Jetstar Cadet Program

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Jetstar has launched a cadet pilot training program in Australia and New Zealand to support the airline’s expanding Asian-Pacific operations.

The program was jointly developed by the Oxford Aviation Academy based in Moorabbin and the CTC Aviation Group, based in Hamilton, New Zealand – both in consultation with Jetstar. The airline will – upon successful completion of the course to standard, and pending suitable availability of positions – provide a direct career path into the right seat of an Airbus A320.

The program is expected to train 70 pilots this year commencing in July, and the airline expects 20,000 applicants.

There are two distinct entry options for applicants:

• Ab-Initio Program
• Advanced Cadet Program

The Ab-Initio Program is intended for those with little or no flying experience. The program will develop pilots to the level where they will hold a commercial licence and multi-engine command instrument rating. Students will then partake in a more advanced 10-week program where they will receive 5 hours of EFIS equipped single-engine experience supplemented with 30 hours of EFIS equipped simulator exposure (20 hours in a jet). Students will then travel to Hong Kong where they will undertake and A320 endorsement.

Jetstar A320

The Advanced Cadet Program will entail undertaking the 10-week program as above – meaning that participants will supplement their existing commercial qualifications by completing the preparatory EFIS exposure and the A320 endorsement in Hong Kong.

Both entry points to the program will have an emphasis on crew resource management, first officer fundamentals, threat and error training, and A320 technical knowledge.

The Cost to the Student

It’s quite hard to determine the direct cost to the elementary student. It appears that the cost for the 18 month course will be in the vicinity of $AUD155 thousand, including the fees for the SUT Associate Degree education which unlocks Australian Government FEE-HELP (for those that qualify). It seems that $42,000 or so will be paid back to Jetstar over 6 yrs during which time the pilots are bonded for the aircraft endorsement. Actual cost could only be determined with consultation with participating flight training organisations.

The costs, despite being completely inconsistent with commercial rates elsewhere in the industry, may be justified by the fact that pilots will accrue extremely valuable right-hand-seat Airbus flight time when their comparably qualified general aviation counterparts will graduage to a Cessna 210 in outback Australia. An inflated commercial rate is a small price to pay for an accelerated (and quality) career path to a jet captaincy. Any aspiring pilot would be crazy not to consider this or any other comparable program. The Jetstar program is the only such course in Australia that will potentially move graduates directly into an operational seat. There are rumours that with Jetstar’s A330 expansion plans into Europe, cadets may well end up serving as second officers (still quite a good job).

Risk versus Benefit – Is it worth it?

From Jetstar’s website:

These new programs with Jetstar provide a fantastic opportunity to enter the airline profession and whilst Jetstar is committed to providing a career opportunity to as many applicants as possible the numbers are quite naturally limited. At the outset of the program it must be remembered that no cadet training program guarantees a job, since the individual trainee has to achieve the competency requirements of both CTC and Jetstar during the training. However, subject to that and there being no change to Jetstar’s recruitment plans, you will be offered a job with the airline on successful completion of the program.

This effectively means that there’s absolutely no guarantee of a job. Both participating flying schools are referred to as a ‘Jetstar Recognised Course’ – effectively detaching Jetstar from commitment. It’s a great career option for young pilots, but it’s not without its risks!

A huge section titled “The cost to the Industry” was edited out. It will come another time.

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