Ad Astral Aviation in Perth

[tuaapache]

Hi all ppruners,
I am deciding whether I should do my mecir at Ad Astral in Perth or Johnston aviation. Has any of you ever heard of or trained at Ad Astral Aviation?
If any of you have, can you comment on the school in terms of training, instructors, and the cost? Both places told me that it would take about six weeks to finish the course. It just sounds a bit unrealistic to me. How can anyone finish Meir in six weeks?
Any comments would appreciated.
Cheers

[kingRB]

Sorry cant personally comment about either operator first hand, but depending on your experience level, I dont think 6 weeks is unreasonable at all? I comfortably did the flying component of it full time in 4 weeks. Self study for IREX about 2 weeks.

[whiskey1]

Did my Instrument Rating a few years ago at Ad Astral.
On time and on budget.
Flew the program exactly as planned.
Very impressed. Have used them for a few renewals as well.
Thumbs up from me. :ok:

W1

[The Green Goblin]

You will have no problems.

These days you are paying for ad-astral the brand as opposed to ad-astral the product.

When we all went through the system you flew with RM, he was tough and you knew how to keep yourself out of trouble when you finished.

These days you are taught by whipper snappers from China Southern who have migrated across.

While the product is still good, you are paying for the brand and ad-astral on your resume.

Chances are if you're looking at employment west side, the company check captains/chief pilots you will be interviewed by did their IR with RM. This means you are part of the club.

It's worth the money and they have a good reputation, but it's certainly not flying around in a duchy with RM like it was ten years ago.

Then again, this is the case everywhere these days. No real experience in the lower ranks of flight instructors anymore :{

[scottbritten]

I've just recently completed my MECIR with Ad Astral and would happily recommend them. I came in on cost and completed it within a 5 week timeframe, including both Duchy's in for maintenance at the same time, then I got sick for half a week. So 6 weeks should be a safe timeline estimate. Did my training with a few of the junior guys but found them to be great, both knowledge wise and keen. Time over again and I'd still chose them and will likely end up doing renewals there in the future.

[flying-spike]

Did my CIR with them 17 years ago with RM and if the new guys hold his standard you won't have a problem. They probably wouldn't be as funny as him though. I remember him teaching me NDB intercepts onto an arc and sprouting also sorts of trigonometry then when he saw the look on my face he said " If that doesn't work, try TLAR. With me being more befuddled he explained "point in the general direction until That Looks About Right!"

[tuaapache]

Do they have ground school as well or it is all self study?
How is the IREX theory exam?
Did the weather affect your training much at all since it is all IFR?
How often do you get to fly and do you have to go to school every day?
Did it take you a long time to get used to the procedure and airport during your training? I actually did my CPL training in South Australia, I am a bit worried that it might take me sometime to get used to it.
Cheers

[kellykelpie]

Did it with Ad Astral early 90s - have the best pedigree in the country if you know about RM. I was lucky to have RC who was straight from 2 OCU, RM who was previously CO at Pearce and AA - an ex Mirage pilot. This was a classy outfit!

Still reflect on the training 20 years later...

[tuaapache]

Perth airport as I understand is a major domestic airport. Does this factor affect the amount of time in the air since there could be a lot of traffic coming in and out? I need to do my night flying as well. How would at do this at an airport this since? I just can't imagine doing solo night circuit when there is a big jet coming in! Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers

[maehhh]

How would at do this at an airport this since? I just can't imagine doing solo night circuit when there is a big jet coming in!

Hrhr... I did that in Germany all day for PPL/NVFR... not only at night, that's how I learned flying :ok: Great fun!



Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers

doubt it

[The Green Goblin]

You won't be doing any solo flying, it's all dual.

You also won't be flying at night.

[mcgrath50]

I believe you have to have 5 hours night circuits and 2 or 3 hours night nav for a CIR, if you don't have a NVFR you have to do that as part of IFR. It's in the CAO requirements for the rating

[The Green Goblin]

They won't start the course with you until you already have those 5 command hours at night, or have plans to get them immediately.

Most guys get a 150 and flog around the circuit at JT for 5 hours or so.....

[tuaapache]

That is true. I just got the response from them "we can do some of the flying component at night during your training. This is only intended to give you 2-3 hours to help pad out the 10hours required for your MECIR test. Unfortunately we do not have the means to do night flying or even solo as our aircraft is not insured for solo students, so you may have to go to a flying school at Jandakot to build your night time up there in the circuit area." They also ask me to pay up front $17,000 in one go and there is no ground school. I think that is a bit risky paying that amount of money. Are there any other good schools that do MECIR beside Johnston Aviation? How is Johnston anyway in terms of training, cost, accommodation, aircraft, length of training and aircraft?
Cheers

[Lasiorhinus]

Never pay up front for anything in aviation.


Also, broaden your search. Johnstons and Ad Astral are not the only places to do an instrument rating.

[Josh Cox]

I have had nothing to do with Ad Astral, they do have a very good reputation.

Johnson's on the other hand, I completed my Instrument Rating there, they provide accommodation, its in a Baron in a quiet airport, there are all the approaches you will need near by.

PMQ is a lovely town, lots of great things to do after hours.

Jamie, Anne and their first born Kev are awesome people.

I would personally avoid big aerodromes, Perth specifically, I'm not saying that because Ad Astral are there, again they have a very good reputation. Perth is a very very busy airport.

[tuaapache]

Have any of you ever heard of or trained with Tasair in Tasmania?
They train in a Shrike or Aero commander. Can anyone comment on the school?
Cheers

[Monopole]

How would at do this at an airport this since? I just can't imagine doing solo night circuit when there is a big jet coming in! Hrhr... I did that in Germany all day for PPL/NVFR... not only at night, that's how I learned flying http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.pprune.org/get/images/smilies/thumbs.gif Great fun!



Quote:
Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers
doubt it
Yes, there is accommodation nearby. Some right on the road into the airport. Besides Marcoona (or whatever its called) there are several B&Bs aswell as short term boarding accommodation on Bearley Ave.

As for the upfront payment (and to be honest I'm suprised they've asked for it). I dont care how good they are, do not pay 17K upfront.

[tuaapache]

Now they told me a different thing. "we ask for a $500 deposit to confirm the course start date then a $3000 fee upon starting to cover the training. Once you have passed the flight test then the account is then finalised."
First they told me I got to pay up front now (17,000) now they told me I can pay $3,000 the first week then pay the rest after I am done with the course. What the heck? It sounds a bit fishy to me. I am not saying that the school is bad or anything but it is just funny how they can give me two different answers in such a short time.

[Josh Cox]

I would not pay for anything, especially in aviation, "up front".

In the past this demand was made of me, I said no and I settled my account every Friday morning.

Do not pay for anything "up front", ever ( especially in aviation ).

[Hot High Heavy]

Ad Astral was great, did mine there 12 months ago. From memory, paid $500 up front then about $3000 every few weeks to cover the progressive costs. THere's nothing dodgy or fishy about them at all!

The training is top notch too although RM can be prickly in the air during the flight test.

The only downside was the Dutchies needing maintenance and the airport being so busy meaning some delays getting back into PPH after airwork at RTI. Also, Perth is bloody expensive these days if you havent got family or friends there so consider that in your costs. I had to hire a car for 5 weeks plus living costs. It all adds up.

Definately the way to go tho

[tuaapache]

Sorry to ask, is RM a flight test officer?
How often did you get to fly?
You said that the Duchy needs maintenance, did that happen constantly?
I suppose there is no accommodation nearby?
Did you actually finish the course like they quoted?
Was all the training take place in a duchy or you did some in cessna then duchy?
The problem for is I need to have five hours of solo night flying and they told me that I have to do that at Jandakot, it is too much of a hassle.
I don't really know why it would take four to six months to finish the MECIR in my country where it takes only a month and a half in aus.
Cheers

[tuaapache]

What about Oxford Aviation Academy? Heard they are pretty good but quite expensive.

[YPJT]

I thought the mods had banned threads about training schools :confused:

[XX-ANY]

Yes RM is ATO a bonus!

How much do you want fly in one day? could two a day if you wanted

All aircraft need maintenance from time to time?

Accommodation walking distance? maybe not

Give or take $1k but it depends on yourself how experienced are you? it is not a walk in the park you earn it!

MECIR Twin Only

Yes Night Solo, IREX and KDR's get them out of the way first, it is no way a rating that is handed to you, RM has done this for years he has standard if you don't perform you will not pass but he will find out why and rectify it!

[tuaapache]

Is Ad Astral registered with the CRICOS? I tried searching for the school on this website The Australian Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) (http://cricos.deewr.gov.au/) but nothing showed up.
Cheers

[tuaapache]

Do they only charge for the airswitch since Perth is busy as hell or they charge both the logbook and air switch? Also, anyone out there from overseas who did the training there, please give me some advices on visa.
Cheers

[FRQ Charlie Bravo]

Yes, four years ago it was all charged on AirSwitch (good when you consider waiting 20 minutes after calling ready or requesting taxy some times).

WRT the financial arrangements, that's the same deal I had four years ago. $500 to secure the spot (completely reasonable), $3,000 to start flying (again, completely reasonably as it's highly unlikely that they're going to close the doors and flee that night in the time between you paying and burning up the $3k).

I finished on-time and on-budget even though I had to repeat 1/2 of a lesson (I thought it was a good idea to squeeze in a lesson on the same day as a funeral... what was I thinking?); they did their best to shave a bit of time off of subsequent flights to account for the repeated flight.

There are a few motels nearby but don't expect any Hiltons (ask Ad Astral). Maybe pick up a cheap push bike and try to flog it to another student or maybe even take it home if you can't sell it or afford to 'donate' it.

FRQ CB

[tuaapache]

Did it take you a long time to get use to flying the twins and IFR procedures?
I actually did my CPL training without night flying in South Australia, so would it be troublesome flying in a totally new environment and airspace?
Did you live in a house or you lived in a motel near the airport?
How was the IREX and did you self study?
Was there a lot of students when you were training? Any international students?
My concern is that I have to wait a long time to get a chance to fly just like when I was doing my CPL training due to instructors and aircraft availability.
Cheers