A seasoned commercial pilot from New South Wales has issued a compelling call to action, urging more Australians to pursue pilot licenses to safeguard the future of the aviation industry while highlighting the substantial earning potential that awaits qualified aviators.
From Events Management to Aviation Excellence
Amelia Johnson, a 43-year-old former events management business owner from Sydney, made a dramatic career shift in 2018 after experiencing her first solo flight as a light plane pilot. Seven years later, she has risen to become a senior instructor at Aero Hunter Flight Training in the Upper Hunter region.
Johnson now finds herself in an industry where experienced pilots can command salaries reaching £300,000 annually, yet she's concerned about the future of Australian aviation without fresh talent entering the field.
The Urgent Need for New Aviation Talent
"We need young people, like any industry, to keep it alive and keep the technology improving and the skills passed down through the generations," Johnson emphasised in her appeal to prospective pilots.
She voiced serious concerns about the potential impact on travel networks if more people don't consider aviation careers. "We want to be able to travel around Australia and internationally. We need to encourage young people to look at aviation as a career option, otherwise that travel will cease."
According to aviation salary guides, the financial progression in this field is substantial. Entry-level commercial pilots operating smaller regional jets typically earn between £80,000 and £100,000 per year. As experience grows, First Officers at major airlines or Captains at regional carriers can expect salaries ranging from £120,000 to £180,000.
The most senior positions offer particularly impressive remuneration. Senior Captains who operate long-haul routes and wide-bodied aircraft regularly take home more than £200,000 annually, with some exceeding £300,000.
The Realities of Pilot Training and Career Progression
Johnson was candid about the initial challenges facing new pilots. "It's tricky at first. Your first pay packet is very low. You might be earning £60 an hour flying a single-engine aircraft," she admitted.
She also highlighted the common gap between qualification and employment. "When you first graduate from training courses, you have your commercial pilot's licence, but it would be very rare to get a job straight away."
The financial investment required to become a commercial pilot is significant, with Johnson noting that the cheapest route to qualification still costs approximately £80,000. The training process demands considerable commitment, with full-time study taking between one year and 18 months.
Aspiring pilots must first obtain a recreational licence, then successfully complete seven examinations and several cross-country flights lasting three and a half hours each. By the time a pilot qualifies for airline positions, they will have undertaken at least 17 written exams and multiple flight tests.
Addressing Gender Imbalance in Aviation
Beyond financial barriers, Johnson is passionate about addressing the significant gender imbalance in her industry. Recent data from Qantas's 2025 Gender Pay Gap Statement reveals that only 7.5% of pilots are women.
"It's the last frontier of women getting their equality. It's crazy that there's still an industry where there's so little female representation," Johnson stated.
Her own path to aviation was delayed by industry perceptions. Despite childhood aspirations inspired by her namesake Amelia Earhart, Johnson was deterred by military recruitment presentations at career expos. "When I went to a careers expo as a teenager, there were two huge, big, burly defense guys in uniform saying, 'Come to the military'. At the age of 17, there was no way that I was prepared to leave my mum and dad and go and learn to fly fighter jets."
She also noted the lack of guidance she received at her girls' school regarding the specific mathematics and science requirements for aviation careers.
Changing Perceptions and Building Confidence
Having qualified as an adult, Johnson believes the industry has evolved and emphasises that the best way to encourage more women into aviation is through increased visibility of female pilots.
"It's not all about being macho. It's about being studious and knowing everything about the industry," she explained. "I've been really curious and obsessed about everything to do with aviation, and that's what makes it so interesting."
Johnson reflected that her younger self might have struggled with confidence in this field. "If I had entered that classroom at a younger age, without the confidence that I have now, I may have felt that I wasn't good enough, that I wasn't smart enough, that I wasn't tough enough."
She firmly believes that seeing more women in aviation roles will naturally encourage others to follow.
Essential Qualities for Aspiring Pilots
When asked about the characteristics needed for success in aviation, Johnson highlighted intellectual curiosity above all. "It's about being studious, really curious and obsessed about everything to do with aviation," she said.
While strength in mathematics and science isn't strictly necessary, Johnson considers it beneficial. She also emphasised the importance of adventure and flexibility. "I think a sense of adventure would also be crucial. You would need to travel a lot, live and work in places all over Australia - whether in the outback or near the ocean - that you wouldn't normally choose. Just be open."
The earning potential increases dramatically with experience and aircraft complexity, as Johnson noted: "As you get into more complex aircraft, fly more types of engines - from piston to turbo to jet - the pay goes up to £1,000 an hour."
Her message to Australians considering a career change or young people planning their future is clear: aviation offers substantial rewards for those willing to invest the time, money and effort required to join this vital industry.
