Take your career to new heights as a commercial pilot

30 October 2024

They say pilots have the best view in the world and many of us have had a pipe dream to travel the globe flying an aeroplane or take in the sights from the spectacular birds-eye perspective of a helicopter.  

At SM TAFE, the prospect of becoming a commercial pilot of an aeroplane or helicopter is entirely possible. Students learn at our real-world Jandakot airport campus, from lecturers who are pilots and flight instructors with a wealth of industry experience in the skies. 

A huge advantage of learning to fly at SM TAFE is that you can apply for a VET Student Loan, to help pay for your studies in the aeroplane pilot or a helicopter pilot course. And with SM TAFE being the only training provider in WA to offer the Helicopter Pilot License course, you could access a VET Student Loan for the amount of up to $96,207 in 2025, if you’re eligible*. 

SM TAFE student Dan is training to be an aeroplane pilot and has made excellent progress in the course, having completed 80 flying hours of the 150 flying hours required and also made some mates for life during his training.  

Dan said he has always had a dream to be an airline pilot and that there are endless career possibilities in the aviation industry.  

“It’s a bit of a leap of faith to become a pilot. Honestly, just go down to SM TAFE and meet the lecturers, they’re all lovely people,” Dan says. 

“I believe SM TAFE is the best route currently to getting your commercial pilot’s license on the strip at Jandakot – just for cost efficiency and diversity. The lecturers at SM TAFE for ground school are unbelievable – any questions you have, they have an answer for,” he added.  

SM TAFE student Elvis is almost a qualified helicopter pilot and is undertaking the AVI50322 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter). Elvis said that the learning environment at SM TAFE has kept him engaged in the course.  

“It’s amazing that when you’re in the classroom you get constantly reminded about why you’re doing this; sitting down learning something and all of a sudden, tables shake because you’ve got a waterbomber going overhead or you’ve got a Royal Flying Doctor jet taking off. It keeps you fired up wanting to keep going,” Elvis explained.  

Elvis says that the skies the limit, but he believes being a pilot is something special and would love to be a charter pilot and take people to cool places and to travel. Eventually, he aspires to help others being a helicopter waterbomber in fire zones or work in Emergency Services in patient transfer, with the ultimate goal of one day being a stunt pilot.  

Want to soar as a commercial pilot? 

Information sessions 

Attend an information session on campus to get all the details on Pilot Studies at SM TAFE. 

Dates and times: 

Thursdays, 10:00am at Jandakot Annexe, 23 Eagle Drive, Jandakot. 

31 October

7, 14, 21 and 28 November 

*The AVI50222 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Aeroplane) and the AVI50322 Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence - Helicopter) are VET Student Loan eligible courses. A VET Student Loan creates a debt that must be repaid to the Commonwealth through the income tax system once your income is above the compulsory repayment threshold and is only available to students who are eligible. To find out if you are eligible visit our VET Student Loans page.