My job: The sky's the limit for instructor

Luke Emerson says safety and keeping up with new technology is a large part of his job as a pilot. Photo / Supplied

Name: Luke Emerson
Age: 26
Role: Airline Academy of Australia flying instructor and part-time lecturer at Griffith University, Queensland.
Working hours: 90 hours a fortnight at flying school, plus lecturing.
Salary: A$55,000-$65,000 ($71,000-$84,000) (combining both roles).
Qualifications: NMIT Diploma in Aviation Science / Griffith University Bachelor of Aviation Science (Queensland). Currently completing Masters in Aviation Management. Grade 2 (B Category) Instructor / Australian Air Transport Pilot licence (AATPL).

What do you do?

I work in two roles. I am a standards instructor at the Airline Academy of Australia. I'm in charge of a team of instructors and 40 students, and instruct (flying) five days a week. The academy trains Griffith University aviation students and Qantas cadets.

Later this year I start training Qantas MCC (multi-crew course) cadets on the 737-800 simulators at the Boeing Training Centre in Brisbane. I'm also about to start some charter work for the Academy, which will involve things like fire spotting.

Why flying?

I enjoy the peace when airborne; it is different from any other job. You're up in the air - what a good office to be in. You're getting away, yet you're doing a job.

You also teach, don't you?

Yes, I lecture third-year students in navigation at Griffith University.

I love it. I started first semester last year and spent hours setting the course, creating materials, doing assignments. I really underestimated how much time that would take but this year will be better because the course is now organised.

Why teaching?

My mum is a lecturer and I've always had a love for teaching. It really appeals to teach at university level. This opportunity came up earlier than I expected and so far I think I'm enjoying it even more than flying.

How did you get into flying?

I was at Auckland Uni doing a law degree but not enjoying it that much. Then my mum bought me a trial flight for my 19th birthday. I loved it.

Flying was something I'd always dreamed about but never thought feasible because of the costs.

I found out Ardmore Flying School (South Auckland) was NZQA accredited and I could get a student loan to train to become a pilot, so I signed up.

What happened then?

I got my private and commercial licences after 18 months, then my multi-engine MCC and then my instructor's licence. That gave me the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) Diploma in Aviation Science, which covered the flight components. After that I continued studying extramurally through Griffith University in Queensland to get the external credits I needed to gain a Bachelor of Aviation Science. I also worked over that time as a senior instructor at Ardmore.

I carried on with the degree because I wanted the academic stimulus and thought it would make me more competitive for future employment - and it did.

Just before graduating from Griffith University last year, I got an interview with Qantas Link and offered a job in Australia, although I had to pass the Australian airline transport pilots license exams to be eligible.

But as I was organising to move over, Qantas called to say everything was on hold because of the recession. I decided to move to Australia anyway and start my Masters in Aviation Management through study contacts I managed to get this job with Airline Academy.

Challenges?

Trying to find a way to meet the learning needs of each student, whether in a lecture or in the air. Safety is a fully-integrated part of the process of flying. I want students enjoy their flying while also fully taking on the importance of regulations and safety processes. Our flying skills and physical health are regularly checked. In my role I have a yearly medical and undergo an annual test assessing my flying skills.

Skills required?

Flying by nature is very methodical and systematic; lots of check lists. You need decision-making skills and a willingness to keep learning because the technology advances continually. Leadership and communication skills are also essential because you always work with a team around you; co-pilots, traffic control and so on.

Advice to others interested in becoming a pilot?

There are different ways to get your pilot's licence, from university courses and flight training schools to private aero clubs.

It is very expensive and requires a lot of study and preparation. To become an instructor in New Zealand you need 300 hours' flying and to pass the flight instructor test. An airline pilot needs between 1000 and 2000 flying hours (depending on the airline you'd like to work for) and an air transport pilot licence.

Your early jobs may not be well paid and may be in remote areas, so you have to be committed to get to the position you want longer term.

Next five years?

I won a teaching award last year, which was pretty cool, and I enjoy lecturing so for now I want to continue to develop my course further and finish off my Masters. Ideally, I'd like to continue to teach and fly.