SA vs Australia training

[Gix Girl]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum so here go the questions!!

I'm starting my heli pilot training in Jan '07 in South Africa as that's where i live. In two years my husband and i will be emmigrating to Australia where i'd like to work as (any kind!) of pilot.

Anyone got any advice on the job market in Australia, good Aussie recruitment sites, or the types of work h pilots can find in Australia? anyone know of any problems xSA's pilots might face trying to work in Australia?

Any advice is REALLY appreciated.

Thanks, Cindy

[Heliport]

There's a thread (on this page at the moment) about Training, Licence Conversion and Job Prospects in Australia.

Link here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=124748)

[Gix Girl]

Thanks man, got a lot of insight from that one. although it's easy to get information overload when it comes to decision making. i was playing it so cautious and had so many tough decision i couldn't make.

in the end i'm gonna go "b's" to the wall and start training. my attitude at the moment is that even if i spend everything i have and all the time i have on my training i don't mind where it lands me. i guess i'm not in this for the money, just wanna fly.

my biggest concern was the industry's attitude towards women, and now i'm pretty confident that we stand a fair chance....so here goes :>

[Oogle]

Gix

I came across a SA heli student whilst in Europe who was about to start their training (in SA). By the sounds of it, the cost of training over there was outrageous. Apparantly some promise of joy rides/charter after their training.

Look at the cost of training in Oz but remember to include all the little stuff as well (accommodation, living expenses, etc). NOT QUITE SURE but, around $45000 AUD for a commercial heli pilot licence here in Aus.

Food for thought and good luck. :ok:

[dragonsfly]

Gix
Where in Australia do you intend to live? As you can se by that rather lengthy thread, there are some good operators and ones to avoid. Some will help you get a start, others are sausage factories that promise the world and deliver nothing.
DF

[Gix Girl]

I know what you mean - it's a third cheaper than training here. we still haven't decided where we'll settle - that's the tough part.

going to check out a few operators and see from there. thanks for your advice!

[robsrich]

There are about 26 schools in Australia and a dozen or so in NZ, which should not be overlooked; with the exchange rate, etc., although their CPL is longer than the Aussie licence.

So you have a choice of around 38 - 40 to choose from. Being such a big geographical area; it depends where you settle in the short term.

PM me and I can source a list for you. Then get out an atlas and have some fun with odd names??