Originally Posted by
Abs81
Hiya, new here. Thinking of starting my flight training (RPL to start with) (after 20 years of thinking about it). Not interested in a career in GA, but possibly building a Vans plane or similar in the future... who knows....
Options seem to be Moorabbin, Tyabb and Lilydale for me, Moorabbin being the closest. Have a few questions for the group.
# You say Tyabb is unreal, meaning good? If so why? Is it 'better' training, or cheaper or both, better setup?
# Would like to take TIF flights at all these airports to see what suits me best, do the operators get antsy if you do this? I did have a logbook (lost long ago with 1 hour logged) but would like to take one along to each flight to get time logged.
# Is there an online course where I can do all the theory AND EXAMS components required for RPL (and PPL) without doing the flight training first? Is this even possible without starting an actual flight training course?
# Does in-person training become cheaper if you do the theory and exams yourself? Or is DIYing the theory courses expected anyway?
# Lastly, highly subjective, but anyone have recommendations for flight schools in either of these locations???
Having followed a similar path to the one you're considering, to add to M1M's reply above, a few questions:
LSA or GA?? If you're thinking of building an RV (RAAus probably) at some point, then I'd recommend an RAAus RPC first up (the cheapest way to go) and convert that into an RPL on completion. Even if Moorabbin is closest, then although it's a bit further for you to drive, for a great school with friendly staff, Lilydale (LFS) may still be the place for you to start, moving your training to Moorabbin a bit later.
At LFS, you'd start your RPC in either Foxbats or Jabirus (or the Alpha Electro, if electric flight appeals to you!) and move up to their Piper Warriors, Archers, etc. for RPL then PPL as you get hooked. Lilydale also just happens to be on the corner of the main VFR route to everywhere, making navs a bit cheaper plus there are a few SAA builders out there you'd get to know. Nice as they are, if this LSA-to-GA is appealing to you, neither Tyabb nor Moorabbin can offer as many opportunities nor diversity of aircraft as Lilydale does and many pilots (myself included) choose to fly at both Lilydale and Moorabbin for different parts of their training.
High wing or low?? Tyabb fly Cessnas mostly, which leaves Moorabbin. At Moorabbin you have a choice depending on the school you pick. Ideally you want somewhere with an excellent reputation, good instructors and well-maintained aircraft. Staying out of the way of career students rules out CAE-Oxford and LTF... leaving you with either Tristar (Cessnas) or RVAC (Pipers) as the only other places that tick all the boxes.
Course-work? RAAus
https://www.raa.asn.au/fly-with-us/ have their own path but Bob Tait's books are the place to start for either. Read up as much as you can and don't be afraid to ask questions. Bob Tait also runs on-line theory courses which are worth doing:
https://www.bobtait.com.au/
My 5 cents worth:
1. Organise a TIF in an RAAus registered aircraft at Lilydale and one in a GA aircraft at either Tristar or RVAC.
2. Talk to the instructors about costs and weigh it up.
It will definitely be more expensive to get to RPL at either Moorabbin or Tyabb than Lilydale, but maybe the drive is worth it to you?
https://www.yarravalleyaviation.com.au/
http://www.tristaraviation.com.au/
https://www.rvac.com.au/home
Warning: Flying is addictive. Have fun!
