Aviation Australia and CQUniversity partnership takes flight

The course' which has been developed to address emerging aviation industry requirements' provides multiple outcomes for students seeking to gain an aircraft maintenance engineer's licence in addition to a higher education qualification.

Aviation Australia CEO Bill Horrocks said that as a global leader in aviation and aerospace training' AA have been looking ahead to develop and offer training that ensures graduates grow with the aerospace industry and embrace its dynamic evolution.

Aviation Australia therefore sought out and partnered with CQUniversity to jointly develop a unique course that addresses the industry requirements over the coming decades.

'As an experienced aviation education provider' CQUniversity aligns with Aviation Australia's ethos to ensure graduates are better prepared for evolving industry needs. CQUniversity students have access to excellent educational resources' such as simulated in live maintenance environments' providing them with practical skills and theoretical knowledge that are globally applicable and highly sought after'' Mr Horrocks said.

'The Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Aircraft Maintenance - Avionics) advances the aircraft maintenance vocational skills taught at Aviation Australia with an in-depth understanding of theoretical knowledge from CQUniversity.

'The embedded approved regulatory course provides an accelerated pathway for students to reach Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer status in just two years' while the higher education component provides the theoretical knowledge to explore new technologies and applications.

'AA delivers approved European Union Aviation Safety Agency courses and works closely with the aviation industry' national and international regulators' educational partners and government. We place the students' career aspirations first and we are continually seeking to enhance the outcomes of our training programs' providing students with the pathways to progress their educational goals.'

CQUniversity's Vice-Chancellor' Professor Nick Klomp said that as a leading university provider of aviation education and training' CQUniversity was thrilled to be partnering with Aviation Australia to deliver this Australian-first program.

'We all know aviation graduates need a strong combination of theoretical knowledge' technical skills and hands-on experience to forge a successful career in the rapidly evolving aviation industry'' Professor Klomp said.

'With this partnership' we'll be equipping our graduates with the best of all worlds' making them among the most employable aviation graduates in the country.'

After successfully completing their first 18 months with Aviation Australia and gaining a Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering' students will be able to articulate into the Bachelor degree with CQUniversity.

The course is designed to be flexible' allowing the student to continue study on campus (AA and CQUniversity campuses)' or online while gaining valuable experience by working in the industry.

During their final year of study' students will gain a deeper understanding of aviation and aerospace technology' control systems' advanced maintenance materials' maintenance' asset management' and fast developing technologies like unmanned aerial vehicles or drones.

Successful students will also obtain a CASA certified Remote Pilot Licence and an Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate' as well as participating in an aviation industry-relevant project.

'It is my hope that Aviation Australia and CQUniversity will continue to work together to develop new training and courses that will benefit both the industry and students in the years to come'' Mr Horrocks said.

'The field of aviation and aerospace is rapidly growing' and education and training providers are still only scratching the surface of the future potential applications for aviation technologies. Aviation Australia plans on staying ahead and leading the way forward in creating and delivering training for all aspects of the aviation and aerospace industries' including research.'