FTA pilot academy Toowoomba and Qantas award scholarships to Allegra Taylor, Jasmine Kovacs, graduate Beth Acton | careers

Women make up just five per cent of commercial pilots globally. Here’s how a well-known airline and a Toowoomba-based academy is creating a more diverse workforce.

At the Qantas Pilot Academy at Wellcamp Airport are (from left) Thomas Fanshawe, Jasmine Kovacs, Allegra Taylor and Beth Acton. Picture: Rhylea Millar

From the first moment Allegra Taylor stepped onto a plane as a child she fell in love with the idea of flying.

Now the 18-year-old is following in the footsteps of her dad, who works as a Qantas pilot, after becoming one of the airline’s newest scholarship recipients at its Toowoomba-based Pilot Academy.

Ms Taylor, who has been enrolled in the course for four weeks, is on the verge of completing her first subject and is set to hop in the pilot’s seat for the first time in the coming weeks.

“Because dad is a pilot I’m really grateful I had that exposure and travelled a lot as a child,” she said.

“I cannot imagine my life without flying … it’s just something that has always sparked a passion for me.”

At the Qantas Pilot Academy at Wellcamp Airport are (from left) Thomas Fanshawe, Jasmine Kovacs, Allegra Taylor and Beth Acton. Picture: Rhylea Millar

It comes after The Qantas Group announced the intake would almost double for the scholarship program which was first launched in 2020.

With women making up only five per cent of commercial pilot roles globally, the $1.5m investment is designed to encourage more workforce diversity, with a focus to recruit more female and Indigenous pilots.

The Pilot Academy course, designed in partnership with FTA at Wellcamp Airport, includes theory and practical based components.

Graduates of the 12-month program will receive three qualifications including a commercial pilot licence which would otherwise takes three years to complete.

Originally from Adelaide, Ms Taylor is now living at the Academy’s residential base at Wellcamp Airport and hopes to become a commercial pilot when she graduates.

“STEM is a really important career path and there’s a big push for women to enter the industry,” she said.

“I want to be a voice and a role model for younger women, particularly those who want to work in aviation one day.”

Joining Ms Taylor at the Toowoomba Academy will be Jasmine Kovacs, 22, who knew she wanted to be a pilot when she went on a trial flight in Coolangatta in 2018.

While she’s open to all opportunities, Ms Kovacs said she was most interested in flying passengers on long-haul, international flights.

“For women and First Nations people to be given this opportunity is fantastic,” she said.

“It can be a little nerve-racking to go into a male-dominated career but everyone has been so supportive, cheering for us on the sidelines.”

Beth Acton was one of the first students to graduate from the scholarship program in October 2020 and was initially studying architecture at university before taking the new route.

“I knew the nine to five desk job wasn’t for me and there’s no better office than a cockpit,” she said.

“(Stepping onto the plane as a solo pilot for the first time) especially after all the hard work I had put in was really emotional and adrenaline fuelled.

“This industry has some incredible women working in it already, so these scholarships are amazing for visibility and continuing that trend.”

At the Qantas Pilot Academy at Wellcamp Airport are (from left) Thomas Fanshawe, Jasmine Kovacs, Allegra Taylor and Beth Acton. Picture: Rhylea Millar

Ms Acton went on to complete an instructor course before accepting a role as a first officer with Qantas Link, flying a Dash-8 300.

Now based in Sydney, the qualified pilot travels to regional areas across Queensland and NSW.

Over the next five years, Qantas plans to award 50 Pilot Academy scholarships to students, accepting 10 annually through its competitive recruitment process.

Each scholarship is valued at up to $30,000 and includes accommodation, meals and utilities.

The academy is still accepting applications for the latest intake round and can be submitted online at qantas.com.au