Qantas pilot training simulators take flight in Brisbane

Queensland is now home to five of Qantas’ state of the art flight simulators, through the support of the Palaszczuk Government.

Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick joined Qantas CEO Alan Joyce to open the new Qantas Flight Training Centre at Brisbane Airport.

The Treasurer said the opening of the new facility was another demonstration of Queensland’s growing aviation sector that is attracting jobs and investment from interstate and overseas into Queensland.

“The Q in Qantas proudly stands for Queensland, as it has for more than 100 years since the company was founded in Winton in 1920,” the Treasurer said.

“The industry has been impacted severely over the last couple of years by COVID-19, but as we unite and recover, it’s technology and facilities like this which will play a critical role in our economic recovery.

“Our partnership with Qantas to deliver their new Flight Training Centre brings extra aviation training capability to Queensland and creates new employment opportunities for training pilots and simulator technicians, including 18 new direct operational jobs.”

“This suite of flight training simulators reinforces Queensland’s pre-eminence as a destination of choice for the aerospace and aviation support industries

“In a state as vast as Queensland, with our proximity to Asia and the Pacific, aviation industries are a natural fit. Our government is determined to make the most of our competitive advantages when it comes to attracting aerospace companies and aerospace jobs, right across Queensland.

“These simulators mean Queensland-based flight crew don’t have to leave the state to complete their ongoing training.

“The Q400 simulators will train pilots who help fly vital regional Queensland routes and the 767 freight aircraft simulator is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

“The 787 and 737 simulators will also be in demand for pilots who will come from Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region.

“Their presence here will mean more pilots visiting Queensland, which means more business for accommodation and hospitality businesses. The centre has capacity to train up to 900 pilots each year.”

Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said the airline has a proud history of aviation training, opening its first ever flying school in a tin hangar at Eagle Farm in 1927.

“Aviation has advanced significantly since those days and so too has pilot training,” Mr Joyce said.

“We are pleased this state-of-the-art facility in Brisbane will mean a pilot can start their career at the Toowoomba Pilot Training Academy, complete their training at the Brisbane simulator centre and then embark on a Qantas Group career flying from their Queensland home base to everywhere from Longreach to Los Angeles.”

Media contact:

Geoff Breusch – 0417 272 875