Frequently Asked Questions

Toowoomba is home to Queensland’s Wellcamp airport and offers over 300 days of sunshine each year and an environment that is textbook for pilot training. The region itself is a great place to live, work and study.

Flight Training Adelaide Pty Ltd (FTA) is the training provider for the Academy site in Toowoomba. FTA provides world-class, customised pilot training solutions for the Australian aviation industry and some of the world’s leading airlines. FTA is focused on producing future airline captains, rather than simply training students to obtain a licence, with ongoing significant investment in next-generation aircraft and simulators.

The Academy is an ab-initio training school for students with little to no flying experience. Students will be able to qualify for the following CASA licences and ratings:

• Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL)
• Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating (ME IR)
• Airline Transport Pilots Licence (ATPL) theory
• Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC)

No. Qantas Group Pilot Academy graduating students who have successfully completed all the above course requirements by their graduation date will be extended an invitation to attend a Qantas Group Accelerate Assessment Centre. If successful, graduates may be eligible for employment as a pilot with QantasLink, Jetstar or Network Aviation Australia.

Academy graduates are provided a link to update their experience and are prioritised for future recruitment opportunities.

Yes. The Qantas Group Future Pilot Program provides the Qantas Group Pilot Academy students the opportunity to be mentored by Qantas Group pilots. Additional professional development modules are delivered on site by Qantas Group pilot facilitators.

The Qantas Group Pilot Academy will offer you;

• Qantas Group Future Pilot Program (benefits highlighted above),
• The highest level of training delivered by FTA,
• Premium conditions for flight training in Toowoomba,
• Access to brand new state-of-the-art training, residential and recreational facilities,
• Access to payment options, and
• Access to a range of scholarships.

No. There are no funded cadetships available with Qantas Group airlines.

The Qantas Group Pilot Academy graduating students who have successfully completed all course requirements by their graduation date will be extended an invitation to attend a Qantas Group Accelerate Assessment Centre. If successful, students may be eligible for employment as a pilot with QantasLink, Jetstar or Network Aviation Australia.

Academy graduates are provided a link to update their experience and are prioritised for future recruitment opportunities.

The program has very strong elements of maths and science and it is desirable that you have a thorough understanding of these subjects at a Year 12 level, as well as:

• Senior secondary (Year 12) Certificate of Education, or
• Certificate IV or higher in the Australian Qualifications Framework, or
• Similar overseas qualification assessed by a Federal/State government agency, or
• Results of exit level 3 or above in the Australian Core Skills Framework in reading and numeracy (organised by FTA).
• If you're a current Year 12 student you may apply for pre-selection. If you're selected, a course offer would be pending meeting one of the above criteria.

At this stage the academy is only accepting applications from Australian Citizens or holders of Australian Permanent Residency. If you don’t meet this requirement your application will not be considered at this stage.

You must be 18 years of age to commence the course. Application for pre-selection will be accepted from ages 17 and above.

Note: attendance for assessment under the age of 18 will require parental consent.

The course delivered at the academy is designed for someone with little or no previous flying experience.  Should you hold a PPL, the training provider, FTA, will assess your previous training and offer you an entry point in the course based on recognised prior learning. Preference will be provided to applicants with lower hours.

If you currently hold a CPL, this course is not applicable to you at present.  The academy might consider offering stand-alone Multi Engine Command Rating, MCC or ATPL courses in the future, however this is currently not an option.

All applications are reviewed by FTA for suitability. 

Selected applicates will be asked to complete:

          a) approximately 10 hours of mandatory computer-based training and an online assessment on abbreviated aviation theory,

          b) aviation specific online Psychometric and Skills Assessments,

          c) a core skills test (if applicable, refer to question 8), and 

          d) an interview conducted by FTA’s COO, QGPA or Director of Operations and Training onsite at the Academy in Toowoomba. The interview will cover your test results, your understanding of the course requirements and your motivation for becoming a pilot.

Yes. There is a $200 fee payable on the day. If you're travelling to Toowoomba, Adelaide or other sites advertised for interview, then transport, accommodation and any associated costs will be at your own expense.

Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport is currently serviced by QantasLink flights directly from Sydney, with connections from across Australia and around the world. For students who choose to drive, the Academy is approximately ninety minutes from Brisbane Airport. Public transport connections are also available.

Yes.  You will not require a CASA medical certificate during the selection process. However, you will require a CASA Class 1 medical certificate before the course start date.

Applications will be reviewed after the published closing date. When the review for a specific course is complete, both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be contacted. Candidates are welcome to re-apply for future courses as they become available.

There are a number of courses planned in the coming months. Before completing the application form, you'll be asked to select a preferred commencement date based on availability. 

Check back regularly as we'll update the Qantas Group Pilot Academy webpage when new courses are announced.

The Qantas Group Pilot Academy has developed a scholarship program that aims to remove barriers to entry and strengthen the industry by enhancing diversity in the pilot population. For more information on scholarships and when they will become available, visit Qantas Group Pilot Academy. 

The scholarship is up to $30,000 Australian Dollars.

The scholarship covers the cost of housing and meals on-site during your period of study with the Academy. 

The scholarship value will be paid by the Qantas Group directly to Flight Training Adelaide and you will see a credit in your account reflecting that your accommodation and meals (while on-site) have been paid.

The scholarship will be paid on a monthly basis from The Qantas Group to Flight Training Adelaide. 

Selection will be based on the response to the questions outlined in the scholarship application form. An informal interview may be required as part of the process. 

If you do not successfully complete your approved course of study and/or leave the Qantas Group Pilot Academy prior to successful completion, you will not be required to pay back the portion of the scholarship used. 

At Qantas, sustainable, meaningful employment is critical to our vision for Reconciliation. Through our career and development opportunities, we aim to remove barriers to employment and promotion and to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to contribute meaningfully within their communities and in the workplace.

This scholarship provides First Nations Peoples with financial assistance towards the cost of on-site accommodation and meals during the period of study at the Academy. 

Qantas offers these scholarships on the basis that it considers that they constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and similar provisions of applicable State and Territory anti-discrimination legislation. 

The scholarships are, on this basis, open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples with Australian Citizenship. The successful candidates may be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. 

Qantas will accept either:

1. A letter of ‘Confirmation of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Descent’ provided by an Indigenous Community organisation which is stamped with the organisation’s common seal of certification; or
2. A Statutory Declaration which is accompanied by the following evidence:
   • Proof of genealogy, such as birth records or an official family tree; or
   • A letter from an Indigenous Organisation or Aboriginal Liaison Officer; containing the organisations letterhead, that recognises the person as Indigenous; or
   • A letter, including the organisations letterhead, from an Indigenous person employed in an Indigenous-identified position that recognises the person as Indigenous.

At Qantas, we are committed to increasing female representation across the aviation workforce; and attracting and retaining more women in careers such as aviation engineering, airport operations and pilots.

This scholarship provides females with financial assistance towards the cost of on-site accommodation and meals during the period of study at the Academy.

Qantas offers these scholarships on the basis that it considers that they constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under the provisions of applicable State and Territory anti-discrimination legislation.

The scholarships are, on the basis, open only to females with Australian Citizenship. The successful candidate may be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are female. 

Qantas will accept:

1. Australian birth certificate
2. Passport (Australian or foreign) or Drivers license (Australian or foreign) 

You will sign a contract with the training provider, FTA.

The full training course duration is 55 weeks. It is possible the course could be extended if weather conditions affect flying hours during this time.

Purpose built on-site accommodation facilities are available for Academy students. Residing on campus is not compulsory, however there are major benefits to taking up residence on campus.  The training program is very intense and demanding. Residing on campus will allow you to be fully immersed in an aviation training environment. Our full board facilities are designed to ensure that you can concentrate on your training and best dedicate your free time to study and revision as well as allowing you to connect with other students at different phases of training. Campus living will include:

• Three meals per day and snacks (all medical and religious needs are catered for)
• Free WiFi
• Linen and towels are provided and rooms are cleaned on a weekly basis
  
• Access to numerous sporting and recreational facilities free of charge
  
• Ideal location – no additional transport to/from the training facilities
• Welfare services
• On-site security

Note: the cost of accommodation is not included in the course fees.

Scholarships may be available to assist with the cost of on-site accommodation (refer to question 16).

The accommodation fees include three meals a day plus snacks for students residing on campus.

The program does not allow for long periods of leave. Should you need to go home for personal or medical reasons, FTA will work with you to minimise any impact on your training schedule.

The approximate cost of accommodation is $450 per week (subject to change). Find more information on the detailed costs per qualification.

Yes, provided that you meet the eligibility criteria.

Single engine training will be completed in the Diamond DA40 aircraft, and multi-engine training will utilise the DA42 aircraft. The commonality offered of instrument layout offered by the G1000 allows for a seamless transition from the single engine to the multi engine phase of training. The flight training component of the course will be supported by DA40 and DA42 flight training devices in order to offer a more qualitative and cost effective solution to students.

Yes. All training materials will be provided to you by the Academy. A loan iPad will be issued with electronic learning material, specific applications and operational procedures for training. You may bring a personal iPad or laptop; however, you will still be issued an iPad by the Academy.

These costs are not included in the course cost:

• Travel for testing to/from your home and the designated interview location
• $200 Online Psychometric and Skills Assessment
• Travel to/from Toowoomba for the Academy course
• Academy training uniform (approximately $650)
• Personal/incidental living costs.

Yes. Selection to commence a course is no guarantee of successful completion. Optimising chances of success will rely on personal dedication and application to study to complement the training provided.

Remedial training may be considered if an individual’s progress is not up to the standard required. Termination may also occur should a student fail to conduct themselves in accordance with the Academy’s standard of conduct.

You may direct your queries to QGPA@flyfta.com.