonmel Credit Unions for the development of a dedicated finance solution for aspiring commercial airline pilot students in Ireland.

The initiative follows a recommendation contained within the Pathfinder for Irish Aviation report, a strategic blueprint for the future development of Ireland's aviation sector. The report was commissioned by Irelandia and authored by aviation experts Joe Gill and Eamonn Brennan. It identified access to pilot training finance as one of the key barriers facing aspiring pilots and called for the development of innovative funding solutions to support future generations entering the profession.

The cost of professional pilot training can exceed €100,000, placing it beyond the reach of many young people despite strong demand for pilots across the global aviation industry.

The MOU has been developed through collaboration between AFTA, Clonmel Credit Union, Elevate, Irelandia and key stakeholders involved in advancing the recommendations of the Pathfinder report.

Mark Casey, Founder and CEO of AFTA, said for many years, talented individuals with the ability and determination to become professional pilots have not had a clear pathway to finance their training. "This agreement marks an important milestone in addressing that challenge and opens up new opportunities for future generations of pilots," he said.

Padraig Enright, CEO of Clonmel Credit Union, said: “This scheme shows the power of credit unions when they work hand in hand with the right partners. By combining our community-rooted lending model with AFTA's world-class training expertise, we're opening the flight deck to talented young people who might otherwise never get the chance. That's the cooperative difference — capital with a conscience, inclusive and creating opportunities” 

Roy McKnight, CEO of Elevate Credit Union said: “Credit unions have always punched above their weight, and the Aspiring Pilot Loan Scheme is a perfect example of what's possible when we think ambitiously. It demonstrates that cooperatives can innovate and compete, staying true to what we're here for: members and our communities."

Joe Gill said the “Pathfinder” report identified such a fund as key to unlocking the opportunity to expand pilot training at Irish airports and support the growth of Irish and global airlines.

"It is fitting that credit unions are central to this fund because they have always provided finance that gives opportunity to all income and demographic cohorts," he said.

"The signing of the MOU represents the beginning of a formal collaboration between the organisations, with further details on the pilot finance initiative expected to be discussed at the upcoming Atlantic Flight Training Academy Open Day in Cork on August 8.