Shane Severn from Henley Brook has cracked the big time by winning a job with Cathay Pacific Airways as a Second Officer at the age of 24. A Second Officer is the third in line of command for a flight crew and are used on international or long-haul flights where more than two crew are required to allow for adequate crew rest periods. It is also a starting position for young pilots to progress through to the position of Captain-In-Command. Shane has been assigned to a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 flight crew flying to destinations such as London, Paris, Rome, Dublin and San Francisco.
Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport. It is an award-winning and globally reputed airline, winning the "World's Best Airline" award four times and consistently ranking as among the best airlines in the world.
The Airbus A350-1000 is truly a state-of-the-art aircraft costing US$366.5 million, with new technology throughout the entirety of the aircraft. From the design of the wings that morph and change shape in flight to obtain optimal efficiency to the flight controls and system that reduce the pilot’s workload, this aircraft utilizes modern technology to create a better way of flying. Powering the A350-1000 are Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines - the most powerful engine ever developed for an Airbus aircraft which allow the A350 to cruise at 903kph, at an altitude of up to 43,100 feet. The Cathay A350-1000 carries 334 passengers and is in direct competition to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777.
Shane started flying lessons with the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia located in Jandakot at the age of 14 and flew his first solo flight at the age of 16. He has since worked as a pilot with Rottnest Taxi Service, Aviair in Kununurra and Hardy Aviation in Darwin.
Shane’s qualifications include:-
- Master’s Degree - Master of Aviation Management (University of New South Wales) - Distinction;
- Bachelor’s Degree - Bachelor of Aviation (Edith Cowan University) - High Distinction 84.5
- Graduate Diploma - Flying, Aviation/Airway Management and Operations (Edith Cowan University);
- Airbus A350 Type Rating;
- Multi Engine Command Instrument Rating;
- both an Australian and Hong Kong commercial pilot licence;
- ATPL theory.
- Airport Planning Postgraduate Prize - Sydney Airport (UNSW/Sydney Airport)
- for the best performance in the unit AVIA5006 Airport Planning; - Certificate of Recognition (ECU)
- for being one of the top 100 students for academic achievement out of over 25,000 at Edith Cowan University; - Golden Key International Honor Society Membership (Golden Key)
- awarded to the top 15 percent of students at Edith Cowan University; - Letter of Commendation (ECU)
- for outstanding academic performance, from Head of Engineering School Prof. Daryoush Habibi; - Timothy Lin Memorial Aviation Prize (ECU)
- for the highest overall combined mark in core aviation units Fundamentals of Flight, Aircraft Propulsion 1, Aviation Meteorology, Light Aircraft Performance and Human Factors in Aviation.
“I used to take Shane plane spotting along Kalamunda Road where the jets fly very low just before landing at Perth airport, an awesome sight for people who love flying. He will now fly an airliner bigger than any of those jets he could only then dream about flying. Shane is now truly living his dream!” Shane’s father, Mr Murray Severn said.
an outstanding production which you must watch
!!Shane has returned to Australia and is now a Qantas A330/A350 Second Officer!
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