Info on being a pilot in AU

[cashton]

Hello everyone
I will be starting my cpl through the end of this year but based on what i have been seeing, it seems like its quite a challenge to get a job in airlines in Australia. The reason I am getting my atpl in Australia is because I can benefit the VET-FEE help scheme.I am half Australian half Turkish and at the moment Turkish Airlines is making a massive investment and ordered 100+ new aircrafts. There is another private airline in Turkey which also ordered 100 aircrafts. Although getting a job in Turkey doesn't look like a challenge I would still prefer to stay in Australia and get my career start in here. Unfortunately there are very limited resources to get relevant information about being a pilot in AU. Such as, I do not have any idea of what the wages are. In some place it says $60000 as a starters,and in another it says $90000. I am confused. If anyone can help me I would really be appreciated.
Also the academy I will be studying is Australian Wings Academy. So any feedback about that would be highly appreciated.

[the_rookie]

Limited resources? You need to do some more homework I think

[Anthill]

Starting salary at $90k? Even $60k sounds high.

[172driver]

One thing to consider, especially if you want / need to move back to Turkey for a job, is what kind of license you will get. OZ is a totally standalone license, IOW neither EASA / JAR nor FAA. How much good this will do you in job hunting is for you to decide, but my guess would be - not a lot.

[PA39]

Make sure you first obtain your RSI or Cab license!!:rolleyes:

[TequilaMockingbird]

Such as, I do not have any idea of what the wages are. In some place it says $60000 as a starters,and in another it says $90000.
Here's the Air Pilots Award 2010
http://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/modern_awards/pdf/MA000046.pdf

Unfortunately there are very limited resources to get relevant information about being a pilot in AU.
What other info are you looking for? So far you have just talked about wages.

[Aero_mike]

Hi guys, I'm really keen to start a career in aviation as a pilot and have been checking out this site for a while and have a few questions...

- what are the job opportunities like out there?(I'm willing to go almost anywhere!!), I've been looking at sites like AFAP, career jet, best aviation... And they look promising, Is there anywhere else I could look?. I'm just trying to get the idea of the industry:)

-does anyone have any recent info/recommendations on flight schools in the archerfield, Gold Coast area??, I've been looking on this site and most of it seems to be out dated and a lot of difference between fees

E.g. For a ppl at a certain flight school in archerfield is approx $16500
For a ppl at a certain flight school on the Gold Coast is approx $27000

Any idea why they would be so much different?, better training maybe?

Anyway any info or insight would be much appreciated!!!

[mcgrath50]

For a ppl at a certain flight school in archerfield is approx $16500
For a ppl at a certain flight school on the Gold Coast is approx $27000

Any idea why they would be so much different?, better training maybe?

In my experience, spending time around 4 different flying school now, cost has very little to do with quality, the most expensive I've been involved with I found the worst. The best was middle of the road price wise and the cheapest wasn't that far from the best in quality.

As has been said 1,000 times, do your research, visit the schools/clubs, talk to the instructors and CFI and talk to people in the area you trust for a recommendation, PPRuNe can have great advice but also can be highly biased.

The most important things to look for is somewhere that is comfortable and that gives you an instructor who is knowledgeable, will stick with you for as long as possible (ie; not about to move on) and who's teaching style works for you, I had an instructor I loved that a mate couldn't stand. That's hard to judge without experience and is a bit of trial and error, so don't rush into it, talk to people and DON'T prepay for anything!

[Aero_mike]

Alright thanks for the tips ill keep that info in mind!:)

[TequilaMockingbird]

What are the job opportunities like out there?(I'm willing to go almost anywhere!!),
Are you looking to instruct? And yes, be prepared to move.

I've been looking at sites like AFAP, career jet, best aviation... And they look promising Is there anywhere else I could look?
Once you start you training, be sure to actually get out there and start networking with potential employers. This means face-to-face, not just looking on the internet.


a lot of difference between fees
E.g. For a ppl at a certain flight school in archerfield is approx $16500
For a ppl at a certain flight school on the Gold Coast is approx $27000

Could be anything. Perhaps they use different aircraft? Or one school is quoting the bare minimum (assuming that you will pass everything on the first go).