On 29 January, the new pilot training centre established by the Qantas Group – Pilot Academy – opened its doors to the next generation of pilots to be educated in Toowoomba.

The 1,500 square metre hangar of the Academy contains four flight training simulators, classrooms as well as purpose-built pre-flight briefing and flight scheduling areas. For the flight training phase the training provider will use single-engine Diamond DA40 and multi-engine DA42 aircraft.

According to a statement, the new training facility will be able to accommodate up to 250 pilots to supplement the crews of Qantas, Jetstar and QantasLink, and not only.

Worth highlighting that the Pilot Academy will put a great focus on the increase of “the proportion of female and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pilots in the industry” to boost talent acquisition from distant areas.

“In its centenary year, Qantas will provide three scholarships for Indigenous students, each valued at $85,000, with future scholarships available for female students and candidates from regional and remote areas”, Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said.