REX PILOT CADET PROGRAMME

1. Who will be conducting the training?

The training will be carried out by the Australian Airline Pilot Academy (AAPA), a wholly- owned
subsidiary of Rex. AAPA was established in November 2007 and runs an intensive live-in Pilot
Cadet Programme. AAPA is a Registered Training Organisation.

2. Where will the training be conducted?

Wagga Wagga NSW. Please see information on website http://aapa.net.au.

3. What type of aircraft will be used for the Programme?

AAPA operates a fleet of Piper Warrior III and Piper Seminole aircraft with state-of- the-art
Electronic Flight Instrumentation System (EFIS) glass cockpits and the latest Satellite Navigation
equipment.

In addition, two modern ELITE S623 iGATE flight simulators which are Civil Aviation Safety Authority
(CASA) approved as Category ‘B’ synthetic trainers are also used for simulator training for the
Programme.

4. How long will the training take?

The duration of the Programme from ab initio to CPL with Multi-Engine Instrument Rating is based
on 34 weeks. However, this may vary and is dependent on cadet performance and weather.

5. Is accommodation available?
The Programme is designed as a live-in course with both food and board included.

All Cadets will be housed in modern amenities featuring individual bedrooms fitted with a wash
basin and reverse cycle air-conditioning. Toilets and showers are communal but provide privacy.
Male and female Cadets are housed in separate sections of the facility. Please visit our website to
see more details on our campus facilities.

6. In terms of the Programme being a live-in course, is there the option or possibility to obtain
rental accommodation in town and commute to AAPA as necessary?
No. The Cadet Pilot Programme is an integrated course which is very intensive, and the Cadets
are required to live on campus.

7. Is working part time allowed?

Due to the Programme workload, working part time is not permitted.

8. Is there a qualification above which an application will no longer be considered?

The Programme is only offered as Ab Initio. An applicant with a CPL will be considered over-
qualified for the Programme.
9. Are there any eyesight requirements (with or without optical aid)?
The only restriction on eyesight, is the requirement for the applicant to hold a Class 1 Medical. For
more information on the medicals and requirements, please visit the CASA Website
www.casa.gov.au.

10. What qualifications will be attained?

Upon completion of training at AAPA, each Cadet will qualify for an Australian Commercial Pilot
Licence (CPL), Instrument Rating (IR) and Multi Engine Class Rating (MECR) and will be eligible to
obtain an AVI50219 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) and an AVI50519
Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating). ATPL subjects are not included as part of the Cadetship,
however assistance will be available at the AAPA for Cadets who wish to make their own
arrangements for these subjects.

11. What does the Rex Pilot Cadet selection process involve?
The selection involves a six stage process which includes the following:

1. Candidates are to submit an up-to-date covering letter and resumé to include their personal
contact details, all secondary & tertiary academic subject results (especially for mathematics
and physics) plus certifications, previous work experience, and if applicable, total flying hours
(with log books), CASA Medical Certificate and ASIC if available.

2. Those selected, will be asked to attend what is known as the WOMBAT Test; a 2.5 hour
assessment on situational awareness, multi tasking and stress tolerance. WOMBAT test
facilities are located at Sydney and Melbourne. For more information, please refer to the
WOMBAT on website http://aapa.net.au/programmes-CADET.html. Some candidates may be
required to sit for a short mathematics and physics test on the same day of the WOMBAT test,
which will take another 45 minutes.

3. Upon successful passing of the WOMBAT test, an initial phone interview will be held.

4. Further shortlisted candidates will be offered a face to face interview held at the AAPA
training facility in Wagga Wagga. This is a panel interview consisting of senior Rex and AAPA
staff. Candidates considered suitable following this interview will then be asked to attend a 30
minute basic flight skills assessment in the ELITE S623 iGATE flight simulator. Both exercises will
take place on the same day.

5. Those further shortlisted will be invited to attend the final interview with the Rex Management
Committee, which is conducted at the Rex Head Office in Sydney.

6. Candidates who pass the final interview stage will be required to hand write a motivation
letter.
12. What prerequisites are required for the Programme?
Candidates will need to be a minimum of 18 years of age at the time of application. They need
to have completed at least Year 12 (or equivalent such as a Diploma) with good results covering
mathematics or physics subjects or both.

A Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Class 1 Medical Certificate and an Aviation Security
Identification Card (ASIC) are required prior to commencement at AAPA, at the Cadets’ own
expense. Please visit the CASA website www.casa.gov.au for further information.

13. Is the Programme just focused on school leavers?

No. All applicants are welcome to apply and those with suitable attributes and prerequisites will
be considered.

14. What is the cost of the Programme?

The Programme fee is AUD $130,000. This is all inclusive of CASA charges, exam fees, theory,
text books, Jeppesen Charts, flight and simulator training, uniforms as well as food and board.
However there are additional charges for repeats of sorties due to failure to meet standards.
The Cadet needs to be able to pay up front AUD $25,000 at the start of the Programme.

15. What are the loans available under the Programme?

There are two different loan schemes that allow the Cadet to finance the remaining Course
fees (AUD $105,000). When the Cadet is accepted upon employment (Ground School Phase), the
Study Loan and Scholarship Loan will be offered for the purpose of funding the Programme fees
payable to AAPA.

The loans must be guaranteed jointly and severally by two persons who are citizens or
permanent residents residing in Australia.

These loans will be fully explained to Cadets who are offered a place on the Cadet Programme.

16. What happens to the loans if a Cadet resigns before the seven years commitment period is
completed?
If the Cadet resigns within the initial seven years, the outstanding loans and accrued interest (at
10% compounded) become due and repayable by the Cadet in full, immediately at the last day of
employment with the Company.

17. Is there a probationary period and what happens if the Cadet fails the probationary period?
The first phase of the Programme up to the PPL stage is the probationary period. Cadets who
are deemed unsuitable during or at the conclusion of the probationary period, at Rex's sole
discretion, will be asked to leave the Programme.

Generally those asked to leave during or at the end of the probationary period will have their AUD
$25,000 used to pay for all costs incurred. There will be no refund of any portion of this amount. All
loans and liabilities are considered fully discharged thereafter.
18. What career progression can I expect under the Cadet Programme?
The decision to employ the Cadet after graduation is at the complete discretion of the Company.
Where the Cadet is employed after graduation from AAPA, the Cadet may be deployed anywhere
within the Rex Group of Companies which comprises of Rex, Pel-Air and AAPA at the complete
discretion of the Company.

Those deployed within the Rex Airline will generally follow the path below:

1. Within twelve months of the graduation from AAPA, enrolment at the Rex Ground School
including a type endorsement on the Saab 340. This also is the moment of first employment
with the Rex Airline.

2. Upon successful completion of the Ground School and type endorsement, the cadet will
complete the necessary line training in order to be checked to line as a First Officer (FO).

3. After approximately 30 months as FO, depending on accumulated qualifications and

experience and upon achieving rigid prerequisites covering such attributes as:
• Sound Command judgement and leadership,
• Outstanding Professionalism;
• Stable and mature personality, and
• Personal discipline; and
• Sound work ethic,

The Cadet may be considered for the Pilot in Command under Supervision (PICUS) programme.
Placement in PICUS is entirely at the discretion of the Company and Cadets are advised that
strong emphasis is placed on command aptitude and attitude. The PICUS program runs
concurrently with a First Officer’s normal duties and is routinely completed in 18 months.

4. Upon successful completion of the PICUS programme, gaining the 500 command hours and
meeting the minimum hours of Total Aeronautical Experience, the Cadet becomes eligible for
consideration for Command upgrade.

5. Where there is a vacancy for Command and at the Company's sole discretion of the
suitability of the Cadet, the eligible Cadet will be placed on a Command upgrade course.

6. Upon successful completion of the Command upgrade course and passing the line training
requirements, the Cadet will be promoted to Captain.

19. What will a Cadet be paid once he or she enters Rex Employment?
Pay and conditions of employment are in accordance with the National Employment Standards
within the Fair Work Act 2009, or the relevant Industrial Agreement that applies to the position
within the Rex Group of Companies. In the case of Rex Airlines, the standards are currently
outlined in the Regional Express Pilots Agreement 2014. Full details can be obtained on
www.airc.gov.au.
20. Where will I be based upon completion of training?
Potential basing within the Rex Group could be at Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wagga Wagga,
Albury, Dubbo, Townsville, Brisbane, Cairns and Perth. The Rex Group's bases are subject to
change.

Consideration is given as far as possible to personal preferences when allocating bases but the
Cadets will be deployed to cater for the Company’s needs and the latter has the final say in this
matter.

21. Under what circumstances can Rex terminate the cadetship?

The Rex group reserves the absolute right and discretion to terminate the Cadet Programme
at any time (Termination for Convenience). Upon such termination, the Cadet has to pay all
outstanding loans. Where employment has already commenced prior to the termination of the
Cadet Programme, the conditions of employment will not be affected by the termination.

For further enquiries please email [email protected]

Updated 19 November 2020