The new Qantas Group Pilot Academy is officially open for applications
More than 22,000 Aussies want to be a Qantas pilot. Now the airline’s taking applications for its new pilot academy in Queensland that will have trainers from Adelaide. SEE HOW TO APPLY
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Qantas is taking the next step in its plan to help solve the global pilot shortage by opening applications to its new Qantas Group Pilot Academy today.
The new academy will receive its first student intake in Toowoomba from September, and has a course designed to train students with little to no flying experience.
Students will graduate with a number of qualifications including a Commercial Pilot Licence, and will be ready to commence a career in commercial or general aviation.
They will join the Qantas Group’s pilot talent pool and have access to job opportunities with the airline’s partners.
It comes as estimates suggest that 790,000 more pilots will be needed worldwide in the next 20 years with around one third of them in the Asia Pacific.
Qantas will also be offering a scholarships program which will number of grants available to cover the cost of accommodation through to full training.
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Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said more than 22,000 people have so far registered their interest in the academy, which would train the next generation of Australian pilots.
Around 17 per cent of those registered their interest in the academy are female, and Qantas has said they plan to address this gender imbalance.
“Qantas has a proud history for having some of the best pilots in the world. We want to attract passionate young men and women to learn from the best, to become the best,” he said.
Qantas has also appointed Flight Training Adelaide as the training provider for students at the Toowoomba site.
FTA will bring a mix of modern single and twin-engine aircraft with glass cockpits to support the training with a mentoring program involving of some of the Qantas Group’s most senior pilots.
“We’ve partnered with FTA, a leading training provider, and will offer purpose-built facilities and student accommodation,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Toowoomba site will be a world-class training school for future pilots, not just for the Qantas Group but for the broader industry, too.”
Toowoomba was announced last year as the first of two locations for Qantas’ academy, chosen from a shortlist of nine regional cities.
Alice Springs, Bendigo, Busselton, Dubbo, Launceston, Mackay and Wagga Wagga are all still under consideration for the second academy site.
“We’re conscious there are several regional cities still waiting to hear whether they have been successful as the home of our second academy and we really appreciate their patience, as we focus on getting the first site to this stage,” My Joyce said.
While the final construction of the academy takes place in the coming months, students will
be accommodated at the University of Southern Queensland.
Keen pilots can apply at qantas.com/pilotacademy
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