Work experience

[Coolchet]

Hi, I'm in year 9 currently and I am looking for work experience in the aviation industry. I don't know if they even let you or not but can anyone give any kind of information about it? Who can I contact or any past experiences then it would be great.

Thank you ��:):)
Chetna

[717tech]

What sort of work experience are you after? Engineering? Flight Operations?
Best bet would be to head to your local airport and ask in person. I've seen plenty of work experience students (myself included) in an engineering workshop over the years.

All the best.

[allthecoolnamesarego]

You could always try the RAAF
Work Experience Program - Department of Defence (http://www.defence.gov.au/workexperience/default.htm)

[Volumex]

I second 717techs advice. That's what I did a long time ago. No $$ but got paid in taildragger time :ok: My favourite was the chippie.

[mcgrath50]

The GA maintenance shops will usually let you kick around with them. Go in with 0 expectations, get your hands dirty and learn. Really useful :)

[Coolchet]

I honestly want to become a pilot but even if I get work experience in the engineering side then that's good enough for me. Can you suggest any regional airline or department who does it?

Thank you very much
Chetna

[Coolchet]

Just one question. I am thinking to get my CPL. from a flying school then go to university and finish off the Bachelor of Aviation while cutting out the topics I have already studied. But I wanted to get my wings from the UNSW (university of new South wales) so will they give me the pilot wings without doing any flying with them?? I am really confused about it.

[jas24zzk]

Chetna...don't worry about who's wings you are wearing.....its only an indication of whether you are paying them, or they are paying you......Wings are like underpants...easily exchanged.

As for work experience...not telling us the basic location of where you live, makes it very hard to reccomend companies to approach.

and duties on work experience.........

Flying School. Answering the phone, Photocopying, Vacumming, cleaning windows, putting aeroplanes to bed, updating regs, pushing aeroplanes, depending on you own existing training level, refueling. They might take you for a fly!

Maintenance Facility. Forget doing this in an airline based place, it'll be as boring as bat****, as they are focused on OH&S...lord help them if you drop a spanner on your toe! Find a place that does GA...the types you are likely to learn on. Yes they will be over your shoulder, but you will see and learn so much about the planes you will train on. It's amazing what you will see...
Tasks...sweeping the hangar, cleaning aeroplanes, cowl and inspection panel removal...lots of things, depending on your apptitude (the foreman will pick up on that very quickly) Chances are you will get to fly more than once.
Cut this one right, and you might even get a job in your spare time...hands on and paid to play with a plane.......... :ok:

Enjoy.

Jas

[717tech]

I approached a rather large Operator (RPT/CHTR) years ago with the idea of gaining some work experience.
Ended up getting three weeks worth of valuable experience and was offered an apprenticeship as an AME. I finished that and now I fly those planes :)

[transition_alt]

Qantas does a very very good work experience program at it's Melbourne and Sydney flight training centres. You become familiar with all areas of training that are undertaken there (As well as simulator maintenance).

I did work experience at the Melbourne base back in 2010 and it was probably the most memorable experience of my life.

As a reward I was given a fair amount of simulator time in the B734 sim (which I doubt is there anymore) and also one of the 738 sims.

I heard there is only around 2 or 3 spots per year though, so timing would be crucial

[sweethart]

Go and hang out at a skydiving drop zone and offer to help the pilot clean, refuel etc... You can then help flying with only a ppl...

[eternity]

Coolchet


Alot of good advice from some obviously experienced people. My advice is contact your main GA airport from wherever you live (Bankstown, Archerfield etc), ring up the schools and charter companies and ask them. If the first couple of places you ring can't help you DONT STOP!!! Ring more places, you will definately find a place that can take you in. Aviation is all about contacting people, knocking on doors and asking. Regardless of what company you get work experience in, you will get the opportunity to learn more about our industry.

I did my work experience in 1997 (when I was in yr.10) with Brian Westin at Southern Skies Aviation. A great guy and he not only taught me alot but also opened up the door to the world that I am in now.
People and companies that take on work experience students are usually people that have a passion for aviation and are keen to pass that on.

There is always room in this industry for bright, hard working and determined people.
Good luck and enjoy.


Eternity.

[Coolchet]

Thanks a lot to all of you for all the information. It really helped me a lot. I'm also working with my careers advisor at school about it.

Thank you
Chetna

[R755]

Odds are you won't make it if you persist with the "careers advisor". Do yourself a favour and take the advice of these experienced posters. Hands on at the aerodrome, doing anything, paid or otherwise, will win every time. You have to be "Johnny on the spot". Oh yeah. It might pay to be a bit less precious about your "career". No one cares. That sounds nasty, but is meant as helpful advice re. having the correct attitude.

[Ultralights]

the the RAAF, and also Army aviation has work experience places every year. i was fortunate enough to get work experience at RAAF richmond with 38 Sqn, spent time in engine shop, hangar, and also flight line and even got a few rides in the back of the old caribous. unforgettable

[Evanelpus]

Odds are you won't make it if you persist with the "careers advisor". Do yourself a favour and take the advice of these experienced posters.

Don't know what careers advisors are like in your part of the world but if they are anything like the ones here, go with the advice given by the wise old sages of PPRuNe.

Show some initiative and drive and do it yourself if you can, shows potential employees you got something about you.:ok:

[Thomas.a.a]

Does anybody know good places to do year 10 work experience?

[blow.n.gasket]

I've always found the girls at Spearmint Rhino quite educational!

[Romeo Hotel]

BnG - Brilliant!

[Willie Nelson]

Hi Thomas.a.a

Don't worry about the idiots above, there's a lot of that on this website.

Unfortunately, if you're looking for work experience in the aviation industry it's difficult to come across as there is a lot of restrictive workplace health and safety and security regulations that prevent people who are untrained accessing hangars and other aviation environments.

If you're interested in flying the best way to get some work experience is to ask your parents for some money to do a test instructional flight at a near by flying school, it will not last long but you'll get a good idea of what it's like to fly a plane.

All the best.

[hiwaytohell]

Thomas.a.a

You might get some PMs if you are more specific:

What field(s) is your child interested in? Where do you live?

[Coolchet]

Hi everyone! thank you for all the advice and suggestions.It was really helpful. My careers advisor has finally found work experience for me at Bankstown Airport for 5 days (missing out on one because of an assessment). I don't know what I will be doing but it will be worth it I think.

Thanks
Chetna

[john_tullamarine]

I have a couple of mates work for Hawker Pacific so my comments are based on their observations only .. worth a try I would think.

You could approach any of the various MRO or defence related bases and ask for the site maintenance manager. I believe that the KingAir operations (East Sale and Townsville) would be inclined favourably to assist.

Five days is fine . .but several weeks over your school vacation period is much better so you can get to see more of what goes on.

[mcgrath50]

I have a couple of mates work for Hawker Pacific so my comments are based on their observations only .. worth a try I would think.

I did my work experience with them at Bankstown. Was brought up in my first few job interviews as a positive note too :ok:

[Coolchet]

Hi! I am starting my work experience from next week. I will doing work like reception jobs, taxing airport, theory lessons and simulator sessions. I am not sure about the dressing/clothing... I mean they haven't told me what to wear so can anyone tell me what would be the mot appropriate thing to wear? (and I am a girl. I am saying that because some people got confused if I was a girl or a boy)

Thank You
Chet

[arcs'n'sparcs]

Wear business type clothing. Long pants, button up shirt, good shoes. Take a pair of sneakers and a shirt you don't mind getting dirty as well, just in case you get to play with aeroplanes. Towel, antiperspirant, sunnies, the usual stuff.

But really, the first day the employers will tell you anything else you need. In fact, they should contact you beforehand to let you know what is required.

[gerry111]

And please Chet, no contributions to social media and no texting. That's all day. :)

[Coolchet]

Arcs'n'sparcs Thank you so much. I don't know if they will contact me or not because my career's advisor asked me to contact thm beforehand. But thank you very much. If you don't mind me asking, are you a current pilot?

Chetna

[Coolchet]

Yes Gerry111 I agree with you. I am not a social media freak anyway so all that can wait till I get home. Thanks

[TheApothecary]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I didn't want to make another one.

I'm almost at the end of my study - Cert 4 Mechanical (sitting in class for gas turbine theory at the moment) and am going to Essendon Airport in April for a look around.

I have basic hand tools, experience on GA aircraft / helicopters and Insurance.

I've called/emailed everywhere but as is typical in Aviation, no reply. Could anyone point me in the right direction (at least so i know who I can talk to when I head over). Otherwise, I'll just have to door knock.

Thanks for your time.

Mark.

[ts1989]

I'm currently in year 10 and I was wondering what work experience is available in aviation. I've heard that it's hard to get in with Qantas but who else should I contact/approach?

[TrimSet]

Have a search mate there was a good thread on this not too long ago.

[Pinky the pilot]

Cannot get the link to work but the previous thread is currently on page 8 of this forum.

Correction please: Threads now combined courtesy the Mods.

[TOUCH-AND-GO]

http://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/551122-work-experience.html

[dmsk]

I'm looking at work experience in the aviation field, as a year 10 student in South-East Queensland. Where would be the best place to look for more flight-operations based experience? Would flying be involved?

[Eddie Dean]

Sorry to hijack the thread but I didn't want to make another one.

I'm almost at the end of my study - Cert 4 Mechanical (sitting in class for gas turbine theory at the moment) and am going to Essendon Airport in April for a look around.

I have basic hand tools, experience on GA aircraft / helicopters and Insurance.

I've called/emailed everywhere but as is typical in Aviation, no reply. Could anyone point me in the right direction (at least so i know who I can talk to when I head over). Otherwise, I'll just have to door knock.

Thanks for your time.

Mark.Typical in aviation hey, bit early in your career to be cynical. Whilst you are wandering around Essendon, full of cynicism, talk to the MC of Ausjet. Maybe phone and ask for him or the CE.
Good luck in your search for work.