there's nothing 'free' about this - as the advertisment onn Campbell Live last night suggested. From Jetstar's website,
Advanced Cadet Program (ACP, for pilots with a CPL,MECIR and ATPL subjects)
Includes Multi Crew Training + Jet Conversion Training + A320 endorsement + Jetstar In-Flight Line Training
$83,950 AUD (All meals and accommodation provided for duration of training in Nursling, UK)
Jetstar will provide you with 50% sponsorship (AUD 21K) towards the ground training costs of the ACP. In addition to this Jetstar will fund (up front) the remaining costs of the ACP program - this will be repaid to Jetstar by cadets over a period of 6 years whilst you are employed as a pilot operating for Jetstar.
Note: you will be bonded for a period of 6 years
and the funding blurb:
Advanced Cadet Program
The total course cost for this program is $83,950 AUD. There are 2 parts to this program 1) Ground training at CTC ($41,950) and 2) In-Flight training provided by Jetstar ($42,000).
Jetstar will provide you with 50% sponsorship (AUD 21K) towards the ground training costs of the ACP. In addition to this Jetstar will fund (up front) the remaining costs of the ACP program - this will be repaid to Jetstar by cadets over a period of 6 years whilst you are employed as a pilot operating for Jetstar. Note: you will be bonded for a period of 6 years
What I don't understand is where the $41k for ground training comes from. If you've already got a CPL/MECIR/ATPL exams, is the $41k for the type rating ground course? Multi-crew course? Those courses are around $4k max. And I have heard of 750-1000hr instructors & GA pilots who have been told they have too many hours!