Qantas Group has officially opened its new flight facilities in St Peters, near Sydney Airport, set to propel thousands of new and existing Qantas and Jetstar pilots to new heights with the latest simulators and training, including for ultra-long-haul flights.
The purpose-built Sydney Flight Training Centre features five full-flight simulators, three fixed training devices and 10 classrooms, operated by global training provider CAE.
Senior Qantas and Jetstar training captains will still train pilots from both airlines. Pilots typically undertake four simulator sessions each year to remain current in their formal qualifications and up to 15 sessions when training for a new aircraft type.
The first group of Qantas Group A321XLR pilots are currently undertaking training ahead of the first fuel-efficient aircraft arrival in 2025.
Further training equipment will arrive in coming years, including Australia’s first Airbus A350 simulator to train Qantas pilots for ultra-long-haul Project Sunrise flights.
Pilots and cabin crew will complete ground training at the new centre with emergency procedures equipment and aircraft cabin mock-ups.
In mid-2026, Qantas Group will open a new ground training facility in Mascot, allowing the Sydney Flight Training Centre to transition to a dedicated pilot training facility and meet demand with new aircraft.
The new centre also marks the return of Sydney-based flight training after Qantas Group relocated its simulators from Sydney to Melbourne and Brisbane in 2021.
CEO Qantas International Cam Wallace said the new facility was key to the Qantas Group continuing its long history of training pilots in Sydney.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Qantas x Surf Life Saving Australia initiative
Talking of safety, Qantas has teamed up with Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) to promote water safety ahead of summer and support its mission to achieve zero preventable deaths in Australian waters.
As part of the Qantas partnership, SLSA has launched a free Beach Passport online training tool to provide the Australian public with basic water safety knowledge.
To encourage Aussies to use Beach Passport, Qantas will offer 150 Qantas Points to everyone who completes the course plus entry into the draw to win one million Qantas points.
For more info, head to qantas.com
