Your aviation career in 2020

The ‘no pilot jobs in 20 years’ rumours continue

While we continue to experience a limitation to training availability, the opportunity for airlines to have pilots check to line quickly remains an issue into 2020. The gossip that there will be pilotless cockpits in ten years, and no career path for pilots in 20 years is a limited analysis. Take heart aviators of today, there will be a role for you in the future, even if it looks a little different.

Recruitment is affected by global and national economic developments

While we have unrest in Hong Kong, the 737 Max grounded, a protected market in the US and the unravelling of the European Union, aviation will be challenged. We belong to a global industry so keep that in mind when deciding on next career steps, not every region is in downturn at the same time.

The Australian airline jobs market

After several years of dramatic upturn in our local industry we have hit a few snags – Virgin Australia issuing redundancies and dialling back recruitment on most fronts. The Qantas Group reorganising some of its recruitment processes amongst its subsidiaries has changed the playing field and we wait to see how that unfolds in 2020. Regional airlines continue to recruit consistently.

Cadetships

The resumption of most airline pilot cadet programs in 2019 is a good sign that the industry is gaining health and returning to long-term thinking and planning. Most look set to re-open in 2020. The Qantas Academy is the most highly contested with tens of thousands applying for each intake. A new program run by Cobham Aviation into an FO spot on the Dash 8 was popular and looks set to provide a healthy alternative to the incumbents. REX continues its multiple annual intakes into AAPA with its tried and tested cadet program. Other programs to monitor are run by Jetstar and Virgin Australia.

General aviation and regional flying

The bulk of advertised roles continues, as it has for the last couple of months, to be focused on General Aviation, Aeromedical, Instructing and Regional Airline positions as reflected in the positions advertised with AFAP.

Overseas pilot employment

Qatar Airways is offering an excellent remuneration package and benefits. The Asian-based carriers continue to offer big money. New players such as Bamboo Airways have surged onto the market, and Hong Kong-based airlines remain competitive despite the unrest.

The USA is still offering E3 visas to Australian pilots under our Free Trade Agreement.

Aviation professional roles

Hundreds of aviation professionals faced redundancy in 2019. We saw highly qualified and experienced professionals hit the job market at the same time. My contacts indicate more projected redundancies are in the pipeline in 2020.

A positive note

I don’t wish to end on a negative note, so I won’t. The key question I have been asked is, “Is my experience applicable to overseas airlines or aviation companies?” The answer is yes, be that industry professional, pilot, cabin crew or engineer. While moving overseas is not an option for all, it is a clear benefit of working within a global industry, but consider your options broadly, as nothing is permanent. Australia may be feeling the very adverse effects of a changing climate; however, I have no doubt that we will prevail and that our industry will do the same.
ABOVE: Graduates from the Regional Express (Rex) Pilot Cadet Programme celebrate receiving their epaulettes during a recent graduation ceremony at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA). The proceedings were officiated by the Hon Michael McCormack MP, Deputy Prime Minister, alongside local and aviation dignitaries. AAPA, located in the NSW regional town of Wagga Wagga, is a subsidiary of the Regional Express Group, and is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), accredited to conduct pilot training to domestic and international students.REGIONAL EXPRESS

‘While moving overseas is not an option for all, it is a clear benefit of working within a global industry’