Brindabella Airlines

Seven captains poached over the past year from Canberra's Brindabella Airlines.

Australia's major airlines have poached seven captains over the past year from Canberra's Brindabella Airlines, which is expanding its capacity and upgrading its fleet.

The major carriers are adding capacity to domestic routes at a time of a widespread shortage of experienced pilots.
Brindabella lost five pilots in August alone. Having a flying school attached to the business enabled trained pilots to step into the gaps, as well as instructors with 1000-1500 flying hours under their belts being able to move into the airline's operation. After 18 months flying they are able to progress from co-pilot to captain.

Brindabella chief executive Jeff Boyd said the regional airline was bringing in South African pilots with experience flying Jetstream aircraft, to replace the experienced pilots lost to the bigger carriers.

Mr Boyd said the worst of the shortage was nearing an end, with a renewed interest among young people in becoming pilots.

There are still people well worth training in Australia, we just need to inject some experience at the moment he said.

Media coverage of the shortage had helped overcome a perception that young people had no chance of getting a job as an airline pilot and now more were knocking on the flying school's door.

A deputy chief pilot, who learned to fly with Brindabella in 2000 and had left to fly jets for Virgin Blue, was an example of the career path available these days for young pilots.

An agreement was in place with the Snowy Mountains Grammar School in Jindabyne to teach aviation theory courses as part of the Higher School Certificate and do the practical training with Brindabella.