Announced today on the ASX... they're really clutching at straws with this.
Media Release
3 October 2007
REX LAUNCHES PILOT CADET SCHEME
Regional Express (Rex) announced today that it is launching a cadet scheme that is
without precedent in Australia for aspiring pilots who would like the opportunity to fly with a
leading regional airline.
“Rex recognises that the high cost of flying training is a major obstacle to many young
people who desire to make a career in the sky and is prepared to assist with the cost of
training so that a Commercial Pilot’s Licence is within the reach of many who would
otherwise be unable to afford it,” said Jim Davis, Rex Chief of Staff.
Giving details of the scheme, Mr Davis added “All selected cadets would be given a loan of
50 percent of the cost of training estimated to be $80,000. This is repayable for up to seven
years in a repayment schedule that links the repayment to the prevailing salary so that the
burden is reduced in the initial years.”
“In addition, some of the higher achievers will be given scholarships that could cover up to
the remaining 50 percent of the training costs. These scholarship cadets will have to
commit to staying with Rex for six years,” Mr Davis said.
Rex has a history of assisting young persons to join the industry with its engineering
apprenticeship programme and currently has 16 apprentices under training at its heavy
maintenance base at Wagga Wagga as well as at line maintenance bases in Sydney and
Adelaide.
The pilot cadet scheme is expected to commence later this year with an initial intake of
around 20 cadets and a target of 40 cadets per year. It is expected that each batch of
cadets will be trained within eight months of starting their cadetship to qualify for a
Commercial Pilot Licence with a Command Instrument Rating and Multi-Engine
Endorsement and would then begin their flying career in one of the Rex Group companies.
Explaining the rationale for this bold initiative, Mr Davis said, “Rex is growing very strongly
and is adding some 20 additional aircraft to its fleet in the next two years bringing the
Group’s fleet size to almost 90 aircraft. We will need to ensure that we have the quality
aircrew needed to meet the overwhelming demand for Rex’s services everywhere in
regional Australia.”
Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional airline operating a fleet of 34 Saab 340
aircraft on 1,300 flights weekly to 25 destinations from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
The Rex Group comprises Regional Express, air freight and charter operator Pel - Air
Aviation and Dubbo based regional airline, Air Link. Interested applicants can register their
interest at
www.rex.com.au./cadetpilot.
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