Alumni Profile Cameron Tribe (1991)
A grounded pilot makes the best of Covid and enrols at Harvard University I started my pilot training when I was at CGS, you can take your first licence test at 16. My dad, Jeff Tribe (1963), also an Old Grammarian, would drive me to Moorabbin airport for lessons – I couldn’t drive a car, but I could fly. After finishing at CGS in 1991, I commenced a Bachelor of Technology in Aviation at Swinburne University. It was the first year a degree majoring in aviation was offered in Australia, with only 16 of us on the course. After my bachelor’s degree, I landed a job as a flight instructor in Melbourne where I would spend my days teaching new pilots to take-off and land (called ‘circuits’), fly in cloud, navigate using rivers and roads (no GPS back then), and fly aerobatics. In 1997, I moved to Brisbane to fly for a large freight company. I was treated to some of the most scenic flying through Cape York and Papua New Guinea; often transporting interesting cargo, from baby crocodiles to gold bullion. New Guinea is also renowned for having the most challenging airstrips in the world – I can attest to that! In 2001 I joined what started as Virgin Blue Airlines and flew the iconic Boeing 737 aircraft. I became a check and training captain, responsible for training new airline pilots and other more experienced pilots being promoted to captain. The flying network was diverse, and I spent a great deal of time in Indonesia, Fiji and New Zealand, as well as most of Australia’s cities. Along the way, I furthered my studies by completing a Master of Technology Management at Swinburne University in 2007. In 2012 I transferred to the Airbus A330 aircraft, flying regular services to Hong Kong. It is a beautiful city to fly over at night and has a vibrant blend of cultures, old and new. I met my wife Davida and we married in 2004. She is also an airline pilot who now flies the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Qantas. We have been lucky enough to have lived in South Melbourne for the last 11 years, we’re right next door to the wonderful South Melbourne market, so the pantry is always full of great market produce! After flying for the last three decades, this last year has put a stop to international travel for a while for both passengers and pilots alike. I decided to take a sabbatical and was accepted into Harvard University to commence a Master of Education in Technology and Innovation. After 25 years of using flight simulators to train airline pilots, I’m now applying virtual reality technology to reimagine aerospace simulation training. I’m also fortunate to collaborate with Harvard’s academic neighbour, MIT, in developing virtual environments for STEM education. The only downside is that I traded a warm Melbourne summer for a snowy Boston winter! I really enjoy teaching and developing pilots to achieve their professional goals. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your trainee land a 220-tonne jet for the first time or have another pass their final captain’s check. I also enjoy using technology to enhance learning experiences,
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