For over a year now the United States airlines have been promoting pilot job opportunities for Australian pilots (under the E3 program) and have been active in visiting Australia to conduct pilot recruitment roadshow events.

The resulting effect of this can be seen in Australian airlines as well as Flight School’s – the latest development is that the 77 aircraft airline Virgin Australia, the largest airline by fleet size to use the Virgin brand, has announced its latest First Officer pilot hiring requirement.

The airline is looking to hire new first officers for its Boeing 737 fleet which meet the following requirement;

• Non-type rated pilots
• Minimum requirement of 500 total command flight hours on any fixed-wing aircraft
• Minimum of 200 hours command on a multi-engined aircraft

This low minimum flight hour requirement is a sign of the growing demand and possible lack of supply of qualified airline pilots.

The airline is recruitment in line with its growth plans as it continues to take delivery of its order book of more than 20 Boeing 737MAX.

Photo Credit – Virgin Australia

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