A Wellington Point State High School graduate has been recognised as one of three recipients of the 2025 aircraft maintenance engineering scholarships awarded by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.
Wellington Point Connection
Aaron Pollard, who attended Wellington Point State High School from 2014 to 2018, was named as a scholarship recipient in September 2025. He is now an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Mechanical at Alliance Airlines in Brisbane.
Scholarship Background
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority offers three scholarships each year, valued at up to $5,000, to support engineers progressing towards their Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 66 licence. Applicants are reimbursed for recognised training and qualification costs, excluding tools, and must complete competencies within the scholarship period.
More than 70 people applied for the 2025 round, with three recipients selected nationally.
Recipients And Experience
Pollard has moved quickly through his career, completing a Certificate IV in Aeroskills (Mechanical) at Aviation Australia in 2024 and finishing his apprenticeship in under two years instead of the usual three. He also worked with Northrop Grumman in both apprentice and engineering roles before joining Alliance Airlines.
Also awarded was Sunshine Coast resident Jacob Mani, who is based in Buderim and works with Jetstar. With nearly two decades of experience, he has worked on aircraft including Lockheed C130 Hercules, Chinook helicopters, Airbus, and Boeing models.
The third scholarship was awarded to Hudson Dagge, based in Perth.
Program Focus
The scholarship program is designed to encourage engineers to complete the training required to become licensed aircraft maintenance engineers and to promote high standards of safety culture within the industry. CASA has indicated a preference for applicants pursuing a Category B licence, which is in demand across the aviation sector.
Future Outcomes
Scholarship recipients will use the funds to cover training costs through approved providers and complete their required competencies. CASA has highlighted the importance of the program in both supporting individual engineers and contributing to the overall safety of Australia’s aviation industry.
Published 20-Sep-2025
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