Flying in Australia

[rokami93]

Hello,

I would like to do some flying vacation in Australia. Any recommendations and hints where to start looking? How much would chartering a smaller plane be and what else do I need to know as a FAA PPL/IFR pilot?

Any trips you have done and are recommendable to repeat?

Thanks!

[sargon]

The CASA site has got the details on what your options are with a foreign license.
Civil Aviation Safety Authority - Converting foreign licences (http://casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?WCMS:STANDARD::pc=PC_90024)

You might also consider getting an RA-AUS license. You cant fly in controlled airspace with an an RA-AUS license but your FAA license might let you. You would have to call them. They can give you all the details and are very helpful
Recreational Aviation Australia (http://www.auf.asn.au/)

If you are planning to start at Sydney then I could recommend Schofields at Bankstown as a school worth speaking to. I am a member and have had no complaints.
Schofields Flying Club Home Page (http://www.schofields-flying-club.com.au/)

There are other schools but I have no experience of them so cant comment on them.

As for cost you can have a look at the Schofields website for typical examples.

RA-AUS will normally be cheaper but they are 2 seater day VFR only but people happily tour round in them. Depends on what you want to do and how quickly you want to do it.

For documentation such as VFR flight guides, details on maps etc you need to look at the airservices website
Airservices Australia (http://www.airservices.gov.au/)

Hope this is of some help.

[Mark1234]

Tips - start the paperwork (validation, security) way way ahead of time. It may take ages. Last time I checked, around 170aud/hr for something like a C172.

Where and what depends upon your experience, desires, and nav competance / ability. It also (massively) depends on the season, and where you are in the country.

Sydney's victor 1 is well worth doing (harbour scenic, and low level coastal). If you're used to the eurozone, you'd be amazed where you can fly.

Otherwise I highly, highly recommend the outback, it's a different world. But that would depend on personal comfort levels, and how happy you are being away from the world.

[rokami93]

Thank you very much, guys! This was exactly the information I needed.


I was googling around but really didn't get the right start. A bit later in my planning I might ask for recommendations on nice roundtrips. Yet I don't know if I will be for 2 or 4 weeks or even longer.

Thanks again!:ok: