The University of South Australia has spent $1 million to upgrade its aviation school to help cater for a global shortage of pilots.
The upgrade is set to be completed at the end of April and will include pre-flight, dispatch and post-flight teaching facilities.
"This will significantly benefit the learning and teaching at the aviation academy and will allow us to take on more students each year, which will in turn impact on the airline industry," the university's head of aviation Neil Hyland said.
"Many of our graduates are recruited to fly within regional aviation of Australia through to some of the world's biggest airlines."
Mr Hyland said as the global population continued to become more mobile the demand for aviation skills had never been stronger.
"The advent of the low-cost carrier and associated low fares and increased frequency in the Asia-Pacific region has all contributed to a pilot shortage," he said.
Students at the University of South Australia study for a graduate diploma in aviation and bachelor of applied science (civil aviation), with the three-year course giving them the minimum qualifications necessary to fly for hire.
