Wellcamp

[M61A1]

I can only hope that they don't do weekends. I like the lack of traffic around here.

 

 

[mnewbery]

So, Qantas is planning to only produce, clear-sky pilots, and well-sun-tanned pilots, from their new pilot school?

Landing to minimums in crappy weather is what simulators are for

 

 

[Keith Page]

the QANTAS flight school and the Flight Training Adelaide one, the locals are going to hate the 172 traffic up and down the strip

Told you that there will be a school there.

Must say it took a while.

 

KP

 

 

[fly_tornado]

I can only hope that they don't do weekends. I like the lack of traffic around here.

It really depends on how many people sign up for the course? I can't see it not going 6 days a week

 

this is the cost in the US in USD so you can probably double that amount

 

Pilot Training Cost – Flight School Cost, L3 Airline Academy

 

A big concern for some potential aviation students is "How much does pilot school cost?" L3 Airline Academy offers programs based on your goals as a pilot.

 

Airline Pilot Track and Professional Pilot Program Price

 

Tuition (Estimated) $79,995

 

Application Fee $150

 

Books & Supplies (Estimated) $3,518

 

Electronic Training Materials (Mandatory for all students) $1,482

 

Transportation $6,000

 

Room & Board $16,350

 

TSA AFSP Application (Non-U.S. Citizens) $390 ($130 each for 3 courses)

 

TSA Fingerprinting (Non-U.S. Citizens) $99 (one time)

 

ID Badge (mandatory) $50 annual

 

*Pricing is current. All prices are estimates and based on the Training Course Outline (TCO) hours it takes a cadet to go through the various programs. All prices are subject to change. Each cadet's experience may vary and hours or costs may be different than what is quoted here. Prices include fuel and flight tests (unless student pilot fails the exam, then additional flight test charges will apply). Prices do not include fuel surcharge, over-flight charges from TCO, admission fees, books, supplies, TSA processing, visa application fees, and extensions.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

So, Qantas is planning to only produce, clear-sky pilots, and well-sun-tanned pilots, from their new pilot school?

Joyce is seeing an opportunity with all these Middle Eastern and Asian airlines growing and are looking for a way to make money out of them so pumping out 500 pilots a year with QANTAS branded training looks like its going to pay off big time.

 

But with most things Wellcamp the numbers never seem to stack up.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

AIR BOOM: Toowoomba experiencing rise in aviation

 

TOOWOOMBA is currently experiencing an aviation boom, a leading business figure has said.

 

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport said the announcement the Qantas Pilot Training Academy would be based in the Garden City had created a sense of excitement around town.

 

"I think the Qantas announcement has opened everybody's eyes to the possibility of what we can achieve in this region,” Ms Davenport said.

 

The Qantas announcement on Thursday followed the opening of the Flight Training Adelaide Queensland facility at Wellcamp Airport on Monday, and the University of Southern Queensland announcement it would expand its aviation course to Toowoomba.

 

"It is an aviation boom,” Ms Davenport said.

 

"There is no reason why other airlines or other training schools won't come to this region now for the exact same reason that Qantas has.”

 

 

An artist impression of what the Qantas Pilot Training Academy at Wellcamp Airport will look like. Contributed

 

Ms Davenport said aviation added to the diversity of Toowoomba's business sector.

 

"This just add another string to our bow in terms of economic diversity,” she said.

 

"We have agriculture, the resources sector, now pilot training, so many things to be proud of and things to be excited about.

 

"And with hospitals, schools and all sorts of amazing things announced in the last week, this is one of many exciting things happening in our region.”

 

Early works on the $35 million Qantas training facility, which will train 250 student pilots a year, began yesterday, with major construction works expected to begin next month.

 

"Having 250 students and 160 trainers and staff in the region is going to be amazing,” Ms Davenport said.

 

"The economic benefits of that is enormous.

 

"It's a very exciting time for our region.”

 

 

[fly_tornado]

woops we are down from 500 to 250 pilots but the number of trainers is up to 160

 

 

[poteroo]

woops we are down from 500 to 250 pilots but the number of trainers is up to 160

And therein lies a challenge. Finding enough Grade 1 instructors is the next step. And, some of them will also need to be MECIR, and with FE privileges. Getting them to re-locate will require incentive, ie, well above the 'award' payscale and on longer term contracts. Given the current senior instructor shortages - I can't see senior instructors accepting the lousy T&C's of the past. But, the ripples will spread: the instructor ranks will thin at existing schools, and the costs of instruction will rise right down the line - even into RAAus.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

They can fly instructors and mechanics up from Brisbane or the coasts every morning if they need to.

 

 

[turboplanner]

When QANTAS trained pilots at Avalon you would hardly know anyone was there. They kept to their own facilities and trained in series so there were only a few cars around. This is not a groundshift FT.

 

 

[mnewbery]

This is not a groundshift FT.

agreed...It is not the spoon that bends

 

 

[fly_tornado]

When QANTAS trained pilots at Avalon you would hardly know anyone was there. They kept to their own facilities and trained in series so there were only a few cars around. This is not a groundshift FT.

 

It's revolutionary!

It's taken almost 5 years and another $35M of Wagner money for the first business to locate to Wellcamp, its the great success that @mnewbery always said it would be

[fly_tornado]

I saw this yesterday

 

 

 

[fly_tornado]

Extension needed on proposed Wagners airport hangar

 

TOOWOOMBA business Wagner Investments will move ahead with a long-held plan to build a private air hangar complex at Wellcamp Airport.

 

The company last week sought a four-year extension from the Toowoomba Regional Council to a project the council approved in 2014, which involved a four-stage construction of two 1400sq m hangars and four offices.

 

Now Wagners wants another extension to start construction before the approval lapses on October 11, citing progress at the airport as the driver behind the move.

 

"The progressive development of the associated uses within the (Wellcamp) Business Park have necessarily taken precedence over the establishment of this facility," Precinct Urban Planning's Andrew Bullen said in a letter to the council.

 

"The need for contemporary hangar facilities has emerged as part of emerging interest in flight training and ancillary airport activities on the subject land as a result of the maturing patronage profile for the Wellcamp Airport."

 

The extension request comes just a week after the airport was chosen as the first location for a new pilot training academy by Qantas.

 

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce revealed the Wagner-owned airport won the contract because Toowoomba offered an uncongested airspace, at least 300 days of sunny skies and an attractive place for students to live and study.

 

Wagner Corporation director Denis Wagner said construction had already begun.

 

"We will engage a lot of subcontractors locally and building contractors," he told The Chronicle last week.

 

"There will be opportunities right through this region for people to come in and assist us through the construction phase.

 

"We're extremely confident we will deliver."

 

After getting approval from the council in October 2014, Wagners also got several conditions changed to the private hangar complex the following year.

 

Seems crazy not building hangars but @mnewbery can explain

[fly_tornado]

Pilot training academy 'a coup' for the Garden City

 

by Jo Sheppard, Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO

 

THE announcement last week that saw Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport named as the first location for the Qantas pilot training academy is great news for the Toowoomba business community.

 

The new pilot academy will address the current worldwide pilot shortage and will deliver a significant direct economic injection into our local economy.

 

Construction is to start immediately, and will bring jobs during construction but also direct and indirect jobs when operational.

 

It is estimated that once up and running though, the pilot academy will be putting up to $600 million into the local economy.

 

As a result of this announcement, Toowoomba will now be the home for training the next generation of pilots.

 

In a practical sense, this means that hundreds of additional people will be shopping in our retail sector, dining out in our restaurants and cafes, frequenting our gyms, renting or buying houses and generally getting involved in our community.

 

Qantas hope to train 100 students in the first year of operations and grow to 250 students in the first few years.

 

Qantas has appointed L3 Commercial Aviation as the training provider that will bring about 40 aircraft to the facility which will drive additional employment opportunities at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport as well.

 

The University of Southern Queensland is partnering with the Qantas for the Future Pilot's Program already offering a Bachelor of Aviation degree at its Springfield campus but now looking to expand its aviation program to Toowoomba.

 

There will be a considerable spin-off in other training opportunities that could be provided at Toowoomba Wellcamp airport into the future, as a result of the pilot academy being established here including the training of flight attendants, ground staff, security staff and other aviation related skills.

 

Congratulations Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport and good choice Qantas!

 

What a coup this is for the future growth of our local airport, but also for our entire economy and community.

 

That makes each pilot worth upwards of $6M

 

 

[facthunter]

Rapidly Expanding and Newly establishing airlines require experienced (in general and on type) Captains. They must usually get them by "enticing" them from other Airlines. (with money and conditions).. I don't know if the multi crew licence is being used in Australia internally, but there will no doubt be overseas operators who fly into here using them.. Would only apply to CM 2 positions. It has some concerns in experience level and therefore overall capability considerations and theoretically at least the co pilot is supposed to be able to carry out the PF duties if the Captain is indisposed.. Nev

 

 

[poteroo]

Rapidly Expanding and Newly establishing airlines require experienced (in general and on type) Captains. They must usually get them by "enticing" them from other Airlines. (with money and conditions).. I don't know if the multi crew licence is being used in Australia internally, but there will no doubt be overseas operators who fly into here using them.. Would only apply to CM 2 positions. It has some concerns in experience level and therefore overall capability considerations and theoretically at least the co pilot is supposed to be able to carry out the PF duties if the Captain is indisposed.. Nev

I think the MPL isn't 'usable' in Aussie airlines but may be, (?), as you said, used by foreign airlines. Certainly not into the USA, where the FAA has mandated min 1500hrs + ATPL for all F/O's. QF take S/Os into US, but I don't think the US minimums apply to them.

 

I still can't accept the airline managements' crying poor about their lack of pilots when it's of their own making. The Feds should not be allowing use of 457 visas when there are plenty of Aussie pilots queued to get into the rhs. If the airlines hadn't been so miserable about internal training and promotion over the last 5 years, there would be a steady stream of F/Os being promoted to captains. Boom & bust mentality. But, it is, what it is.

 

Congratulations to the Wagners for having the balls to push Wellcamp. It's going to be a busy bit of airspace on the DD in the next few years.

 

happy days,

 

 

[Turtle]

The Wagner’s have just opened the lid on the a box, it will take time but the box will be filled.

 

Positivity builds Future.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

its been a wild ride for the last 5 years @Turtle

[fly_tornado]

$70b high speed rail: Toowoomba to Brisbane in 45 mins

 

A BOLD $70 billion proposal to fast-track south east Queensland's development into a world-class super-metropolis of the future has been unveiled.

 

A new report recommends a rapid rail network that would carry passengers to the centre of Brisbane from the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and even Toowoomba in less than 45 minutes.

 

Vast improvements to public transport and carefully-targeted road projects would enable people to travel across individual cities within half an hour.

 

The blueprint is outlined in a report by major infrastructure consultants SMEC, who were commissioned by the SEQ Council of Mayors to investigate transport as part of a feasibility study into a possible Olympic Games bid.

 

It proposes a major shift in priority to public transport, reversing a trend towards private car use over the past 30 years.

 

The centrepiece is a new "faster rail" network of frequent trains travelling at up to 250km/h. Average speeds of 150km/h would be almost three times the current 60km/h.

 

It would halve the travel time from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts to the capital, and slash up to two-thirds off the journey from Ipswich.

 

Stage one of the "SEQ People Mass Movement Study" found that enormous population and employment growth would increase transport demand across the region 31 percent by 2031, and by 53 percent a decade later.

 

A "base" scenario, including existing projects such as Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro, would allow major centres to become half-hour "smart cities"

 

But a recommended "advanced scenario" envisages the state's south east corner becoming an interconnected "smart region" over the next quarter of a century, securing its position as the country's most liveable and efficient metropolitan area.

 

The rapid rail network would involve existing lines and new ones. They would include the North Coast Connect proposal which has already received federal Government funding for a business case for a new 40km track from Beerwah to Maroochydore.

 

It proposes a new fast link to Southport from the current Gold Coast corridor. A fast initial connection to Ipswich would be extended to Toowoomba, although another recent $15 million business case grant to determine passenger rail requirements to the Darling Downs city could also see that brought forward.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

More insight from the local rag

 

STUDENTS at the Qantas Pilot Academy at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport will have to take classes at all hours of the day and night when it opens next year.

 

Pilot training provider L3 will train pilots at the facility for Qantas.

 

Training VP Colin Rydon said an average day for students would vary depending on the area of training they were currently undergoing.

 

"For those who are in the theoretical knowledge stage of the training it will involve classroom-based work throughout the day and revision and individual work most of the other time," Mr Rydon said.

 

"Schedules for those in the flight training stage will vary depending on the flights they are undertaking. These flights can operate from very early in the morning to late into the night and take place seven days a week.

 

"Outside this time students will be preparing for the next flight or stage of training and revisiting aspects learnt earlier on the course."

 

Mr Rydon said the exact specifications of the course were still being worked on.

 

"But we expect them to be similar to the courses being run at a number of our other sites," he said.

 

"The academy will operate under Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority guidelines, which set the framework for key elements of the course.

 

"The course will be tailored and designed in collaboration with Qantas. We will be seeking to ensure that it provides a modern curriculum that is suited to both for the airline's own unique environment and the wider aviation environment."

 

The UK-based L3 currently operate four Airline Academy sites across the globe, including one in Hamilton, New Zealand.

 

"We train over 1500 new pilots every year," Mr Rydon said.

 

"The Qantas Pilot Academy will be our first academy in Australia and we're confident that, along with Qantas, we can open a truly world-class facility helping to significantly grow the number of pilots we're able to train who can join the profession both in Australia and around the region.

 

"The students at the academy will be offered L3's state-of-the-art facilities and training equipment and we will be recruiting and training the highest standards of instructors to deliver our programmes. We have a long history of developing the next generation of Airline Pilots for many of the world's leading airlines and we will bring that experience to the Qantas' Pilot Academy in Australia."

 

 

An artist impression of what the Qantas Pilot Training Academy at Wellcamp Airport will look like. Contributed

 

Mr Rydon said the company would provide a mix of single and multi-engine piston aircraft for the academy.

 

"Across the globe, the industry is battling with the pilot shortage. Put simply there aren't enough new pilots joining the profession to fly the massively growing number of aircraft which are on order," he said.

 

"This means we have to look at ways to be able to train more pilots and attract more candidates to this highly rewarding career.

 

"We hope to set this school apart from all others, with the highest standards of safety and instruction along with the most suitable equipment. We are also looking to create an enjoyable and inspiring learning experience that all students can remember for the rest of their careers. We like to think we can help make safer skies across the globe."

 

 

[nomadpete]

What a lovely forward thinking transport infrastructure plan. It makes so much sense.

 

However, Government blue prints are no more than 'pie in the sky' dreaming. And it's not often that a government will spend up big on public transport.

 

It's likely that fast trains run best on standard gauge tracks - (not like our Statewide narrow gauge that we are presently saddled with). That's another reason we probably won't be actually getting high speed trains in Qld anytime soon.

 

Pity about that.

 

 

[Yenn]

Taking Queensland Rails current ability into consideration I can only suggest it is not going to happen. QR cannot find enough drivers to run the rail system they have now. There are constant calls for the relevant minister to step down, bu that is not going to happen. Basicly this government couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery, if their railway record is to be believed.

 

 

[fly_tornado]

Cathay Pacific records growth on Wellcamp cargo flight

 

5th Nov 2018 5:00 AM

 

TOOWOOMBA'S cargo flight to the world continues to grow, with Cathay Pacific recording year on year tonnage growth on the flight to Hong Kong.

 

The airline will reach the two year milestone for the flight later this month.

 

The airline began operating the flight on November 21, 2016 and operates the flight to Hong Kong every Tuesday.

 

Cathay Pacific Regional Head of Cargo SWP Nigel Chynoweth said the service had grown since its introduction.

 

"We have seen year-on-year tonnage growth out of Toowoomba Wellcamp, and while we are not planning to change the frequency of our service, we regularly review the performance of all our routes to ensure we are capturing the demand that exists in the market," Mr Chynoweth said.

 

"We are pleased with the freighter from Wellcamp. We uplift weekly shipments of perishables, including chilled meat, produce and dairy and also oversize shipments of mining equipment, aircraft engines and artwork.

 

"We are fortunate that with a network of 46 freighter ports we are able to handle all types of shipments to almost anywhere in the world."

 

Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise CEO Ali Davenport said the flight had a significant impact on Toowoomba's economy.

 

"It's absolutely amazing for us," Ms Davenport said.

 

"It brings opportunity that we just wouldn't normally have if we didn't have that flight or that airport."

 

Ms Davenport said she hoped to see more local agriculture producers take advantage of the flight.

 

"We would love to see more agricultural products going on the plane," she said.

 

"We're running a program (through Food Leaders Australia) called Emerging Exports, where we are working with business to get them to that export ready status.

 

"We would love for them to use that direct flight out of Wellcamp Airport."

 

Ms Davenport said Wellcamp Airport as a whole was a game changer for the region.

 

"We'd be lost without it," she said.

 

"The airport is part of our future, along with rail and the Second Range Crossing.

 

"Without the airport we as a region wouldn't be advancing as fast as we are."

 

 

[fly_tornado]

I thought this was relevant to Wellcamp, local council buys flight school for below replacement cost after BAE moves out

 

Tamworth Regional Council, NSW government buy BAE facilities for secret amount

 

• 
   
   
  Jacob McArthur
   
   
   
  

 

 

 

 

Local News

 

 

FLY BUY: Tamworth mayor Col Murray and MP Kevin Anderson outside the BAE facilities purchased by council for an undisclosed amount. Photo: Supplied

 

TAMWORTH Regional Council has bought the BAE flying school facilities but it remained tight-lipped about the purchase price.

 

Council will be the landlord of the flight training facilities as Virgin Australia is expected to sign a 10-year lease to run its pilot training academy out of the newly-purchased digs.

 

Mayor Col Murray claimed the deal was “commercial in confidence” and couldn’t reveal the price council paid BAE for the facilities, but he did hint at a big contribution from the state government to help seal the deal.

 

READ MORE:

 

• Bigger than BAE: Tamworth council in deep negotiations with flight school replacement
   
   
  
• Tamworth Regional Council mayor says Virgin only dealt with Tamworth
   
   
  
• Virgin Australia to set-up pilot training school in Tamworth after Tamworth Regional Council voted on a report regarding the pilot academy
   
   
   
   
  

 

 

 

 

“The acquisition price was below market value, but it is held in commercial in confidence at the moment,” Cr Murray said.

 

“But I’d like to assure the community it was very, very reasonable and a significantly below our formal evaluation.”

 

Similarly, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson would not divulge how much the government chipped-in to buy the buildings.

 

“Negotiations are still under way at this point in time with Virgin and BAE exiting and we will wait until we get all the ink on the paper, we’ll wait until Virgin sign-up take the keys and take over,” Mr Anderson said.

 

General manager Paul Bennett said council and Virgin would finalise negotiations on Tuesday and hoped to have the contracts signed early in 2019.

 

He believed council would make a return on its investment within the initial 10-year lease.

 

“There was a very strong business case put forward and that’s how we secured the support from state government, it has to be done on the basis that it is a long-term viable business proposition,” he said.