Cadetships: How much does it cost?

Learning to fly can be extremely expensive. In fact, an Australian Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) can cost anywhere up AUD $80,000, and that's without the guarantee of a job!

This is where cadetships can greatly aid wanna-be pilots. Cadets undertake flight training with dedicated training partners as specified by the employer. Subject to completion of the program, cadets may then be employed by the airline for a bonded period of time and may be required to make course repayments via salary sacrifing.

So just how much will a cadetship cost you? AoA staked out some of Austalia's best cadetships to get the low-down on prices.

REX Pilot Cadet Program

Cost of training: AUD $125,000

This fee covers:

• Flight training
• Simulator training
• Ground course fees
• Uniforms
• Textbooks
• Jeppesen charts
• Exam fees
• Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) charges

Also, the aforementioned fee covers the cost of food and accomodation during the 32 weeks of training at the academy.

Not included in this fee are the costs of obtaining a CASA Class 1 medical, Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) and a Student Pilot Licence (SPL).

Bonded return of service: 7 years.

Sharp Airlines' First Officer Cadetship

Cost of training: AUD $113,861

This fee covers:

• Theory courses
• Flight training
• Simulator training
• Twin Engine Instrument Rating
• Textbooks
• Landing fees
• Exam fees
• Licence applications
• Endorsement fees (including a Metro III/23 Turboprop Endorsement)
• CASA and Jeppesen documents

Accomodation, travel and food are not included in the fee. Uniforms and stationery is also to be purchased at the student's expense.

Bonded return of service: 18 months of training + 12 months of employment with Sharp Airlines.


Disclaimer: The material presented on this website is intended as an information source only. Angle of Attack does not guarantee accuracy of the information and you should not rely on any materials available on or through this website.