Sharp Airlines’ Cadets – Past and Present

Having the opportunity to train and develop skills with a commercial aviation company has given Sharp Airlines’ past students a major advantage over their competition.

Sharp Airlines Graduate: Al Wheaton

Al Wheaton graduated from Sharp Airlines’ Cadet Program and currently works at Cobham Special Missions in Darwin, NT. Al said that Sharp Airlines’ supportive learning environment and high quality instructors played a key part in assisting his career.

When asked what made him choose Sharp Airlines over any other flight school, Al said that the unique Cadetship Program and price structure really made a difference to him.

“The opportunity to create vital networks within the industry was also an outstanding factor of gaining my qualification with Sharp Airlines,” Al said.

To those considering becoming a pilot, or joining the aviation industry, Al has the following suggestion:

“Be prepared for industry cycles when employment may slow to almost nil. In my current position, I have seven test/exams each year to maintain my job. Be prepared for endless performance scrutiny. Enjoy every minute of the above experiences, you will see things you never thought you’d see, and wouldn’t have believed anyway”.

Sharp Airlines Graduate - Jason Lipson

After graduating from Sharp Airlines' Cadet Program, Jason was inducted in to the organisation in 1997 as a Charter Pilot and Flight Instructor.

From there he moved on to Schutt Aviation Melbourne, where he was employed as a Charter Pilot and Flight Instructor, and then in 2002 spent a year at Air Facilities Albury as the Single Pilot of RPT.

It wasn’t until 2002 that Jason achieved his goal of employment at Qantas – Second Officer of B747-200/300, B747-400 and First Officer of B737.

Jason believes that Sharp Airlines has played a big part in his career to date.

“The high standard of training provided and the opportunity to gain employment and industry contacts straight away really kick started my aviation career,” Jason says.

“Being involved with all different aspects of the business was another thing I loved. From being a Charter Pilot and Instructor to having the responsibility of rostering and office duties – it was that high professional standard demanded of me from day one, which really prepared me for what lay ahead.”

Currently residing in Sydney, Jason says the best aspect of his job is having the opportunity to travel the world while receiving first class training, operating some of the most advanced and newest aircraft.

“Working for such an iconic Australian company is still amazing to me. Even after eight years, putting on a Qantas uniform and going to work to fly a 747 to London or Los Angeles is a huge buzz!” Jason says.