A superstar stunt pilot renowned for his jaw dropping aerobatic displays will attend a major Cairns aviation careers event this month to greet fans and share advice.
Reigning Red Bull Air Race World Champion, Matt Hall, and one of his protégés Emma McDonald, will show off their aircraft and host a presentation about their incredible career journeys at the Cairns Airport Careers Day on Sunday 27 August.
“Adventure is the word that springs to mind when talking about aviation for me. Every day is a new destination, a new manoeuvre, new people, new events,” Matt said.
“Aviation is growing, not shrinking, and there is and will continue to be a shortage of people in the whole industry, whether that is pilots, engineers, and airport employees.”
The annual event, held at the Cairns Aviation Skills Centre in the Cairns Airport’s General Aviation precinct, is expected to be bigger and better than ever in 2023, including more aircraft displays and a slew of local employers with jobs up for grabs and exciting careers pathways to promote.
Cairns Airport Chief Executive Officer Richard Barker said the aviation industry continued to thrive as the world reopened.
“Airports around the world are growing and adapting, and we are regularly hearing from airlines that they have a huge variety of roles available, from cabin crew, to pilots, to engineers and many more,” he said.
“There are also many incredible training pathways which can lead to long term, well-paid and interesting careers, with global travel opportunities. Cairns is well positioned to be a leader in aviation training and the Cairns Airport Careers Day is an ideal way for members of the community to see what is on offer.”
The event will take place from 9am-12pm and is free to attend, with a sausage sizzle and refreshments available on the day. StarFM’s Dave and Inkie will broadcast live from the event and the CQU Aviation Centre’s Boeing 737 flight simulator will be operating.
Face painting will be on offer for kids, who can get up close to a large range of aircraft and emergency vehicles, while Zoom Helicopters will offer 10 per cent off their flights to all locals on the day, with a fee video of each flight.
Matt Hall and Emma McDonald will be at the event to meet fans throughout the morning and will share stories about their careers from 10.30am.
The duo’s guest appearance at the Cairns Airport Careers Day will come just one day after Emma performs one of their signature displays over the Cairns Esplanade.
Chris Pigott, Aviation Australia Business Manager for North Queensland and Northern Territory, said it was a highly unique opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to watch the display and then meet the inspiring pilots the very next day.
“Matt and Emma will undoubtedly have some amazing stories and valuable insights to share,” he said.
“Aviation overall is a dynamic and exciting industry. We will have more than 20 employers available on the day showcasing what they do and how it could fit into your future. There’s options for school leavers or anyone seeking a change of career.”
Aviation Australia, Skytek, Jet Aviation and Skytrans will be among the operators present at the Cairns Airport Careers Day.
Skytrans has announced plans to introduce hydrogen-electric aircraft to its fleet by 2026. Skytrans Chief Executive Officer Alan Milne said there was huge potential for development in the industry as more operators sought to reduce their environmental impact.
“Aviation is evolving, which is exciting for the industry because it leads to growth in operations and the creation of new jobs,” he said.
“We are looking forward to sharing more about Skytrans, what we do and our future plans at the Cairns Airport Careers Day.”
Those who wish to attend the Cairns Airport Careers Day on Sunday 27 August are encouraged to register at the Cairns Airport website, and bring a hat and sunscreen.