Graduates

My interest in aviation was first piqued when I was in year 11. The school I went to had a physics teacher who had been a pilot for a number of years prior to becoming a school teacher, and he was still very passionate about aviation. As such, he ran a Basic Aeronautical Knowledge course as a co-curricular activity one afternoon a week during the school term. I did the course in year 11 and 12 because I found it that interesting. As I was planning for life outside of school towards the end of year 12 I found it difficult to imagine a career in aviation because that was not an industry anyone in my close family or friend circle was in. As such, I undertook studies in a different profession, and later gained employment in Katherine in the Northern Territory. In the Northern Territory, aviation is a foundational industry in ensuring people and goods are able to be transported through the wet and dry seasons. I spoke with quite a few pilots in Katherine, and found myself travelling to Tindal and Darwin for every fly past and flying display that I could. This encouraged me to research into different flight training options, which is how I found the academy. 

The academy was a fantastic whirlwind of a year (well, 55 weeks). Individually, and as a course, so much was accomplished in a very short period of time. The first few months were spent completing the required theory and flight training to prepare students for their first solo flight. I initially struggled with my confidence when learning how to land, but was incredibly well supported by the flight instructors, and did eventually conduct my first solo flight. The day of my first solo flight is something I will cherish. From there, the course moves through a syllabus of visual navigation flights and further theory to get students to a level where they can obtain their Commercial Pilot License. We were then back in the classroom for a number of months to complete the theory for the Air Transport Pilot License (ATPL) examinations. Honestly, this was a very dense few months. It is during this time in the course where I feel the support from course mates and the ground school instructors was absolutely pivotal to success. After completing the ATPL examinations I realised that the best part of the course was still to come. We then did our Multi-Engine class rating training, Instrument Rating training, and Multi-Crew Cooperation course. It was during this time where my confidence in flying increased significantly, and I began to feel confident in preparing for a career in the aviation industry. My time at the academy, and the people who I have met, definitely made 2023 a highlight year for me.

Upon completing the course at the academy in December 2023, I was inspired to get my Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) by the fantastic flight instructors who I had worked with. I undertook the FIR training at the Flight Training Adelaide campus in Parafield in South Australia, and obtained my FIR early in June 2024. I am currently looking for employment opportunities as a Flight Instructor.

Find an aero club or a flight school, or look up online aviation groups to find out what opportunities there may be near you to arrange a Trial Introductory Flight, which will then likely confirm for you that flying is what you would like to do. Then do as much research as you can about different pilot licenses, and different flight training options. With some flight training courses having Commonwealth Government loan options, the industry is hopefully becoming more accessible for people to get into. The aviation industry is filled with people who come to the industry at different ages, and with a variety of backgrounds and goals for their career, so it is never too late! 

Whilst aviation is an industry very much based on passion and interest, there is a tremendous amount of time and effort which must be invested by pilots, no matter how experienced, to ensure they are up to date with relevant procedures, law, theory, and flying techniques. It is often said that your pilot license is more a "license to learn" than anything else. Whilst you are involved in the aviation industry, you will never be bored or know all that there is to know. 

At the moment, my priority is to become employed as a Flight Instructor, and progress to be a Grade 1 Flight Instructor within a Standards team. I also hope to get a few more endorsements, aerobatics and float plane are two which particularly appeal to me. From there, I would like to explore my options for career progression, whether that be towards an airline or an organisation like the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Growing up in central Queensland my dad would fly in and out of Emerald each week for work. I remember waiting for Dad to arrive home on a QantasLink Dash 8 and always dreamed of flying.

For me becoming a pilot was a dream career that seemed unattainable prior to VET funding and pathways like the Qantas Group Pilot Academy, which made it possible for me to pursue it.

I look back on my time at the academy with fond memories and lifelong friendships. The academy has provided us with an excellent start to our career, laying the foundations for a career in aviation. The academy has excellent resources and passionate instructors and staff who helped guide us through our relevant theoretical examinations and build strong fundamental flying skills and techniques.

My favourite part of First Officer at QantasLink is the diverse and more hands-on flying we do. Bring a regional airline I love the varying airports and locations we fly into and the challenges associated with these different locations. In addition, I love the opportunity to be hands on with the aircraft manually manipulating the controls, rather than relying on automation when the conditions allow.

Take a trial introduction flight. This gives you an opportunity to try flying before investing heavily in a future in aviation.

I’m currently enjoying my time on the dash 8 and would love the opportunity to progress to a role as a captain for QantasLink. From there, hopefully there will be an opportunity for me to do a different type of flying looking to fly internationally for Qantas. If that doesn’t come to fruition, I have a strong passion for teaching so would love to be a part of the check and training department at QantasLink to help mentor, teach and guide future pilots.

Upon completing my training at the Qantas Group Pilot Academy I began the rigorous training to obtain an instructor rating. From here I was fortunate to obtain a role as a flight instructor at the academy. This was a real highlight of my career, helping further develop my skills, and my passion for teaching, while allowing me the opportunity to help the future pilots of today. It makes me proud and has been extremely rewarding seeing so many past students develop into the aviation professionals they are today and watch as they progress within the industry with their first flying roles.