Page 47 - World Airnews Magazine March 2020 Edition

FLIGHT FLIGHT
SCHOOL SCHOOL

QANTAS OPENS FLIGHT

TRAINING ACADEMY

antas has officially opened its

Qnew pilot academy fl ight training
school in Toowoomba, Australia.
The airline said the academy has the
capacity to train up to 250 pilots a year
with the goal of building “a long-term
talent pipeline” for Qantas, Jetstar
and QantasLink.
The first class of 34 students has started

training with an additional 100 students

expected to begin by the end of the year.
“Opening our new pilot academy is a
historic moment for Qantas, for aviation
in Australia and for the thousands of fu-
ture pilots who will learn how to fly here
in Toowoomba,” said Qantas Group CEO
Alan Joyce.

“Qantas Group pilots have a long-held uates will finish the twelve-month training simulators, classrooms, and pre-flight

reputation for being amongst the best in course with a CASA commercial pilot briefing and flight scheduling areas. Flight

the world because of their high standards licence and join the Qantas Group’s pilot training is completed in Diamond DA40

UNITED TO OWN AND of training, and that tradition continues talent pool. and DA42 aircraft. Qantas is also consider-

ing opening a second campus in Mackay,
with the launch of our own pilot academy.”
Academy facilities include a 1500m²

According to the airline, academy grad- (16,145 feet ²) hangar, four flight training Queensland, also in Australia. Q
OPERATE A FLIGHT
TRAINING ACADEMY
United will drive enrollment of women and minorities
specifically

of becoming a United pilot. The airline cial institutions with the goal of making

anticipates hiring more than 10,000 pilots attractive financing terms - such as indus-

nited Airlines has further ex- by 2029. try-tailored grace periods and competi-

Upanded its innovati ve Aviate pilot "We have developed the Aviate tive interest rates - available to qualified

programme by signing a purchase agree- programme in collaboration with the Air individuals. Additionally, United plans to

launch a scholarship programme specifi-
ment to become the only major US carrier Line Pilots Association, International cally focused on encouraging women and
to own a flight training academy. to have greater influence on the next minorities to consider joining the United

The United Aviate Academy will give the generation of aviators at United," said family. The airline will provide more details

airline more visibility and direction over the Captain Bebe O'Neil, United's managing regarding these financing options as they

recruitment, development and training of director of Aviate. become available.
future pilots, enabling United to increase "Launching our own academy provides
the percentage of women and minorities us with the unique opportunity to not only AVIATE: LOVE TO FLY, BORN TO

who become pilots. United expects approx- ensure we maintain the ideal number of LEAD
imately 300 students to graduate from the quality candidates within our pilot pipeline, Last year, United launched Aviate as an

United Aviate Academy in its first full year but also play a significant role in recruit- innovative pilot recruitment and develop-

of operation. ing, developing and welcoming those with ment programme. Those who apply and

The flight training academy - currently diverse backgrounds to the United family." are successful in the selection process will

operating as Westwind School of Aero- In addition to launching the flight receive a programme acceptance job offer

nautics in Phoenix, Arizona - will be an ex- academy, United plans to reduce financial with United.
tension of the airline's Aviate programme, barriers to joining the program, making Please note hiring criteria requires the
a pilot development and recruitment the dream of becoming a United pilot even right to work in the US - either as a citizen

programme that offers aspiring aviators the more accessible to more individuals. The or green card holder. United is not spon-

most direct path to achieve their dreams carrier is currently engaging with finan- soring visas for pilots. Q
World Airnews | March 2020 World Airnews | March 2020
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