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Qantas has cut the ribbon on its new multi-million-dollar flight training centre in Sydney.
Announced last year, the facility in St Peters, near Sydney Airport, houses five full-flight simulators, several fixed flight training devices (FTDs) and 10 classrooms. More equipment, including an A330 FTD and Australia’s first A350 simulator, is expected to arrive next year.
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This is the first time Sydney has hosted a Qantas training facility since the Flying Kangaroo relocated its simulators to Melbourne and Brisbane due to construction on the Sydney Gateway road project in 2021.
“Qantas is proud of its strong safety culture and the skill and expertise of our pilots has long been recognised globally. This new facility is a key part of ensuring that these high standards continue across our next generation of aircraft and aviators in this country,” said Qantas International CEO Cam Wallace.
“We have more than a hundred new aircraft on order for Qantas and Jetstar which create significant opportunities for our people and Australia’s aviation industry and the huge demand for crew training will be supported by the new flight training centre.
“Sydney will be the anchor city for our Project Sunrise flights when they launch and our pilots will train for their flights here in the facility once the A350 simulator arrives.”
Operated by global training firm CAE, the facility currently houses full-flight simulators for the 737-800, 787, A320, A330 and A380, as well as 787 and A380 FTDs. Pilots will be instructed by Qantas and Jetstar training captains, with staff to undergo ground training at the facility until a new dedicated centre opens in 2026.
CAE chief operating officer Nick Leontidis said the opening of the new facility is an “important milestone” for the company as it marks three decades in Australia.
“The purpose of this training centre, its advanced simulators and team of experts, is to create an optimal training environment for Qantas and Jetstar crew to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to be ready for the moments that matter,” Leontidis said.
“With a network of more than 70 civil training centres around the world, including three in Australia, CAE will lend its innovation and expertise in efficient training operations to meet the Qantas Group’s training requirements as it grows its fleet.”
Qantas in March began training for its new A321XLR fleet, which is expected to arrive from April next year to replace its 737-800s.
