Mato Grosso launches free pilot‑training program for public‑school students

The Mato Grosso state government inaugurated the "Decolando" program on 22 June, offering a free, up‑to‑24‑month civil pilot training course to twenty students from public schools in Cuiabá and Várzea Grande. The curriculum includes theoretical instruction, performance assessments, medical exams, practical flight training, and the possibility of earning Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot, instrument‑flight, multi‑engine and aviation‑English qualifications.

Governor Otaviano Pivetta said the initiative shows that public education in Mato Grosso can take students to “places previously unattainable”. Education Secretary Flávia Soares highlighted the “pride in the eyes of parents” and the program’s potential to transform lives, while officials from public security and social assistance praised its role in inclusion and social mobility. Selected youths expressed excitement about the new career path and the support it provides their families.