New pilot pathway program takes off at Swinburne

Swinburne is partnering with Qantas under a new pilot pathway program that will see aviation students eligible to enter the airline’s regional brand, QantasLink, as a Turboprop First Officer.

Under the Qantas Future Pilot Program, Bachelor of Aviation students will be mentored by experienced pilots during their degree.

Selected students will be invited to complete a fast-tracked 12 week airline transition course.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be eligible to enter the Qantas Group as a Turboprop First Officer with QantasLink.

Once employed by QantasLink, graduates will complete their training under the supervision of QantasLink’s experienced training team and go on to become qualified as First Officers flying the airline’s Dash 8 200/300 or Q400 fleet.

Swinburne’s Chair of Aviation, Stephen Fankhauser, says that the Qantas Future Pilot Program is the most significant change in 70 years to the process by which Australian airlines select flight crew with a low number of flying hours.

“Swinburne Aviation graduates have been sought after by the Qantas group for more than 20 years,” Mr Fankhauser says.

“Today’s announcement is not only an acknowledgement of the Swinburne aviation program but a recognition of the significant role that pilot training and education in the tertiary sector will play in effectively meeting the industry’s demand for future flight crew.”

To be eligible students will need to have an equivalent GPA of 4.0 (based on a GPA 7 point scale) or above for the duration of their Bachelor of Aviation degree and Australian work rights.

Applications are now open and students can visit qantas.com/careers for more information.

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