Qantas and global training provider CAE have opened a new purpose-built flight training centre in Sydney, where thousands of new and existing Qantas and Jetstar pilots will train each year.
The state-of-the-art facility in St Peters near Sydney Airport is now home to five full-flight simulators, three fixed training devices and ten classrooms.
The new centre marks the return of Sydney-based flight training for the group after Qantas relocated its simulators from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane in 2021 to make way for the NSW Government’s Sydney Gateway Road project.
Senior Qantas and Jetstar training captains will continue to train pilots from both airlines, with pilots typically undertaking four simulator sessions per year to remain current in their formal qualifications and up to 15 sessions when training for a new aircraft type.
Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace commented: “Qantas is proud of its strong safety culture and the skill and expertise of our pilots has long been recognised globally. This new facility is a key part of ensuring that these high standards continue across our next generation of aircraft and aviators in this country.”
He added: “We have more than a hundred new aircraft on order for Qantas and Jetstar which create significant opportunities for our people and Australia’s aviation industry and the huge demand for crew training will be supported by the new flight training centre.”
Qantas’ first group of A321XLR pilots are currently undertaking their training at the Sydney centre ahead of the first aircraft arrival in 2025.
CAE Chief Operating Officer Nick Leontidis said that the Sydney centre’s inauguration is an important milestone as the company celebrates 30 years of supporting aviation training in Australia: “Safety is paramount for the Qantas Group and CAE. The purpose of this training centre, its advanced simulators and team of experts, is to create an optimal training environment for Qantas and Jetstar crew to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to be ready for the moments that matter.”
Further tranches of training equipment are set to arrive in the coming years, including Australia’s first Airbus A350 simulator that will train Qantas pilots for ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise flights.