1990 Pilot Training Directory

With over a thousand experienced pilots now walking the streets all with training and expertise gained from operations in probably the world’s safest airline system, the long term planning for future pilot requirements is impossible to calculate. An added complication for the training school proprietors is that the major domestic airlines are all reducing their pilot numbers as they prepare for deregulation later this year.

At the time of writing nobody knows how many of the pilots will return to the airlines under the terms of the new contracts being offered or how many pilots will finally be recruited from offshore. Of those that remain in Australia how many will join Qantas and how many will accept jobs in airlines based in Asia whose conditions currently seem so appealing to an unemployed Australian Airline pilot?

The Asian carriers are also prime prospects for commercial pilot training contracts with the aviation colleges in Australia and, as the cost of training one cadet under the intensive live-in system can be worth up to $300,000, the reasons for concern are easy to see.

Many of the schools based their capital expenditure decisions on growth predictions for airlines currently operating and planned in the region. These included optimistic plans for pilots required for the aircraft to be operated by at least two new airlines flying on the inter-capital air routes post deregulation each of which will ultimately take in at least 100 aircrew.

Growth was also expected by the two large domestic trunk carriers in Australia and particularly East-West Airlines as it sought out new routes and its traffic figures went up as it fulfilled the demands of the predicted tourist boom. The perception of industry growth and a shortage of suitable new pilots was also encouraged by Qantas taking steps to increase the number of potential first and second officers for its Boeing 767 and 747s by signing on suitable commercial pilots with restricted experience and funding their additional training.

Another reason for concern in the training industry is a current slow down in the inclusive tour market in Europe which has previously provided many jobs for airline pilots.

This slow down was ideally timed for Australian and Ansett Airlines which were both urgently seeking capacity following the walkout of their pilots as they could negotiate their wet leases of aircraft leases in a buyer’s market. The possibility of a slow down has been further encouraged by Ansett delaying for an indeterminate time the opening of its airline pilot training college at Tamworth, NSW which it was to operate in partnership with British Aerospace. The opening, which had already been delayed, was previously said to be in April 1990.

Ansett say the delay is because of its inability to complete the required market surveys to decide on the viability of the college. The market surveys could not be completed because of the unknowns in the number of pilots required for its own operations and those in other airlines in the area. Ansett was to use the college to satisfy the demand for its own future pilot needs. The college, costing $45 million, was to be able to handle more than 200 students when it was in full swing and operate about 50 aircraft, mostly Pipers, as it was based on the successful British Aerospace School at Prestwick in south western Scotland. More than 120 staff would be employed.

The NSW government had recently increased funding approvals for works associated with the college on the big regional airport from $2m to $6m. In addition to increasing employment prospects in the town for experienced aviation ground and air instructors the college would also provide a host of employment prospects ranging from aero mechanics to cleaners and household staff. It also increases spending in the area of which a lot would go into local small businesses for everything from groceries to entertainment.

As they become successful on the local scene the big airline training colleges can attract much needed foreign exchange for the Australian economy. Although rates are subject to individual and confidential negotiation between the school and the customer airline the deal between Qantas and the Hawker de Havilland owned Australian Aviation College at Parafield was in the vicinity of $A63 million for training about 200 students.

Although Qantas has entered into the contract with the Australian Aviation College it is also seeking many more pilots than can be supplied from that source and will be continuing to take on former RAAF, airline and suitably experienced general aviation pilots for its expanding fleet which will see it flying about 70 aircraft by 1995 compared to the 35 odd now.

Figures previously published on the pilot requirements of the two major domestic airlines in Australia are of course now obsolete. The new agreement under which pilots are now contracted is much more productive to the airlines and their whole route structure and aircraft fleet is currently under review with regional airlines likely to take over some of the routes currently operated by the big trunk carriers’ aircraft.

The new contract also can preclude a commuter airline pilot expecting promotion into an associated larger airline when he works for a commuter airline owned by it. The Skywest commuter airline in Western Australia, which came into the Ansett camp when it was purchased by the TNT/News companies as part of the East-West Airlines takeover, gave its pilots the chance of promotion to Ansett trunk operations. However Kendell Airlines, which had, at one stage, a 70% ownership by a TNT owned company, did not.

As an indication of the reduction in pilot numbers it is only necessary to look at East-West which is selling six Fokker F27 Friendships as a result of the dispute and the losses incurred.

Australian is also considering disposing of the active operation of the Cairns to Cape York air service at least to its associated Australian Regional Airlines affiliate.

Under the ‘new era’ airline system in Australia in the 1990s the regional airlines will be a major growth area with their operations no longer being exclusively involved with basic second hand depreciated nine seat twin-engined aircraft. As in the USA the regionals in Australia will be operating sophisticated 30 seat plus twin engined pressurised turboprops over routes given up by the major trunk carriers as uneconomic or without the traffic figures which can justify the operation of pure jet airliners of perhaps increasing size.

With several manufacturers developing regional jet airliners for use by the former ‘commuter’ airlines it is likely the pilots working for these once smaller carriers will also be required to be trained and capable of working these small and sophisticated jet airliners.

As in the USA the regional and commuter carriers in Australia are likely to provide both a stepping stone or a career path for airline pilots. Fleets are likely to grow and, as already seen in Australia, full airline type departments are being set up to support their operations, something that was unheard of a few years ago.

The close association the larger regionals have developed with trunk airlines, sometimes extending to capital involvement or just commercial agreements, gives the smaller carriers a large pool of advice and resources to feed on with their day to day operations.

The regional carriers in the USA hired more than 3,000 pilots in 1988 and even more were expected to be hired last year although up to date figures are not yet available. Of course the hirings in Australia do not reach these levels but, in view of the growth of Eastern Airlines,Norfolk, Hazelton and Kendell Airlines in recent times it would seem possible there has been a lot of activity. The hirings by the regionals are probably set to continue as their experienced staff accept offers from Ansett and Australian to make up for pilots inevitably lost in the walkout.

In the USA the continuous drain of pilots from regional and commuter airliners to the majors has caused a continuing decline in the entry qualifications for new pilots into the smaller carriers.

Continental Airlines in the USA, which has close associations with many commuters, uses them to provide a pool for its future pilot requirements and has standardised training with its airline operation, which has both substantial international and trunk route components.

In view of the way the Australian airline industry often mirrors the US perhaps a look at how a big US carrier attempts to keep up with pilot demands would be fruitful. Continental Airlines hires pilots at three levels. At the top it seeks pilots with at least 2,000 hours of experience to serve on its trunk routes who later graduate onto the international flights with Boeing 747s and DC-10s. The airline also seeks pilots with between 1,000 and 1,200 hours to work on its regional airlines until they have the desire and experience to join the major carrier. A Continental seniority number is given after seven months of work with the regional.

The large airline also recruits young pilots with only 500 hours of total time who have the educational and natural aptitudes needed to be an airline captain in the future. These young pilots, mostly recruited from flying schools where they have instructors jobs, are sent by Continental through a ground school and are given extensive simulator experience before being appointed as copilots with a regional carrier. There progress is closely watched by the airline’s Pilot development Department and they must have at least 1,000 hours as a copilot and 1,000 hours as a captain in the regional before they join the major trunk carrier as a copilot. Continental has also standardised its training so that regional pilots use the same basic procedures as the major airline crews.

Flight Safety in the USA, well known to most of Australia’s business jet pilots who do regular periods in their facilities around the USA, is currently offering, in conjunction with Trans World Airlines, a course for future regional airline aircrew. At a cost of $US13,000 it will give a 30 day course including 44 hours of time on a Metro 3 simulator. The simulator periods also include 2. 5 hours of briefing.

Of course this is not entirely different to the Australian and British full airline college although the operation would be cheaper to administer and run. It picks up young pilots before they can develop too many bad habits, which would later preclude them from selection to the airline, and they mostly learn while both they and their employer airline earn.

The bad habits were found by Qantas, much toits horror, when it was carrying out simulator tests on recently recruited pilots from commuter airlines, charter companies and flight schools. It later found the fault lay in the training methods adopted by many flying schools. It later sent one of its most senior pilots to have deep and meaningful discussions with the local flying schools and aero clubs to have them adopt a better standard of training. It feels that the campaign has had beneficial results in the quality of the pilot it is now receiving from the general aviation industry.

Training in the Australian airline system has always emphasised crew coordination, something that only recently has been included as a vital part of training in the USA. This follows findings that more than 60% of all jet airliners accidents occur due to human error. (Refer Reece this issue)

The emphasis in human factors training is encouraging all members, no matter what their position and duties, to query points they consider to be wrong. This questioning of a superior, very often completely alien to some nations, is understood to be part of the Australian natural trait and is one reason for Australia’s low accident rate where most airliner accidents have been related to severe structural failure instead of flying into the ground while the rest of the crew maintain a respectful silence.

Despite the current confusion regarding the number and type of pilots required, the industry is still one that young men and women, with a mature and sensible personality and good education, can aim at. Despite the current slow down, the airlines will require crews in the future and the more experience a pilot can gather now, the better suited he will be in the future for the coveted position in the air.

Instructors spoken to by Australian Aviation recommend that the initial flying training should be done, as far as possible, in one intensive period instead of stretching it out over months as funds become available. Don’t believe everything the first school you visit tells you, look around, fly with a few and check out your instructors carefully. Flight training is a very expensive thing and unless you have faith in your instructor and feel you can get on with him or her you can waste a lot of money.

Ground instruction for the theory subjects can also be expensive. Remember the TAFE colleges employ very experienced people to teach the theory and the costs are a lot less than other methods. However, once again, it depends on what you prefer, sample and discuss with as many previous student pilots as you can.

When you have your licence remember a lot of jobs require you to live and work in remote areas. Often with employers that are probably taking advantage of your position of little hours, even less experience and a desperation for a flying job. Stick with it, remember many airline captains had the same experience.

Directory of Australian Ifr Flying Schools

Canberra Aero Club, Canberra Airport, Fairbairn 2600. Tel: (062) 47 4841
Vee-H Aviation, Canberra Airport, Fairbairn 2600. Tel: (062) 48 6766
Fairbairn Air Charter Training School, Canberra Airport, Fairbairn 2600.
Tel: (062) 49 1326
Aero Professional, Bankstown Airport 2200 Tel: (02) 771 6383
Air Center Albury, PO Box 521, Albury 2640. Tel: (060) 21 2929
Air Facilities, PO Box 675, Albury 2640. Tel: (060) 21 3950
Armidale Airways, PO Box 630, Armidale 2350. Tel: (067) 72 9877
Aurora Aviation Academy, PO Box 53, Tocumwal 2714. Tel: (058) 74 2003
Fax: (058) 64 1004
Australian Flying Training School, PO Box 143, Yagoona 2199.
Tel: (02) 709 5518 Fax: (02) 709 2883
Aviation Centre Flight Centre, 444 Marlon St, Bankstown 2200.
Tel: (02) 790 3149 and (02) 674 5331
Civil Air Training Academy, PO Box 207, Cessnock 2325. Tel: (049) 90 1000
Fax: (049) 90 7515
lllawarra Flying School, Bankstown Airport 2200. Tel: (02) 70 0626
Kingsford Smith Aviation, Bldg 3, Gypsy St, Bankstown Airport 2200.
Tel: (02) 708 1133 Fax: (02) 709 6257
Mciver Aviation, 19 Caladenia Close, Elanora 2101. Tel: (02)607 4455
Fax: (02) 913 9553
Navair Bankstown, Bldg 487, Avro St, Bankstown Airport 2200.
Tel: (02) 708 1222 Fax: (02) 796 2289
New England Air Training & Charter, PO Box 596, lnverell 2360.
Tel: (067) 23 1344
Northern Rivers Aero Club, cl- Lismore Airport 2480. Tel: (066) 21 4844
Orange Air, PO Box 505, Orange 2800. Tel: (063) 65 5211 Fax (063) 65 5122
Ouirindi/Gunnedah Flight Centre, Gunnedah Airport 2380. Tel: (067) 47 4615
Royal Aero Club, Marion Street, Bankstown Airport 2200. Tel: (02) 790 0291
Fax: (02) 708 2908
Schofields Professional Pilot School, PO Box 46, Riverstone 2765.
Tel: (02) 626 6211 Fax: (02) 626 5445
Scout Association of NSW, PO Box 146, Wahroonga 2076. Tel: (02) 773 4165
Sydney Aerobatic School, 457 Marion St, Bankstown 2200.
Tel: (02) 709 4953
Tamair, PO Box 28, Westdale 2340. Tel: (067) 67 7208 Fax: (067) 67 7070
Air Pioneer, PO Box 5494, Mackay Mail Centre 4741. Tel: (079) 57 6661
Noel Bellamy Aviation, cl- Royal Old Aero Club, Hangar 1, Beatty Road,
Archerfield Airport, PO Box 361, Archerfield 4108. Tel: (07) 277 7155
Cape York Air Services, PO Box 6267, MC Cairns 4871. Tel: (070) 53 5858
Flight Training Australia, Bldg 25, Archerfield Airport, PO Box 523, Archerfield
4108. Tel: (07) 277 8544 Fax: (07) 275 1509
NAAC Flying School, Townsville Airport, PO Box 522, Garbutt 4814.
Tel: (077) 25 1888 Fax: (077) 25 1464
North Old Aero Club, cl- Cairns Airport, Cook Highway, Aeroglen, Cairns 4870.
Tel: (070) 53 1438 Fax: (070) 53 7891
Piccolo Aviation, PO Box 360, Gladstone 4680. Tel: (079) 78 1888
Fax: (079) 78 1133
Royal Old Aero Club, Beatty Road, Archerfield Airport, PO Box 41, Archerfield
4108. Tel: (07) 277 5300 Fax: (07) 277 0891
Sunland Aviation Service, Bldg 112, Archerfield Airport 4108.
Tel: (07) 277 1233
Sunshine Coast Air Charter, PO Box 377, Caloundra 4551. Tel: (071) 91 1988
Townsville Aero Club, PO Box 240, Garbutt 4814. Tel: (077) 79 2069
Warner’s Air Charter, Roma Airport 4455. Tel: (076) 22 1619
Central Flying Services, Bldg 119, 2nd Avenue, Moorabbin Airport 3194.
Tel: (03) 580 3881 Fax: (03)587 3128
Stillwell Civil Flying School, Hangar 50, 3rd St, Moorabbin Airport 3194.
Tel: (03) 586 8333 Fax: (03) 586 8350
Combined Flight Training Ply Ltd, Cnr 1st Ave & 2nd St, Moorabbrn . Airport . 3194,
PO Box 40, Southland Centre 3192. Tel: (03) 580 9777
Gawne Aviation, PO Box 486, Shepparton 3630. Tel: (058) 23 1481
Maf-Air Flight Training Center, Ballarat Airport, Ballarat 3352.
Tel: (053) 38 1234 Fax: (053) 38 1509
Moorabbin Aviation Academy, 77 Northern Ave, Moorabbin Airport 3194,
PO Box 40 Southland Centre 3192. Tel: (03) 580 5433
Peter Bini Adv. Flight Training, Cnr First Ave & Bundoora Pde, Moorabbin
Airport 3194. Tel: (03) 580 5295
Southern Air Services, 46 Northern Ave, Moorabbin 3194, PO Box 40,
Southland Centre 3192. Tel: (03) 580 6566
Skybird Flight Centre, Terminal Bldg, Essendon Airport 3041.

Tel: (03) 379 7300 Fax: (03) 379 4016
Staywood Air, PO Box 709, Warnambool 3280. Tel: (055) 65 9348
Fax: (055) 65 9434
Ad Astral Aviation, PO Box 100, Belmont 6104. Tel: (09) 478 2500
Fax: (09) 478 1570 Attn Ad Astral
Amity Aviation, 9A Eagle Drive, Jandakot 6164. Tel: (09) 417 1190
Aviation Academy of Australia, 11A Eagle Dr, Jandakot Airport 6164.
Tel: (09) 332 6847 Fax: (09) 4171565
Jandakot Flying College, PO Box 263, Willetton 6155. Tel: (09) 417 4777
Fax: (09) 417 5757
Kalgoorlie-BoulderAero Club, Fax: (090) 21 2005
Aircare Ply Ltd, Bldg 2, Parafield Airport 5106. Tel: (08) 258 0404
Fax: (08) 258 6328 Attn: Aircare
Australian Aviation College, Kittyhawk Lane, Parafield Airport, PO Box 582,
Salisbury 5108. Tel: (08) 250 6088
Kingham & Hartwig Flying School, Hangar 55, Parafield 5106.
Tel: (08) 258 4244
Tony Kingham Flying School, 1st Floor, Terminal Bldg, Adelaide Airport 5000.
Tel: (08) 234 1034
Arnhem Air Charter, Tel: (089) 81 8910

Directory of Simulator Trainer Operators

Aero Professional, Tower Rd, Bankstown Airport 2200. Tel: (02) 771 6844
Air Pioneer, Box 5494, Mackay 4741. Tel: (079) 57 6661
Australian Simulator Training, 235 O’Riordan St, Mascot 2020.
Tel: (02) 693 5907
Services, PO Box 6267, MC Cairns 4871. Tel: (070) 53 5858
C1v1l Air Training Academy, T he Airport, Cessnock 2325. Tel: (049) 90 1000
Fax: (049) 90 7515
Stillwell Civil Flying School, PO Box 210, Cheltenham 3192. Tel: (03) 586 8310
Flight Simulators (Australia), 452 Stinson Gres, Bankstown Airport
2200. Tel: (02) 70 1947
Flight Training Australia, Bldg 25, Archerfield Airport 4108. Tel: (07) 277 8544
Fax: (07) 275 1509
Fogarty’s Aviation Academy, MSl-1102 Maroochy Airport, Mudjimba 4564.
Tel: (071) 48 7247
Gawne Aviation, PO Box 486, Shepparton 3630. Tel: (058) 23 1481
Gold Coast Aviation Centre, Coolangatta Airport, Bilinga 4224.
Tel: (075) 36 7588
Groupair, PO Box 118, Casey Airfield, Berwick 3806. Tel: (03) 707 1954
Noel Bellamy Aviation, PO Box 361, Archerfield 4108. Tel: (07) 277 7155
Precision Flight Simulators, Bldg 62, Airport Ave, Bankstown Airport
2200. Tel: (02) 709 5246 Fax: (02) 709 2883
Royal Old Aero Club, PO Box 41, Archerfield 4108. Tel: (07) 277 5300
Fax: (07) 277 0891
TKFS Commercial and Instrument School, 1st Floor, Terminal Bldg, Adelaide
Airport 5000. Tel: (08) 234 1034
Vee-H Aviation, GPO Box 565, Canberra City 2600. Tel: (062) 48 6766
DIRECTORY OF HELICOPTER TRAINING SCHOOLS
Aust Aeronautical Academy, 46 Vaughan Ave, Essendon, 3040.
Tel: (03) 379 2832
City & Country Helicopters, PO Box 351, Caloundra 4551.
Tel: (071) 91 4600
Great Northern Helicopters, 45 Leichhardt St, Bull Creek 6155.
Tel: (09) 417 9895
Helicopters Brisbane, Hangar 224, Archerfield Airport 4108. Tel: (07) 277 0001

Helicopter Operators, PO Box 2168, Mt Isa 4825. Tel: (077) 43 2844
Heliflite Training School, Hangar 604, Miles St, Bankstown Ad.
Tel: (02) 709 4804
Heli-Aust, Hangar 271, Bankstown Airport 2200. Tel: (02) 709 1215
Hell-Training, Hangar 464, Birch St, Bankstown Ad. Tel: (02) 790 5533
Highland Helicopters, PO Box 848, Fyshwick 2609. Tel: (062) 57 2549
Jayrow Helicopters, PO Box 46, Mentone 3194. Tel: (03) 587 1833
Jeff McTaggart Helicopters, PO Box 1174, Surfers Paradise 4217.
Tel: (075) 96 3623
Kestrel Aviation, Bundora Pde, Moorabbin Airport 3194.
Tel: (03) 580 5411
Mereeba Heli Flying School, Mareeba Airport 4880. Tel: (070) 93 3819
Mciver Aviation, Hoxton Park Aerodrome 2171. Tel: (02) 607 4455
Professional Helicopter Ser vices, Moorabbin Airport 3194.
Tel: (03) 580 7262
Tony Carmody, 622 The Nicklin Way, Wurtulla 4575. Tel: (071) 93 1720
Townsends Helicopter Training School, Hoxton Park 2171.
Tel: (02) 607 8300
Trident Helicopters, PO Box 126, Maleny 4552. Tel: (071 48 7716