CQUniversity takes flight with Skytrans Airlines and Cleveland Bay Aviation MOU

CQUniversity's Aviation training has soared to new heights in North Queensland' with the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding to deliver a graduate pilot pathway program into Skytrans Airlines through Cleveland Bay Aviation.

This will be the second graduate pilot pathway program for CQUniversity' with a similar arrangement between CQUni' Virgin Airlines and Hinterland Aviation forged in 2019.

'CQUniversity's aviation and pilot training programs are attracting wide interest and we are honoured to have Cleveland Bay Aviation and Skytrans Airlines come on board with this MoU'' CQUni's Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology Professor Steve Hall said.

He said the appeal of the Bachelor of Aviation (Flight Operations) and Graduate Diploma of Aviation (Flight Operations) was its strong nationwide networks with the aviation industry in Australia.

This sentiment is supported by Head of Postgraduate Aviation Courses' Arno Mueckenhausen 'Our program is just reaching the completion of the first major intake of full-time students from the course we introduced in 2018 - 2019 and we expect to see our graduate numbers grow significantly over the next couple of years.'

'The online study and network of CQUni approved flight training providers that we work with to achieve the outcomes have benefitted the students – and the industry greatly'' he said.

The benefits of undertaking the pathway training was that graduates would be provided with job opportunities upon completion. CQUniversity is the only university in Australia offering these direct pathway opportunities.

Professor Hall added that the success of the CQU aviation programs had also seen the introduction of a new stream in Airlines and Airport Operations to commence in 2022 and a new collaborative Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Aircraft Maintenance.

Skytrans CEO' Alan Milne reiterated Professor Hall's comments. 'It is our pleasure to be involved with CQUni and to ensure a pathway to employment for the next generation of airline pilots. As a proud Queensland owned and based airline' we understand the importance of promoting these opportunities in our region. Especially as the industry recovers from a turbulent couple of years'.

Cleveland Bay Aviation Director Adrian Norman said 'CQU provides the strong tertiary foundation required for a career in Aviation post COVID. This MOU' with respected Northern Operator' Skytrans is a brilliant initiative for building the bridge between the teaching environment and the operational career path for successful applicants.'