I need a Career Advice: USA vs. Australia vs. New Zealand for a Kiwi
Hi, I am a college student living in New Zealand and I want to become a pilot. I have tried my best to find out, but I am writing this because I want to get good advice and guidance from seniors with various experiences. Since I am a New Zealander, I thought I would only become a pilot in New Zealand at first.
I was thinking about after graduated from flight school in New Zealand and to become a turboprop pilot for Air New Zealand with 500 hours, but I saw many people say that there are problems with RPPP and it takes a very long time to go from turboprop to jet pilot, it can take more than 10 years. I saw that everyone said that if you want to become a pilot for Air New Zealand, it is better to start from GA general aviation and apply with 1500 hours and other requirements.
NZCAA CPL or above required
NZCAA Instrument Rating (Current) and NZCAA MEIR required
NZCAA ATPL or all ATPL subjects preferred
NZCAA BTK/BGT required
Times (TT) 1500
Times (Multi-engine aircraft) 100
Times ATO* 100
Instrument flight hours 40
Night hours 25
English proficiency level 6
I have seen many comments that applying directly to Jet FO with Air New Zealand is a faster and more correct choice than starting with a turboprop.
So I was thinking about doing that, but someone told me that New Zealanders can go to flight school in Australia without restrictions, graduate and get a job as a pilot in Australia with having SCV.
So I learned that New Zealand is not the only way to become a pilot.
and i heard that Australia has a bigger aviation market than New Zealand and overall wages are higher, and overall working as a pilot in Australia is much better than working in New Zealand.
So I thought about doing it in Australia.
But recently I found out that Australians can go to the US with an E-3 visa and work for regional airlines, cargo airlines, and LCCs. So
I am extremely conflicted about what to do. I'm having a really hard time deciding which option to choose. My current status is that I will be graduating from a 4-year university soon.
I'm a New Zealander and I don't have Australian permanent residency or citizenship yet.
So here are the options I'm thinking about.
If you have any other opinions, please recommend.
1. Become a pilot in New Zealand
1-1.with 500h RPPP
1-2.with 1500 jet FO
2. Leave New Zealand and go to Australia to become a pilot in Australia
2-1. 500h qanstas link
2-2. 1500 as a FI but don't know what to do after that in aus
3. Study ATPL 1500 hours in Australia, obtain Australian citizenship, and leave for the US with an E-3 visa
""I have no legal, financial, or age-related restrictions preventing me from moving to the United States. I also don't have any family responsibilities in New Zealand or Australia.
Considering that I'm young and can acquire Australian citizenship while attending flight school in Australia, and that I'll be eligible for an E-3 visa in the US to fly jets after obtaining an ATPL and accumulating 1,500 hours of flight time in Australia, would starting my career flying turboprops in New Zealand or Australia be a mistake or a decision I will regret in the future?""
I'd like to hear advice, experiences, and recommendations from seniors, who whent this path or anyone who are in the aviation industry.
Please give me your advice.
I would greatly appreciate your assistance.
Thank you so much for reading this long post and I'm very grateful to everyone who gave me great advice.
NZCAA CPL or higher required
NZCAA Instrument Rating (current) and NZCAA MEIR Required
NZCAA ATPL or all ATPL subjects passed Preferred
NZCAA BTK/BGT Required
Hours (TT) 1500
Hours (Multi-Engine Airplane) 100
Hours ATO* 100
Instrument Flight Time 40
Night Hours 25
English Language Proficiency Level 6
If I went to the US, I would be flying an aircraft like CRJ in the regional.
I may not know much, but if the above conditions are met,
If I apply there after working as an instructor for 1500 hours in Australia, will I be able to become an A320 first officer in New Zealand from the beginning?
Or, even though Air New Zealand said on its website that it is a condition for applying as an A320 first officer, is it true that, like Qantas, you actually have to work as an SO at the beginning on a 787 or 777?
This is just my additional personal curiosity
thank you for your help.