After 14 years in the aviation industry, Hayden Saunders is taking the next step towards becoming a licensed aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME).
He’s built a solid career – from starting as an apprentice at Qantas, to now working at Nauru Airlines in Brisbane – specialising in aircraft structures and mechanics.
His hard work has now been recognised with one of CASA’s 2026 aviation maintenance engineer (AME) scholarships, presented at a special event recently at CASA’s Brisbane office.
The scholarship program provides recipients with $5,000 to work towards attaining their accreditation to become a LAME. It encourages aircraft maintainers to develop specialist skills and expertise to help them continue their careers in an exciting and challenging industry.
On hearing the good news, Hayden said he was ‘just stoked!’
‘I couldn’t believe it when I first heard that I was successful,’ he adds. ‘You apply to these types of things not thinking you’re going to get it, but when I got the call to say I had been successful, I couldn’t believe it.’
Hayden says he plans to use the scholarship funds to complete his studies for his B1 licence.
‘I’m currently working towards my B1.1 licence through Sigma Aerospace College, where I’m hoping to finish by late next year,’ he explains.
‘With a young family, the scholarship funding will give me an extra boost to help me complete the course.’
Hayden is a proud First Nations Australian and hopes his success will inspire other Indigenous Australians to consider a career in aircraft maintenance.
‘Aircraft maintenance engineering is such an important role – without AMEs and LAMEs, there wouldn’t be an aviation industry,’ he says.
‘If I can be a positive role model for others, it would be something I’d be incredibly proud of.’
He reiterates that the key to success is having passion, energy, and enthusiasm for the work.
‘If you have these, you can go far in this game because the opportunities are there,’ he explains.
‘And for anyone already working in the industry, I encourage them to take up opportunities like the AME scholarship, because it can make a real difference in helping you achieve your career goals.
‘And for those like me who might doubt their chances, there’s no harm in applying. After all, you need to be in it to win it!’
CASA will begin taking applications for the next round of AME scholarships in early 2027.
