University of South Australia Welcomes Record Female Intake for Pilot Course and Second Jetliner Simulator

The University of South Australia is celebrating the highest intake of women enrolled in its aviation programs in its history, since becoming the first university in Australasia in 1995 to offer tertiary qualifications in the sector.

Females now account for 30 per cent of UniSA’s aviation students, defying trends in a male dominated industry where women make up just six per cent of the Australian aviation workforce.

The milestone is another win for UniSA, following the recent installation of its second simulator – based on the Airbus A320™ – at its Mawson Lakes campus, adjacent to Parafield Airport in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.

The new simulator now sits alongside the Boeing 737™ model, providing UniSA’s aviation students with the only opportunity in Australia to train in cockpits based on the two most popular jetliners in the world.

UniSA Aviation Program Director Daniel Kwek says students will gain a competitive advantage on graduation, receiving training on both Boeing and Airbus based flight simulators, incorporating virtual and augmented reality.

“The simulators are excellent training devices in themselves, saving lives and money, and we have taken this a step further by introducing VR goggles,” Kwek says. “This will allow students to fully immerse themselves in the flying experience.”

Dean of Programs at UniSA STEM, Professor Abelardo Pardo, says UniSA’s aviation students get the best of both worlds – extensive professional tuition and practical experience through the simulators and on-site training, delivered by Flight Training Adelaide (FTA) at Parafield Airport, located near the campus.

“Parafield is not a large commercial airport, but the third busiest in Australia and has all the infrastructure and features that make it a powerful training resource for students wanting to become commercial pilots,” Prof Pardo says.

FTA has just signed a new three-year contract with UniSA to deliver flight training and theory for UniSA’s aviation students.

Aviation student Georgia Ho Wing Tung is one of 300 international aviation students at UniSA. She has relocated from Hong Kong to complete a three-year Bachelor of Aviation (Pilot).

“I chose to study at UniSA because it offers practical experience at one of the busiest airports in Australia,” Wing Tung says. “It’s like putting yourself into a reality situation, making flying more challenging but also preparing you really well for your career after graduation.”

The upside for current students is that they will graduate on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic curve, filling job vacancies created by mass pilot layoffs and early retirement.

“There has never been a better time to study aviation because the sector is going to demand a very large number of pilots in the coming years and our aviation graduates will be in the box seat,” Prof Pardo says.

The achievements are being celebrated on International Civil Aviation Day – Wednesday 7 December 2022.

Source: University of South Australia Press Release

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Australian Simulator Training Center is Looking to Hire a Simulator Manager

Bankstown, Australia based ACE Training Centre is looking for a Simulator Manager to manage its state of the art AW139 Full Flight Simulator and other simulator devices. Please see an extract of the job post below.

“Company Description
Toll Helicopters is Australia’s premier provider of specialised mission-critical helicopter services to clients including NSW Ambulance and the Australian Army. With extensive experience in helicopter maintenance, operations and training, our staff are some of the most highly experienced and well-trained aviation professionals in the country.

Located at Bankstown Airport, The ACE Training Centre is a purpose-built facility, incorporating state-of-the-art simulation that includes a Level D AW139 Full Flight Simulator. The ACE is also the sole Leonardo Helicopters Authorised Training Centre for Oceania.

Job Description
We have a unique opportunity to join Toll Group in our Helicopters business as a Simulator Manager. Reporting to The ACE-Training Centre General Manager, the Simulator Manager will be responsible for managing all technical oversight of the AW139 Full Flight Simulator and other aviation simulation training devices at The ACE-TC to ensure continued compliance with regulatory technical standards and equipment manufacturer maintenance requirements.

This position also liaises with, and manages, the sub-contracted technical support service provider to ensure ongoing availability and fidelity of the Full Flight Simulator and other training devices.

For a suitable candidate who lacks specific Simulator experience, training in the role can be provided.

Job Description

AW139 Full Flight Simulator usage reporting including customer usage.
Customer and Sub-Contractor liaison.
Develop and review procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of ACE-TC simulation training devices
Investigate training device defects, and gather and submit authoritative data and findings to contracted support organisations to support defect closure activities
Develop and present options for enhancing training devices at The ACE-TC
With the assistance of Full Flight Simulator sub-contractor, direct and report results of operator validation activities applied to the Full Flight Simulator.
When necessary, conduct Full Flight Simulator start-up activities in preparation for training, and device shutdown procedures post training
Provide advice to the management team in relation to acquisition, delivery, certification, verification and validation of modifications to the Full Flight Simulator and other training devices
Direct the ongoing Full Flight Simulator standardisation and routine compliance fly out profiles
ACE Training Centre building / facilities management.

Qualifications
To be successful in this role, you will need:

Previous experience in the aviation industry, specifically with Full Flight simulator experience would be an advantage
Avionics qualification, with experience as a Simulator Technician or equivalent technical and governance experience in a related filed is essential
Strong judgment to identify and interpret issues and risks, and ability to escalate effectively and appropriately
Previous experience working within a regulated environment would be an advantage
A working knowledge of quality management systems, auditing processes and Risk Management techniques
Ability to interact with a diverse team at all levels of the organisation’s hierarchy
Ability to work both autonomously and in a close team environment
Strong ability to build relationships and influence”

To learn more about this job and to apply, click here.

Photo Credit: Toll Helicopters

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Asian Flag Carrier Signs Pilot Training Agreement for Hundreds of Pilots Per Year with US Flight School AeroGuard Flight Training Center

AeroGuard Flight Training Center, one of the largest global flight training academies in the U. S., is excited to announce the signing of a long-term agreement with Cathay Pacific as part of the airline’s plans to train several hundred new pilots per year in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A.. AeroGuard has over 20 years experience training more than 7,000 pilots from all over the world and will now support Cathay Pacific in their efforts to prepare for a global recovery of airline travel following the pandemic.

AeroGuard will support Cathay Pacific with two training programs – one for those joining the airline with no prior flight experience and another for pilots looking to convert their licenses to the Hong Kong standard. Under these programs Cathay Pacific plans to train over 1,000 cadet pilots by 2025, increasing capacity yearly to meet the growing travel demand expected within the premier Asian aviation hub.

Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton, and member of the House Subcommittee on Aviation, assisted AeroGuard in securing and expediting the training program approval with the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Representative Stanton’s support was invaluable in making sure the approvals were obtained in a timely fashion. Training will take place at AeroGuard’s Phoenix, Arizona campus and is expected to bring over $100MM of export activity and nearly 200 highly skilled jobs to the region within the aviation industry, further establishing the region’s reputation as a world class leader in flight training.

Joel Davidson, AeroGuard’s CEO said “AeroGuard is extremely proud to announce this partnership with Cathay Pacific, one of the most respected airlines in the world, known for their high level of quality and professional standards. As the aviation industry rebounds across the globe following the pandemic, AeroGuard plans to train hundreds of future pilots for Cathay Pacific.”

These new Cathay Pacific flight training programs are expected to take students approximately 10 months to complete with AeroGuard, taking students from no flight time to becoming a commercially rated pilot. Prior to flight training, students will complete ground school classes at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and then after completing the program with AeroGuard they will return to Cathay Pacific for their line training, after which they will start flying for the award-winning airline.

The program structure takes advantage of AeroGuard’s world renowned training expertise in addition to several environmental factors that make AeroGuard’s four campuses premier worldwide flight training destinations. With ideal weather conditions, flight training is possible more than 350 days a year, and when combined with ample planes and flight instructors, students will be able to complete the program and fill pilot staffing needs quickly.

AeroGuard has over 20 years of experience training pilots from over the world including the Chinese Mainland, South Korea, Vietnam, and more, and is looking forward to welcoming cadets from Hong Kong within these programs.

Tim Burns, Cathay Pacific’s General Manager Flying said “We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with AeroGuard to provide our cadet pilots with the opportunity to learn and gain valuable flight experience at such a premier flight training school. Our people are very important to us and our success as an airline, and this partnership with AeroGuard will help us maintain a strong pipeline of talent that will enable us to continue to provide the exemplary standards of service and operational excellence that underpin the Cathay Pacific brand.”

Cathay Pacific’s first class of student pilots completed their ground school training in Hong Kong and started at AeroGuard earlier this month, with additional classed planned throughout 2023 and beyond.

About Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is the home airline of Hong Kong with over 75 years of history and a founding member of the oneworld global alliance. The Cathay Pacific Group also comprises low-cost airline HK Express and express freighter airline Air Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific is a member of the Swire Group and is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

About AeroGuard Flight Training Center

AeroGuard Flight Training Center is one of the U.S.’s most successful flight schools, offering accelerated commercial pilot training to candidates from all over the world. With a commitment to safety and student success, AeroGuard has a proven history of training airline-ready pilots, with over one million flight hours of training experience and graduating over 7,000 cadets.

Source: AeroGuard Flight Training Center Press Release
Photo Credit: Cathay Pacific

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One of New Zealand’s Largest Flight Schools Signs up with Aviationfly to Expand Marketing Outreach with Aspiring Pilots

The International Aviation Academy of New Zealand (IAANZ) is one of New Zealand’s largest flight training schools and a preferred training provider for Air New Zealand and Vietnam Airlines. IAANZ has signed up with Aviationfly to expand its marketing activities to meet the increasing global demand for highly skilled and qualified pilots.

Based at Christchurch International Airport, IAANZ is a Category 1 NZQA provider accredited to provide New Zealand Aviation qualifications and offers a professional training environment with a track record for excellence and innovation in teaching. IAANZ offers a variety of flight training options to domestic and international students including NZ diplomas, training schemes, MCC courses, pilot interview preparation courses, online theory and other short courses. The fleet of 28 aircraft is internally maintained, and cadets have daily access to the skies. The theory is taught using eAviator, an eLearning platform created by IAANZ that is now extensively used by students and instructors worldwide.

IAANZ is looking to continue to grow its student pilot population and has signed up with Aviationfly for it to be listed on Aviationfly’s Flight School Directory.

About Aviationfly

Aviationfly is a digital platform which works with Flight Schools to connect them to a larger global audience of aspiring pilots – receiving over 90,000 website visits per month and having a database of over 60,000 aspiring pilots. To learn more about how to become a partner of Aviationfly click here.

Photo Credit: IAANZ

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Australian Simulator Training Center, Proflight Training, is Looking to Expand Q400 Flight Instructors

Proflight Training, an independent CASA approved Part 142 training organisation delivering DHC8 & A320 Type Ratings, ATPL licence training and testing, is looking for Q400 Flight Instructors.

Successful applicant must have (or be eligible to hold) an Australian Flight Crew Licence with Flight Instructor Rating and DHC8 Training approval. Previous experience instructing on the Q400 is essential and experience on type desirable.

To learn more about the job and to apply, click here.

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