Tori Perrow from the central coast of NSW, and Michael Molan,22, of Canberra, are two of the lucky applicants. Picture: Dean Martin Source: The Advertiser
THE sky is just the beginning - not the limit - for eight cadets who have been chosen by Virgin Australia to train as pilots at Parafield Airport.
The cadets, picked by Virgin from nearly 1200 applicants from around the country, will spend 55 weeks with leading aviation school Flight Training Adelaide before becoming first officers on commercial flights using ART turboprop aircraft.
"This allows us to prepare for the future," Virgin Australia chief pilot Brad Thomann said.
"Parafield Airport features world-class facilities and modern training methods. It also give the trainees an opportunity that's not been out there.
"We want people to be able to become Virgin Australia pilots no matter what your socio-economic background is."
The cadets, from NSW, Queensland and Victoria, have become Virgin employees and will be provided with accommodation at Flight Training Adelaide's Parafield campus, meals and some spending money.
Training costs about $120,000 with Virgin paying 30 per cent and the Federal Government's VET fee Higher Education Loan Program covering the remainder.
Graduates will be bonded to Virgin which expects them to progress to Embraer or 737s after two or three years on the 68-seat ATRs flown by Virgin subsidiary SkyWest in the eastern states.
Tori Perrow, 21, from the NSW central coast, has leapt at the opportunity to study in Adelaide to pursue her dream.
Michael Molan, 22, from Canberra, said it was great to have Virgin's support.
"We'll all be living, working and playing from here in Parafield for the next year," he said. The cadets will train in light aircraft and in flight simulators, the training including how to work as a multi-crew team.
"They've got to learn how to make one plus one equal three," Mr Thomann said. Flight Training Adelaide managing director Johan Pienaar said it was "fantastic" to have Virgin on-board.
The school already trains Cathay Pacific and Qantaslink pilots using its 45-strong fleet of aircraft.
The Virgin cadets will mix with other students but have their own course structure.
"It creates a good, healthy competition to have them interface with students from other airlines," Mr Pienaar said.
Virgin will make announcements about further intakes next year.
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