Engineering student success stories
Aviation Australia engineering students move on to successful careers in Aviation. Here are just a few of our student success stories.
Terry O’Reardon
I recently found myself in a tricky situation with my licence suspended by CASA. With limited facilities in the country to undertake the training I required, I contacted Aviation Australia, who was only too happy to help, even though I was in Adelaide.
I was quickly given access to the online training I required and was able to book exams online to do locally at Parafield Airport. When I needed a day’s training at the Brisbane facility, the program was well organised with an early start so that all bases could be covered on the day.
Finally, when I had finished the required exams and training, certification to CASA was quick and CASA reinstated my licence the next day. So despite what had been a daunting prospect at the start of 2018, turned out to be fairly painless due to the assistance I received from Aviation Australia.
Jared Tafuna’i

Firdaus Adris
Being a graduate of Aviation Australia has not only allowed me to build my professional network that would not have been available to me previously, it has also helped me to achieve my academic and career goals. I was able to attend school outside of my home in Singapore and receive amazing tuition and support to bring home with me. I now work for a renowned aviation organisation in Singapore and can not thank Aviation Australia enough for getting me there.
Dominic Miskinis
I have undertaken a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical) at Aviation Australia and really enjoyed learning from possibly the very best in the business, I would like to thank Aviation Australia for providing me with the skills and knowledge I need to succeed in the aviation workforce. Learning as well as meeting the instructors in the industry were certainly highlights for me, along with the practical work with aircraft and components. The employment services were very helpful and I am currently in the process of being employed by a renowned aviation organisation.
Edward Lawrence
My experience at aviation Australia was incredible, learnt so many awesome things while making some great friends and enjoying every
moment of it.
From the class theory to the practical in the hangers instructors were there to help every step of the way and the careers department were amazing in the things they would do for us.
Overall I loved my experience at Aviation Australia.
Ahmed Nafiz
I chose to study at Aviation Australia due to it being a EASA-approved training provider, ensuring that my qualifications would be recognised overseas. Overall, the course was wonderful and helped me to pursue my career in the aviation industry. I am now back in the Maldives working as a junior technician and I have my instructors to thank for that. My favourite part about undertaking the course was conducting practicals and studying alongside my new friends. I loved studying in Brisbane where there is no winter and the city was a great place to hang out outside of school. I recommend that anyone who is thinking of studying at Aviation Australia should go for it – you won’t regret it.
Jermayne Roma
Certificate IV in Aeroskills Mechanical
I have studied twice at Aviation Australia. First back in 2008, I did a Certificate II in Cabin Crew Operations. I decided to change careers, so came back and studied a Certificate IV in Aeroskills Mechanical in 2017. What I enjoyed the most about the course would have been the hands-on experience within the Hangar. I had my challenges, but seeing the end result would me push myself with the challenges and excel myself. I was very fortunate to secure an apprenticeship with Boeing Defence Australia out at Amberley RAAF Base. I’m so honoured to be a part of Boeing. The course taught me the fundamentals which was very helpful and I still utilise the modules Aviation Australia has offered as revision in my spare time.
Syafiq Nasaharudin
Dual Diploma of Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
I chose to study at Aviation Australia because I believed that I could achieve my goal to be an aircraft engineer there. The world-class facilities they provide for students is very hard for any universities in the world to offer.
I am very glad that Aviation Australia not only offers maintenance on actual aircraft, but they also have maintenance practice on actual engines. This gave me a huge benefit for getting the role as a Turbine Engine Engineer in my company, GE Engine Services Malaysia.
I have set myself a goal to become an Approval Holder for any sort of turbine engines that GE delivers into the workshop!
Most of the instructors were tremendously good at what they are doing from teaching to portraying good examples of maintenance practices. I would like to thank my beloved instructors for making me realise and land my dream career. I received the greatest news after completing my International Diploma, by landing my dream career at an internationally recognised engineering corporation at the mere age of 21.
To Robert Webb, your ex-student here will be an engine expert soon just like you! I will definitely utilise every tip and trick you taught us.
To Craig Williams, I did it! Thank you for everything you did for me and the class. Thank you endlessly Aviation Australia!
My advice for students considering studying at Aviation Australia is to never give up and always be the HARDEST worker in the room.
Dave Langan
I started off my journey in the aviation industry by working for Qantas in the catering department. It was here that I learnt more about the aviation industry and developed an interest in an aviation engineering career.
One evening after work I was speaking to an apprentice engineer at Qantas about my career goals and he recommended that I looked into completing a course with Aviation Australia.
Of course I applied and I was very pleased when I was accepted into my Brisbane based course at Aviation Australia.
Conducting practical tasks on the RB211 engine from a Boeing 747 was definitely a highlight of the course for me. Working on real aircraft in Aviation Australia’s hangar allowed me to better understand what we learnt in the classroom.
There is a wealth of knowledge to learn from the instructors at Aviation Australia. The rest of the staff at Aviation Australia were also very helpful; sending emails with job opportunities and providing support where ever it was needed.
Since finishing with Aviation Australia, I have been lucky enough to secure my dream job with Jetstar. Thanks Aviation Australia for helping me along my journey!
Bradley Arikapu
On behalf of my International Diploma class that graduated on 6 May 2016, I would like to thank all the staff at Aviation Australia for their hard work In helping us to achieve success.
It has been a long and hard journey, with some highs and some lows. We have learnt how to stand, walk and pick up ourselves up through it all.
Aviation Australia’s staff are the most amazing people that we have met in our lives, with different personalities, backgrounds and knowledge, who have helped us to know what to expect as an aircraft maintenance engineer.
I have been able to get to know the team very well because of their outgoing personalities and kind hearts. They were always willing to teach, correct and equip us well for the real-world, even on their own time.
Thank you for mentoring us and encouraging us. You guys are awesome!
Jeremy Rasmussen
Aviation Australia helped me to secure a great job working for ExecuJet. Completing all my courses beforehand at Aviation Australia is what gave me the edge over other applicants.
Since starting my new job, I have learnt so much and get to work with some great engineers who have so much experience for me to learn from. My career prospects are fantastic. Becoming a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) is just over the horizon once my extra diploma courses are complete.
I also get to work on a huge variety of business and private jet aircraft, including Global Expresss and XRS, Gulfstreams IV, 550 and 650, Learjet, Challengers, Hawkers and Embraer! I am always busy and absolutely love my job!
Keith Naylor
I am a 40 year old male who has spent the last 20 years within the construction industry. In 2012, I embarked on a career change due to my interest in aviation. After considering all other RTO’s, I enrolled in Aviation Australia’s Certificate IV Aeroskills Structures/Mechanical course in 2013. I chose Aviation Australia due to their state of the art facilities and their hands-on, complete course package. Their facilities replicated the real world in aviation, from their range of live aircraft within the hangar, to their avionics, engine, structures (metal and composites), workshops, spray booth and fully equipped parts and tool store.
The course was delivered in a professional easy learning, hands on enjoyable way. The most enjoyable experience for me was definitely the practical experience. One minute you are head down in theory and the next minute you are in the hangar working on live aircraft or in a workshop. Equally enjoyable was absorbing the knowledge, history and stories received from the instructors; they provide you with more knowledge of the aviation industry than just the theory alone.
My advice is this – if you are serious in becoming successful then take this course seriously. Aviation Australia will give you everything you need and more to be successful in aviation but at the end of the day you will only get out of it what you put in.
Lance Litchfield
During studies at Aviation Australia, in Structures/Mechanical theory for a Cert IV in Aeroskills, we needed to develop a depth of knowledge in the theory of flight and aviation mechanics, as well as practical work in structures. There was a considerable amount of information to digest, and a lot of it was quite difficult to visualise and consolidate. One such example was with control surfaces, where we needed to study the operation and use of control tabs. I found it challenging to get a solid picture of the movements of each surface when an actuator input would be applied, and so I made a mock-up of such a system derived from the text book illustrations and text. This was the basis of a project I took upon myself, with the encouragement and support of my instructor Steve Jokai, to make a training aid for future students.
With knowledge gained in mechanics with Steve, and my structures instructor Mick Staples, I was able to complete most of the metal work needed in the school workshop. After graduation, I was able to find some time to complete the project in my own home based workshop and assemble and fine tune the working parts. The completed project was presented soon afterwards, and is a working model of four types of control tab systems: Balance tab, anti-balance tab, servo tab, and spring tab. The model is a combination of customised and improvised parts, made and borrowed from materials and components from different industries. My aim was for students are able to make use of the training aid during studies, hopefully making the topic easier to grasp and study for.
Rachel Dudok
I completed my Certificate IV and Diploma in Aeroskills (Avionics) at Aviation Australia. The decision to study with Aviation Australia was easy for me as they really stood out as a leader in aviation training. Their reputation is renowned both nationally and internationally.
I enjoyed the hands-on approach of the courses available at Aviation Australia as it has taken my learning beyond theory, allowing me to put my learnt skills into practice. I have learnt to apply my knowledge through experiences like working in teams and also active involvement in our practical activities, which led to me feeling better prepared to enter the workforce.
I also liked that our instructors use real-life examples in their teaching as they have many years of industry knowledge and experience to share with their students.
My advice to prospective students is to make the most of every opportunity when you study with Aviation Australia. The instructors can provide a wealth of knowledge, and the student and employment services was an invaluable resource that benefited me professionally. You have the opportunity to make lifelong friends from all over the country and the world. Aviation Australia set me up for success!
Takuya Owaki
I chose to study my diploma with Aviation Australia due to the real-world experience that is provided by training on operational aircraft in the on-campus hangar. As well as the exceptional facilities, it is the only school in Australia to be recognised by EASA.
The instructors are extremely knowledgeable, due to their first-hand experience within the industry. They are always there to assist you when you most need it; even now, years after graduating!
The highlight of my time studying with Aviation Australia was the practical training, as it is intimately linked to the practical work I now undertake in my current position at an internationally recognised airline.
To prospective students, I highly advise you pursue your training with Aviation Australia – you will learn what you need to pursue your aviation career goals, as well as meeting lifelong friends and valuable mentors.
Kim Taekyeong
The brilliant instructors can be described as ‘avengers’ in my eyes! They explained everything in explicit detail and always assisted students wherever possible.
The practical training we undertook as students ensured that we were best prepared for the ‘real world’, by training on operating aircraft, within a fully operational hangar. Aviation Australia’s practical training facilities and hands-on approach is intimately linked to my current job, which is working on aircraft for an internationally recognised airline.