So I've applied for the bachelor of aviation/commerce course next year. My only problem is that I intend to join the RAAF. I missed out my chance for the 2011 ADFA intake and the closest time i could be accepted for DE/ADFA would be in 2012. Instead of wasting a year, I thought i could do a year of this course and hopefully get transferred (worst comes to worst i would finish this course). After reading numerous threads here, I've had second thoughts.

I attended the swinburne open day and a third year student told me they had one guy who did exactly that. Left his course after a year as soon as he got accepted to ADF (he had hopes of becoming a fighter pilot). If I did one year at swinburne, would I be illegible for transfer to ADFA?

So my question is should I continue with this course, get massively in debt and hope to get accepted into the ADF as soon as possible or do a different degree and pay for my PPL when I can. I've even thought about going to the mines and racking enough to support flight lessons.

What would you guys do in my position? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I know the community must get sick of answering questions like this on a non-stop basis, but the knowledge and experience here is simply amazing. I'd love to contribute massively to this forum in the future after experience in the real world.

p.s For the aviation course, Do you pay per semester/year or all out? I would hate to use the Fee-help and be in debt of 80k+ after only completing one year.

pps I think i might have posted this in the wrong section, sorry! :sad:

Sashiruski

University College (ADFA) is part of UNSW, but even so entry to ADFA is a separate application to be made through the NSW Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), and also needs interviews etc.

One option for you might be to do the Bachelor of Aviation (Management) at UNSW (Sydney), and you then only pay HECS for your first year. You will need an ATAR of 80 +. This will give you some good initial grounding in civil aviation management, and hopefully increase your chances of RAAF entry, through your obvious motivation.

Obviously if you like it you will be able to continue on, and perhaps do your flying training at Bankstown on a private basis if you don't get into the RAAF.

If you start the UNSW BAv (Management) in 2011, you can apply for transfer to UNSW BAv (Flying) later in 2011, and begin your flying in 2012 (provided you pass year 1). There is no FEE help, but on the other hand you will also not have to pay the upfront postgrad fee of ~$15K in order to access the loan of ~$86K. Total flying fees at UNSW are ~$100K (incl CPL, CMEIR, ATPL, Multi=Crew). They use Diamond DA40, DA42.

The email address is on their website at www.aviation.unsw.edu.au; but I think is aviationATunsw.edu.au (AT=@<hidden>).

There are many pathways: read the fine print.

good luck

Seabreeze

Seabreeze

Firstly, thank you for your input. I appreciate it alot.

That actually sounds like a great pathway to take. However I fear that it might be too late to obtain entry for 2011 (i'll be researching this tonight as I'm running out of time). If it's too late, I'm thinking i could do a year of Bachelor of Aviation (Management) at swinburne and then hopefully transfer?

Once again, thanks for your input, it has opened up some new doors.

Thanks mate.

All NSW university programs are available for application at

Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Undergraduate website (http://www.uac.edu.au/undergraduate/)

There is a late fee payable I think, but if you get your application in before Christmas it should be considered for main round offers

Seabreeze