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, especially immersive simulation, where you can be put ‘in the moment’. It’s really powerful in learning to be able to ‘fail safely’, reflect on the experience and improve. Simulation is a masterful tool in that way. It’s difficult to know how long COVID will keep global travel on hold, but I am enjoying this opportunity to research and implement virtual simulation technologies for aerospace education and development. I am fortunate to be working alongside energetic, smart and passionate people who push me to think deeper about innovative technology. If the last year has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected, and embrace it.

What I enjoyed most while at school was the community at CGS. There was always a club, sport, or activity to appeal to everyone’s interest. I loved the language programs, and while I was certainly no sporting star, the ability to try wide range of sports was great. I also enjoyed the many Old Grammarians who gave up their time and came to speak with students about their careers. By far the best aspect though, is the friendships you make at CGS; it feels like yesterday that we left, but here we are, 30 years later! For the boys in their final year at CGS, I would suggest that they keep an open mind, be curious and ask questions. You may not know what path you want to pursue, or you may have one firmly in sight, but either way you will have several careers over your working life and opportunities to explore several paths. Regardless, try to develop a broad view, a growth mindset and a drive to think critically. The future of work will demand that we embrace change and disruption, see setbacks as opportunities, be creative, be design focused, and assemble a broad set of skills that can be applied across fields.

“Seek out mentors in the areas that interest you, personal or professional, ask questions and really listen to what they have to offer.”

Mentorship is also important. Seek out mentors in the areas that interest you, personal or professional, ask questions and really listen to what they have to offer. It can sometimes feel confronting to ask for mentorship, but you’ll soon discover that many experienced professionals are very willing to provide advice if you simply ask. They all once started out just where you are now. I encourage my aerospace mentees to curate a “board” of mentors, across genders and disciplines for a balanced perspective. Finally, take advantage of the Alumni network, it has a global reach, across professions, cultures and generations. We continue to help each other, long after we leave CGS.