ITV Orders Docuseries on easyJet Pilots

LONDON: ITV has commissioned ITN Productions’ three-part docuseries easyJet: Inside the Cockpit (working title), which uses a mini fixed rig to go inside the cockpit and showcase what it takes to become an easyJet pilot.

easyJet: Inside the Cockpit is slated to air at 9 p.m. on ITV next year. In association with international airline pilot training and resourcing organization CTC Aviation, the series follows easyJet’s pilots-to-be from their acceptance into an airline pilot career program to their first solo flight and their first passenger flight. Using a mini fixed rig, the docuseries will bring viewers inside the cockpit with the rookie pilots. It also puts a spotlight on easyJet’s efforts to increase the number of female pilots, who currently make up just 5 percent of the world’s pilots.

The program was developed by ITN Productions’ Will Smith, the head of factual, and Dan Grabiner, the head of development. It was commissioned by ITV’s head of factual entertainment, Sue Murphy, and ITV’s factual commissioner, Satmohan Panesar.

Brian Tyrrell, head of flight operations for easyJet, said, “easyJet’s pilots are integral to the airline’s success. Safety is our number one priority so all new recruits undergo intensive and rigorous training and only the best are selected to fly for easyJet. We are really pleased to be able to show viewers female pilots at each stage of their careers and hopefully they will inspire a whole new generation of girls and women to what is a hugely rewarding career.”

Panesar commented: “easyJet changed the face of air travel when it was set up 21 years ago, and today they are an iconic brand. We are thrilled that they have partnered with ITV and we look forward to booking our ticket and following the dreams of wannabe pilots as they take to the skies for the first time.”

Smith remarked: “We are delighted to be working with easyJet and CTC on this series, which will show just what it takes to become a pilot at the U.K.’s busiest airline. It will be a fascinating insight into the ever-changing role of today’s pilot, which involves so much more than taking the controls at 30,000 feet.”