NZ or OZ ATPL

[ViagraDependent]

Hi everyone.
I'm in a bit of a jam at the moment. I am 36. 3500+ TT, 1500+ Turbine, 600+ EFIS and I desperately need to get my ATPL sorted. (I only have two subjects).

Just wanting to know if it is a better idea to go to OZ and do the course over there (I have over 8 weeks of leave owing), or to stick it out and get my NZ subjects.

I have plenty of money saved up to pay for travel, type-rating/s, exams etc. I even own two houses, one of which I can sell if I need to.

Only problem with each idea is that I may not be able to get enough leave in one go to do the OZ course and my exam credits may expire before I get the licence if I do the NZ exams (the company that I work for won't let us do our flight test until our command is due and at the moment that could be as little as 6 months to as much as 3 years away).

Any advice?

VD

[haughtney1]

Shouldnt matter should it?

Find a course and get them done....Id ask your company for a date for a command course, or at least some indication. Either way its better to have them and not need them (sucks I know) rather than need them and not have them!
Just out of interest..Id have thought you couldnt command a transport catagory aircraft without an ATPL?

[9Ws]

Contact Nathan Higgins of AFT in Maroochydore. www.aft.com.au

Don't waste your time looking any further... he IS your one stop ATPL shop.

7 Australian subjects...
3 self study (get them to mail them across to you in NZ)
4 either self study (if you choose so) or better still, go across and sit his course, duration 4-5 weeks.... accommodation arranged nearby etc.

I did that. Best ATPL decision I made. You'll enjoy it and won't regret it too. Many others from NZ have gone across to him for just this purpose. You're not the first. Keeps your future work-options open as well.

PM me for any clarifications.

Good luck! :ok:

[ViagraDependent]

Thanks for the responses.

Not that it should matter, but just to chuck a spanner into the works (so to speak).
I am married and have two children (5 and 2). I am a female and I have only being flying part time for the last 5 1/2 years (my annual leave is from my other job).

As already mentioned, I have plenty of money saved up to do whatever it takes to get back into flying full-time, whether that means buying a type rating or whatever it is going to take, I'd even consider doing instructing again if I have to.

So, as well as ATPL suggestions, is there anywhere I can go to look for a job in the Auckland/Hamilton area as I don't want to have to leave my children and husband for extended periods of time.

Thanks again

VD

[haughtney1]

I know its tough..especially with young kids, surely hubby can take up a bit of the slack? mayby the outlaws perhaps?
Ultimately this is going to allow you to improve your earning potential, and by implication, the potential to benefit those around you.

As far as jobs are concerned, I cant tell you, (I left NZ 6 yrs ago because of the lack of them) however an idea of your experience would help give others an idea of where perhaps you should be aiming your sights:ok:

Hope this helps

[RYAN TCAD]

I don't know about the 'earning potential' thing - but hey!

Bo!

[Space77]

I used PPSC for the NZ exams and found them very helpful. Also, I think the credits are valid for 10 years, or if you had exam passes before May 2006, valid until 2011.

[Sqwark2000]

ViagaraD,

My suggestion would be to stick to the NZ ATPL's if your worried about extended periods of time from your family.

Space77 is correct that any exisiting ATPL credits you have are valid for 5yrs from May this year. You have to gain an ATPL inside 5 yrs from sitting your first theory subject for that license. As it is a new rule exisiting credits were given exemption and assumed to have been sat on the day the rule came into effect.

I'll take a guess and say you have Human Factors and maybe Law already. If not both of those are reasonably comfortable self study subjects. I studied for the Law exam part-time for two weeks and got a good pass.

I recommend Pete Sumners Flight Planning & Navigation courses. Flightplanning is a 1 weekend course and Navigation is a 2 weekend course with a weekend in between to help with study and roster requirements. Both courses are about $275 and almost guarantee a pass.

I know of others like Langdon ?? who did a similar type course format for Instruments & navaids & maybe Systems & Performance. Others on the site might be able to update us onwether he is still doing the courses.

The only course that I haven't heard of is Met, and that is self studyable.

So for minimal time away, cheaper costs (in terms of international travel, accomodation etc) and with 5 yrs to complete all and sundry NZ ATPL's are my way to go.

I heard that the Marroochydore course is good & quick but is very study intensive with a tight deadline and multiple exam sittings in a short space of time. Miss an exam and you will have to fly back to Oz to re-sit. Do them in NZ and study 1 subject at a time at a comfortable pace.

Tips I give to those asking about their subjects are to book an exam date first and commit to it, give yourself a minimum of 1 month per subject, if you do Pete's course sit the first available exam date after the course to maximise knowledge retention.

Good Luck


S2K

[fly real fast]

I agree with Sqwark 2000. Those courses of Pete Sumners are priceless for the type of information he provides.(Also a couple of weekends chopping diesel in the local bar is always good). I did both courses with Pete and got good passes and I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed:ugh:

[haughtney1]

Is that Pete Summers of used to be Flightline..?

If so a top instructor, and a bloody good bloke:ok:

[Cloud Cutter]

Yip (Pete Sumner), he's now a Saab captain for Air Nelson. I haven't done one of his courses, but have plenty of mates who have, and all of them highly recommend him.

I used PPSC notes for most of mine (although it was a few years back now), and found them adequate. It depends what sort of learning style you have.

Stonybrook is apparently all you need for Law, and the Trevor Thom met book should do you for that.

[haughtney1]

Good old Pete!

Had many an interesting conversations about bloody exams with Pete over a cheeky coffee (and a rolly ciggie that he was constantly puffing on!)

Hey cloud..do you have his email or any contact details?

Feel free to PM me etc..:ok:

Thanks one and all for Pete's details