Best Aussie Flight Schools

[cessna172]

I'm about to start training for my CPL and MECIR and am currently looking at varrious flying schools. Just wondering if anyone can give me an insight into their own training experiences and what school(s) they would recommend. I'm currently looking at Basair at Bankstown and Johnston Aviation/Coastjet in Port Macquarie. Any help would be much appreciated. Should I be looking for a school that offers ATPL theory as well, or is it just as easy to complete this later.

John

[WannaBeBiggles]

I can recommend Johnstons and the Redcliffe Aero Club. Both are very professional and have a great atmosphere.

JAS are considered one of the IR training specialists.

RAC run a Partnavia and JAS run Barons, so might also be a matter of considering what type you want some experience on, especially if you already have some job prospects.

Not sure if JAS still has their Cheiftain?

[heartbomb]

I'm looking at Western Australian Aviation College in Perth. I've been messed around by Fujairah Aviation Academy (UAE) as they kept delaying the course, so I decided too look elsewhere. WAAC are offering JAA ATPL courses, I'm going to visit them near the end of this month. The next JAA ATPL course at WAAC starts at the end of January.

[Benny71]

It couldn't hurt to check out Clamback & Hennessy at Bankstown. Plenty of aircraft types to choose from with lots else going on there than just flight training.

[SlingsbyT67M]

I did my PPL training about 4 years ago over at Basair prior to coming over to the UK. I joined them purely because of the excellent reputation they had an word of mouth. They came with excellent recommendations.

I can also only speak highly of them. They were extremely professional and the atmosphere was fantastic. That said it’s just my opinion. Good luck and enjoy the sunshine!

[viking320]

www.gawneaviation.com.au (http://www.gawneaviation.com.au)

[crank1000]

I've just started doing my CPL and my school is ok but they are suffering from a lack of instructors. Nearly all the multi/IFR instructors will be gone by the end of the year. It's now getting difficult to do some of my flights as the grade 3 guys cant sign me off. All I can say is most places will be suffering from the same shortage so just make sure your not half way through the course and left without an instructor to fly with you. Also, dont be tempted by schools quoting prices based on minimum hours. There is a school in victoria which has reputation for costing twice as much as they initially say.

Lastly, if you do your CPL through CASA (you mentioned you might do JAA in Western oz) Some universities offer diploma course which only require 150 hours of instruction as opposed to 200 hours through a flying club.

Hope that helps

[jcassebohm]

My biggest tip is to ensure that you are able to get free help with your theory if you need it, not just given a bundle of books and a pat on the head. A ground school is excellent (i didn't have that option but my sister did and she found it helped with a more thorough understanding of the subject matter, and better long term retention) , and ensure the school gives you regular refresher exams, so you aren't like me and can't remember what hoar frost is after the exam is finished.
I can reccommend Bruce Hartwig in Parafield largely because the CFI is very hands on with all his students and is happy to spend time with you should you need it. A/C are well maintained too.

[Sid78]

Hi Folks,

Have any of you had any experience with Aerospace Aviation at Bankstown, Australia?

Anything you can provide about fleet, time to complete CPL, instructors, ground school etc. will help.

Thanks.

Sid.

[Flying tigers]

I went to Basair after a break from training to complete my CPL training, they were very busy, hopelessly disorganised and I found them to be a terrible school. I left there very frustrated considering that I was willing to spend a lot of money with their organisation, I then went to another BK based flying school which is also a club and found the training and atmosphere to be much better. Little wonder why people call Basair a pilot factory!!!:*

[am765]

I did a few hours at Basair just to see what they were like before starting my CPL. 'Pilot factory' is the best term as described previously. Very busy and quite disorganised. Bankstown is also very busy (not so much as it used to be I'm told) but you still waste a lot of money sitting on the ground.

I used to fly in Port Macquarie though - at Johnston's competitor before it closed down. I've heard good things about Johnston as a good professional flight school but have no personal experience. Port Macquarie itself is pretty boring though.

[Sid78]

Yes I heard too that Aerospace Aviation is slow. One person just had 83 hours towards her CPL in 9 months!

Sid.

[cessna172]

Thanks heaps for all the replies,

I'm definatley leaning towards JAS at the moment. I did some training to GFPT level at Basair and I have to agree that it is a bit too busy and too long is spent waiting on the ground. However it does have the advantage of having a full time theory school as far as I know.

I spoke to Johnston Aviation, and the manager their said that the CPL theory is reasonably easy to self study if you are commited. Any thoughts on this? Is it really a big deal going to a place that doesn't have an intergrated ground school? Also they don't do ATPL but I thought I'd just do that at a later stage at AFT or a similar place, is it worth enrolling in a CPL theory course outside of the flying school during training? ie. Bob Tait's theory school.

Thanks for all your help
John

[Awnick]

I am currently doing my CPL with JAS, and doing self study for the theory part of it. They guys out there are really helpful with any questions you have and they always will explain it in an easy to understand way.

hope this helps a bit.

:ok:

[crank1000]

I've just finished my CPL theory and did it all with Bob Tait's books. The manuals are no nonsense, straight to the point and anyone can understand them with realative ease. The instructors at my school try to help as much as they can but they're stretched pretty tight at the moment. I know I mentioned this in previous post but make sure your school has in house ATO's and at least two grade 2 and a grade one instructor before you commit to anything. This situation isn't going to get any better in the near future. But it's going to get alot worse. The rate at which airlines in this country are hiring at the moment the only thing you will need in 12 months to get a spot at V**gin or Q**tas is a CPL and MEIFR. If thats all you need who will be left to teach?

Good luck