Study plan for Qantas

Pilot academy to train pupils early morning and late into night

STUDENTS at the Qantas Pilot Academy at Wellcamp Airport will have to take classes early in the morning and late into the night when it opens next year.

UK-based pilot training provider L3 will train pilots at the facility for Qantas.

Training VP Colin Rydon said an average day for students would vary depending on the area of training they were undergoing.

“For those who are in the theoretical knowledge stage of the training it will involve classroom-based work throughout the day and revision... most of the other time,” Mr Rydon said.

“Schedules for those in the flight training stage will vary depending on the flights they are undertaking. These flights can operate from very early in the morning to late into the night and take place seven days a week.

“Outside this time students will be preparing for the next flight or stage of training and revisiting aspects learnt earlier on the course.”

Mr Rydon said the exact specifications of the course were still being worked on.

“But we expect them to be similar to the courses being run at our other sites,” he said.

“The course will be designed in collaboration with Qantas. We will be seeking to ensure that it provides a modern curriculum that is suited to both for the airline’s own unique environment and the wider aviation environment.”

L3 runs several pilot training schools around the world.

Early works have begun on the Qantas Pilot Academy.

Photo: Nev Madsen FUTURE STUDENTS: At the launch of the Qantas Academy two weeks ago are (from left) USQ aviation student Tom Fanshawe, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and student Kimberley Pike. The students are likely to learn to fly during all hours of the day and night if they’re accepted into the Qantas Pilot Academy.