Rex Group Pilot Academy Resumes Training for Cadets from China

The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPAV), one of two pilot academies within the Rex Group, has re-opened its Ballarat, Victoria, academy for Chinese cadets.

This marks a return to action for the academy for the first time since Covid restrictions ended.

The training programme will last 15 months, and at the end, graduates will obtain a Commercial Pilot’s Licence (CPL), with Multi Engine Instrument Rating (MEIR) and High Performance Aircraft Training (HPAT).

Chris Hine, AAPAV Managing Director, said: “During Covid, we continued the training of 56 Chinese cadets and successfully graduated them without a single one having caught Covid.”

He added: “This restart is a ringing endorsement of the quality and professionalism of Rex’s pilot academy.”

Notably, AAPAC has been accredited by the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC) since 2009 and is authorised to train up to 168 cadet pilots a year for Chinese airlines.

Five Civil Aviation Authorities across the globe – in Australia, Vietnam, China and the Gulf States – have approved Rex pilot academies.

Rex, Australia’s largest regional and domestic airline, operates a fleet of 58 Saab 340 aircraft and eight Boeing 737-800NG aircraft.

In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (an air freight, aeromedical and charter operator), the Australian Airline Pilot Academy with campuses in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat, and propeller maintenance organisation, Australian Aerospace Propeller Maintenance.

Rex is also a 50% shareholder of National Jet Express (NJE), a premier Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO), charter and freight operator.