14 Mar 2001
Ref: 033/2001
BAE Systems is to operate and maintain a Learjet 45 business jet at its Adelaide pilot training college on behalf of Cathay Pacific Airways (Cathay Pacific).
The Learjet 45 will be used for Cathay Pacific’s existing and newly developed advanced pilot training programmes with a future option to expand the fleet to two jets.
Cathay Pacific will introduce advanced jet training to its current and future crew to enhance and expand the training of its pilots.
The advanced pilot training programme, to be delivered by BAE Systems, will use the Learjet in jet handling and upgrade training roles progressing pilots from Second Officer to First Officer and subsequently on to their first command.
“BAE Systems and Cathay Pacific have been training partners for a number of years and we are excited to be involved in this latest project,” said Keith Morgan, sales and marketing manager, BAE Systems Flight Training Australia.
“By establishing this programme Cathay Pacific have clearly demonstrated their commitment to quality pilot training and their confidence in BAE Systems as a training provider, and in South Australia as a training location.”
It is anticipated that the Learjet will arrive in Adelaide during August this year and be introduced into the training programme in the first quarter of 2002.
With a view to growing this line of business in the future, BAE Systems will establish a separate operation to manage the Cathay Pacific Learjet programme.
“Adelaide offers significant advantages over other sites in the region for pilot training. We see the Cathay Pacific programme as the first step in establishing Adelaide as a leading advanced pilot training location” said Mr Morgan.
Cathay Pacific began training in Adelaide in 1994. BAE Systems currently conduct Flight Screening, ab initio pilot training to Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) with Command Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (CIR ME) and theory passes in the Air Transport Pilot Licence subjects (frozen ATPL), and 2nd Officer direct entry transition training for Cathay.
The BAE Systems Flight Training College in Adelaide has formed strategic partnerships with some of the world’s leading airlines, including QANTAS, South African Airways, China Airlines, National Taiwan University, Dragonair, China Xinhua Airlines, China’s Civil Aviation Flying College, and Shanghai Airlines.
Notes to Editors:
BAE Systems Australia, headquartered in Sydney, NSW, is one of Australia’s leading defence and aerospace companies, having supported the Australian Defence Force for almost fifty years. With 2,700 employees at more than 50 locations, BAE Systems Australia combines key skills in engineering and systems integration, and is a leading supplier of support services, electronics and software. It offers outstanding complementary capabilities and systems integration to customers spanning all areas of defence.
