G'day all,
I'm interested in gaining some more information, feedback and opinions from anyone who has completed or has any experience with the two year Advanced Diploma of Aviation at the TAFE SA Parafield campus.
The Adv Diploma is based around the successful completion of the ATPL theory subjects and flying training is undertaken through one of the following schools of student's choice: Forsyth Aviation, Flight Training Adelaide (AFTC), Adeliade Biplanes and Bruce Heartwig Flying School.
At this stage, I am favouring the flying training through Forsyth as I have heard nothing but positive feedback about the flying school and I know someone training through them currently.
The other week I made an appointment with the TAFE, and from talking to the lectures I had a positive feeling about the course. From what I understand, the intake is only about 10 students and the course is structured around the CASA syllubus i.e. if you don't pass the CASA ATPL exams you don't complete Adv Diploma
I have been still looking at the Uni SA Bachelor of Civil Aviation, however after talking to quite a few people there seems to be a general feeling that the Uni course isn't all that it's made up to be and the flying side isn't too crash hot.
One thing to note- you can get 1.5-2 yrs credit towards the Uni course should you complete the TAFE course and decide to do the Uni Course.
From comparing the Uni and TAFE courses from the info I have read -
1) the Uni course is a year longer (as against two yrs TAFE)
2) Uni course doesn't necessarily mean that you have completed ATPL exams or theory on graduation;
3) the degree is not entirely based around the CASA syllabus, with several components going off in a tangeants such as Mathematics and Physics taught by non-aviation lectures and seem to be general maths/science subjects so that it meets the criteria for a applied science degree - which questions the relevance and use later on?
4) TAFE course has a fantastic library shared with FTA, meaning theory books don't need to be purchased.
5) Uni Course is $17000 HECS as against slightly less than $4000 TAFE
6) TAFE intake is smaller (10 students) as against up to 40 students for Uni
I am interested in gaining as much information from anyone that knows anything about the TAFE course before making any decisions,
1) How relevant and worthwhile was the TAFE course
2) Your thoughts on the course syllabus, presentation and 'learning environment' especially for the ATPL subject examinations
3) Employment opportunities and benefits from the course that you have experienced
4) Any other thoughts and recommendations regarding the course.
Please feel free to post a reply message, send me a PM or contact me via email:
[email protected]
Cheers
Tim