Media Releases - Australian Airline Pilot Academy


	Regional Express Celebrates the 10 year anniversary of their Airline Pilot Academy – SAAB 18/19 Market Report AAPA celebrates its 10 year anniversary and its growth over the past 10 years.

	Achieving dreams with the Australian Airline Pilot academy – True Blue Feb/March 2018 Celebrating women in Aviation, meet Australian Airline Pilot Academy’s (AAPA) female cadets who are now captains in Rex.


	Rex and AAPA celebrate graduation of first group of Vietnamese cadet pilots – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere August/September 2017 On 12 May Rex celebrated the graduation of the first group of Vietnamese cadets trained at its pilot academy, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) in Wagga Wagga, NSW.

	Rex – Australia’s Outback Airline – Airways June 2017 In 2008, with the demand for air travel growing both in Australia and globally, Rex lost 115 Pilots—half its total complement—to other airlines.

	Runway to Success – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere April/May 2017 In the local Wiradjuri Aboriginal language, ‘Wagga’ means ‘crow’ and ‘Wagga Wagga’ translates to ‘place of many crows’. Today, not only big black birds but also cadet pilots fly in and out of the Riverina city of Wagga, New South Wales.

	Vietnamese pilots to train at Rex Pilot Academy – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere April/May 2016 On 16 December 2015, in Vietnam, Rex Group’s Executive Chairman Mr Lim Kim Hai signed a pilot training agreement with Viet Flight Training (VFT – a joint venture between Bay Viet and Vietnam Airlines) on behalf of Rex subsidiary, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA).

	The Rex015 and Rex016 cadets get their wings – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere April 2015 On Wednesday 10 December, 2014 Rex subsidiary the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) celebrated the graduation of the Rex015 and Rex016 cadets.

	RAAA Scholarships – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere January/February 2015 In October 2014, the Regional Aviation Association of Australia (RAAA) awarded two Rex Group employees scholarships.

	The Rex Group takes out four awards at the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council awards – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere July 2014 The Rex Group was recognised by the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) at its annual awards ceremony in Melbourne in early April.

	Official opening of the simulator and cadet graduation – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere July 2014 April 28, 2014, was a special day for Rex. The company celebrated two important occasions – the official opening of its Saab 340 Full Motion Flight Simulator (FFS), and the graduation of the thirteenth and fourteenth classes of Rex cadet pilots from Rex’s subsidiary, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA).

	UAE Approval for Flight Training – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere May 2014 The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) has recently received approval from the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to be an approved Flight Training Organisation to conduct Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) training for UAE carriers.

	From Cadet to Captain – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere May 2013 At the end of 2012, four graduates from Rex’s Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) reaped the rewards of their labour by achieving Command positions on the Saab 340 fleet.

	Inspiring Stories & Businesses: Regional Express – Transport & Industry Skills Council April 2013 An unprecedented pilot shortage five years ago threatened Regional Express (Rex) Airlines’ very existence, forcing the company into an immediate re-think about training and development, says independent director Jim Davis.

	Rex009 and Rex010 Graduate – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere July 2012 On 1 May 2012, the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) was proud to see another two classes, Rex009 and Rex010, graduate from the Rex cadet pilot program.

	AAPA Visits – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere June 2012 The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) recently had special guests tour the campus facilities on two separate occasions.

	Training Special: Come Fly With Us – Aviator May 2012 Before the global financial crisis, the Aviation industry in Australia and the broader Asia Pacific region suffered from a chronic pilot shortage. For airlines such as Regional Express (Rex), the loss of tech crew to the majors almost sent the company spiraling into bankruptcy.

	In house - Rex responds to pilot shortage by growing its own – Australian Aviation January/February 2012 Regional airlines have always been a prime hunting ground for the major airlines when the need for pilots arises – so much so that at one stage in 2007, Regional Express lost 50% of its pilots to the majors. And so was born the Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

	Breaking New Frontiers - Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere October 2011 The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), together with Alpha Aviation Group UAE (AAG UAE), commenced the training of the first United Arab Emirates (UAE) cadet pilot intake on the flying component of the new ICAO Multi-Crew Pilot Licence (MPL) on 8 August 2011.

	Ministerial Visits to AAPA - Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere October 2011 The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) recently had three special guests tour the campus facilities.

	Careers Advisers Association Visit – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere September 2011 On 23 June 2011, six enthusiastic members of the Careers Advisers Association of NSW paid a visit to the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) campus in Wagga Wagga.

	AAPA Rex010 Commencement – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere August 2011 After an intensive selection process, 10 new cadets have taken up a placement for the AAPA Rex010 program, which started on 16 May 2011.

	WATS Exhibition – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere July 2011 The World Aviation Training Symposium (WATS), a conference and trade show event held in Orlando, Florida, is the largest aviation training tradeshow in the world.

	Professional Pilot Training Guide: Between GA and the airlines – Australian Flying May/June 2011 While not the first airline in the country to do so, Regional Express (Rex) has created a highly professional niche pilot training organisation with its Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

	APATS Conference and Avalon Airshow - Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere June 2011 Earlier this year, AAPA attended the APATS conference held in Hong Kong and for the first time, the Avalon Airshow in Melbourne. The AAPA exhibit was very well received and the shows proved to be good international and local exposure for the Academy.

	Spotlight on Training - Low Fare & Regional Airlines Apr/May In the late September 2010, the Australian Senate opened up a can of worms when it directed the Senate Standing Committees on Rural Affairs and Transport to investigate and report on the country’s pilot training and airline safety.

	Australia’s Rex cuts GA pilot pipeline - Flight Global April 2011 Australia’s Regional Express no longer expects to obtain pilots from the general aviation community. The cut off comes as Rex has achieved success in a relatively new in-house pilot cadet programme. This new business is called the Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

	Excelsior! - Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Apr 2011 After eight months of training and exams, another two batches of cadets from the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), Rex006 and Rex007, have successfully completed the Rex Pilot Cadet Program.

	Young blood for AAPA in Rex008 – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Mar 2011 AAPA Rex008, the eighth batch of cadet pilots, began training at AAPA on 29 November 2010. After an intensive selection process, 10 successful cadets were offered placement in the program.

	Is cadet training a flight risk? – Aviator March 2011 According to Rex, results from comprehensive simulator and aircraft proficiency tests have conclusively proven that cadets in their first year of flying demonstrate equal skills in all aspects tested while in their second year of flying their performance surpasses the more experienced direct intake pilots with over 1500 hours.

	Ready…Jet Set…Go – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Jan 2011 David Teitzel, one of Rex’s pilots-in-training, has graduated and is now attending ground school

	Onward and Upward - Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Dec 2010 As cadet David Teitzel reaches the end of his cadetship at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), Mitch Brook catches up with him to find out what's next…

	Striking a balance - Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Nov 2010 Rex Cadet pilot David Teitzel chats once again with Mitch Brook to give him an update on his piloting course at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA).

	Wagga Wagga covers all bases – Aviation Business (Asia Pacific) Oct-Nov 2010 As the home of Regional Express (Rex) Airline, and with excellent facilities and airspace, Wagga Wagga provided the perfect location for the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), which is wholly owned by Rex.

	Up in the air – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Oct 2010 Catches up with David Teitzel, who recently progressed in his piloting course at the Australian Airline Pilot Academy.

	The Sky’s the limit – Rex Inflight Magazine OUTthere Sep 2010 OUTthere looks at the brand-new Rex Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) and meets one of its newest student: David Teitzel from Sydney.

	Jeppesen boost for Australian pilot training academy – Boeing Australia Vol 2. August 2010 Jeppesen, a Boeing subsidiary, has signed a contract with the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) to provide pilot training services. The company, based in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, will train future airline pilots for Jeppesen's worldwide customers to the standard required for Australian and international commercial pilot licences.

	Tied together - Aviator Oct 2010 Big news for the new Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), based at Wagga Wagga, came recently as they announced a significant strategic alliance.

	Regional Express (Rex) first female cadet Rosina Booth interview – Aviator Oct 2010 Rosina Booth embarked on her new flying career at Rex’s flight school, AAPA in 2008 after successfully applying for a position in brad new cadet pilot program.

	Official opening of Rex’s pilot academy – Wagga Business Issue 9 The Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), a fully owned Rex subsidiary company, recently celebrated the official opening of its brand new $12M Wagga Wagga based pilot training academy campus.

	Ready for take-off – Aviator July 2010 It would be remiss of us, with our special flying school supplement this issue, not to mention one of the largest investments in Australian flight training in recent times.

	Rex opens new AAPA campus – Australian Flying July-August 2010 The new Wagga $12 million AAPA campus is a state of the art facility featuring an academic centre, flight training centre, on-campus accommodation, dining and recreational facilities.

	Rex opens new AAPA Campus - Aviation Business (Asia-Pacific) 31 May 2010 Rex established the AAPA (a wholly owned subsidiary of Regional Express Holdings Limited) as an inhouse training school in late 2007 in the wake of the widespread pilot shortage that swept through the airline industry.

	Wagga Wagga Airport to get ILS - Aviation Business (Asia-Pacific) 28 May 2010 In a major technology upgrade, Wagga Wagga Airport will start operating an Instrument Landing System (ILS) by later this year.

	Rex pilot academy officially opened, ILS for Wagga Wagga - Australian Aviation 27 May 2010 Transport Minister Anthony Albanese officially opened Regional Express (Rex)’s Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) at Wagga Wagga on May 27, at the same time announcing the federal government would provide just over $1 million to help fund an instrument landing system (ILS) for the regional NSW centre’s airport.

	An Investment in the Future of Our Industry — Australian & International Pilots Association Autumn 2010 issue In early April I visited the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA) facilities in Wagga Wagga to learn about the Regional Express (Rex) Pilot Cadet Programme and AAPA’s vision for the future of pilot training.

	Regional Express model survives tough times – Australian Aviation Magazine October 2009 At the peak of the pilot shortage crisis, Rex's longer term solution is the establishment of its own pilot training school and cadet pilot scheme.

	Rex building pilot school – Orient Aviation Magazine September 2009 Work began in July on construction of Australian regional operator, Regional Express's (Rex), new A$25 million (US$21 million) Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), at the Wagga Wagga airport in south western New South Wales.

	Proud Occasion for Rex Airlines – Kay Hull Newsletter August 2009 In June I attended Regional Express Airlines’ Cadet Graduation Ceremony and was flattered to be there as guest of honour.

	AAPA Aims to Become the Premier Pilot Academy in Asia Pacific - CILTA Logistics & Transport Australian Review 2009 AAPA aims to become the premier pilot academy in the Asia Pacific with a projected throughput of more than 200 pilots a year for both Australian and international airlines. To this end, the decision was taken to build an AUD12 million state-of-the-art pilot training facility at Wagga Wagga in New South Wales where the Rex group has its heavy engineering base.

	Keeping the Pilot Pool Stocked - Low Fare and Regional Airlines Magazine June 2009 “Time is a differentiating factor at AAPA”, according to Jim Davis, Chairman of the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA). “We have proven that we can pick a bright high-school student off the streets, and train him or her to CPL standard plus ME CIR within eight months. A shorter course will mean lower fees and, of course, a quicker earning capacity for the trainee pilot. It also enables airlines to respond in a more timely manner to changing pilot demand,” he remarks.