MAB Academy Head of Training to Share ‘Cadet to Chief’ Leadership Insights at APATS 2025

We are delighted that Captain Mohamad Khairul, the Head of Training at MAB Academy, will be among the speakers at APATS 2025 in Singapore. His presence underscores the calibre of leadership attending this year’s premier aviation training event, offering invaluable perspectives for our audience keen to engage with leading figures in the field.

Captain Khairul brings extensive experience in pilot training, regulatory compliance, and competency-based learning. Passionate about innovation, he has driven the modernisation of training methodologies, integrating digital learning solutions and aligning MAB Academy's curriculum with international standards. As a respected speaker and industry advocate, Captain Khairul regularly shares his insights on competency-based training, sustainability, and next-generation pilot development at forums such as APATS.

Attendees will have the exclusive opportunity to hear Captain Khairul on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, from 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM MYT, in the ATO / Ab Initio section of the conference. He will join a panel discussion titled “Cadet to Chief: Leadership Development Results,” offering a highly anticipated one-year update on MAB Academy’s initiative.

Introduced at APATS 2024, the "Cadet to Chief" (C2C) programme is an innovative approach to pilot training and leadership development within Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG). It was designed to bridge the gap between technical flight training and crucial corporate leadership competencies, fostering long-term success for cadet pilots.

This session will delve into the tangible progress made since the programme’s inception, highlighting key milestones achieved and challenges encountered during implementation. Captain Khairul will share insights into how pilots have adapted to structured exposure in various operational roles, how their understanding of airline business dynamics has evolved, and the observable impact on their leadership potential.

Based on surveys and performance tracking, the C2C initiative has demonstrated significant improvements in pilot engagement with organisational strategy, operational efficiency, and cross-functional teamwork.

While acknowledging challenges such as initial resistance to non-traditional training pathways and the continuous need for curriculum adaptation, the session promises valuable takeaways. Airlines and training organisations looking to modernise pilot training by integrating early leadership development will gain practical insights into what has worked, what needs refining, and how this pioneering initiative is shaping the future of pilot development at MAG.

Don't miss the chance to gain unparalleled insights from Captain Mohamad Khairul and other industry leaders. Register for APATS 2025 today and join us in Singapore!