Sky's the limit for student pilots now offered advanced flight training

UNSW has become the first university in the country approved under new legislation by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority to provide integrated Commercial Pilot Licence training, which allows a 50 flying hour discount compared to non-integrated courses. 

“The UNSW School of Aviation is very proud to announce that we have become an accredited flying training operator under Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 142,” says Head of School Professor Jason Middleton.

“UNSW is the only Australian university with this advanced training certification. This unique opportunity will even further improve our graduates’ prospects for successful careers in the aviation industry.”

Advanced flight training, which will include Multi-Crew Coordination and Aeroplane Systems, will be provided as part of a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Flying, with the MCC and systems courses to be submitted to CASA for approval shortly.

The development complements a new partnership between UNSW Aviation and QantasLink which gives UNSW flying students the unique opportunity to prepare for possible future selection by QantasLink for training as First Officers.

Advanced flight training at UNSW to prepare pilots for type endorsement by airlines will be conducted on two newly purchased state-of-the-art flight training devices installed at UNSW’s Flying Operations Unit at Bankstown Airport.

The Pacific Simulators 4.5 flight training device has a 180 degree wrap-around screen, and is representative of a two-pilot jet transport aeroplane with weight and performance characteristics similar to a Boeing 737-800.

The Aerosim DASH 8 Q400 virtual procedures trainer is used to train pilots in advanced systems and navigation specific to the 74-seat Bombardier Dash-8 Q400 passenger aircraft used by Qantaslink.

UNSW Aviation and QantasLink announced their new partnership earlier this year.

Student pilots who are selected to become “QantasLink Approved Students” will be mentored by experienced QantasLink pilots during their studies and their progress will be monitored by the airline. 

If successful, they will be considered for employment by QantasLink after graduation.

Usually new pilots are only considered for employment with an airline after completing a minimum of 1000 hours of flying, which is most often gained by working as a flying instructor, or in a remote area conducting single-pilot charter.