Aerobatic Instructor - Melbourne

[mcirflyer]

Hi All

Can anyone recommend an aerobatic instructor/school in Melb/local Vic area?

Thanks

[AussieNick]

Latrobe Valley Aero Club can do it. Decathalon and a 2 seater Pitts

[VH-XXX]

One word of advice before you start which might seem a bit unusual unless you have inside knowledge like I may happen to have on this matter.

Follow this step and you can't go wrong:

Find an instructor
Ask someone you can trust about this instructor and their reputation
Ask the instructor if you can see their:
- Licence
- Medical
- Aerobatic training approvals
Find out what the instructor can sign you off for:
- eg Low Level
- 500 ft etc etc
Pay your money
Enjoy!

There are aerobatic "instructors" out there in Melbourne and surrounding areas without medicals and some without licences. They will train you under your PPL however will be unable to sign you off after all of your hard work!

Consider yourself pre-warned!

[djpil]

They will train you under your PPL however will be unable to sign you off after all of your hard work!Disappointing to hear that VH-XXX.
So I guess the punter then needs to find an instructor to do the paperwork?
I wonder why they'd operate that way when the CAO provides for an approved person to issue aerobatic endorsements (but not spin endorsements) however it still needs to be done under an AOC.

My reference is CAAP 155-1 Aerobatics (http://www.casa.gov.au/download/CAAPs/ops/155_1.pdf) which is also a useful source of information for students.

[VH-XXX]

It is sad indeed that there are some out there particularly in the aerobatic arena whose mouth often is far bigger than the endorsements in their logbook.

An example I'm thinking of will make you believe that they are the antz pantz and gods gift to aviation and would happily take you right through to the stamping stage and then conveniently come up with a story about how CASA mucked up their medical and how they can't do it right now.

[djpil]

Still plenty more instructors for mcirflyer to choose from. I guess that you've tried google and the Moorabbin Airport website. (http://www.moorabbinairport.com.au/) I suggest you ask around for recommendations as you haven't got any here - there are some older threads on the subject so you can try searching here.

[djpil]

GFS is still operating (http://www.moorabbinairport.com.au/FlyingSchoolNews.asp) and still has the Pitts S-2A.
The S-2A at Latrobe Valley is an earlier model with canopy over the rear cockpit only. Years ago I gave up sitting in an open cockpit during a Melbourne winter! I'd happily recommend Latrobe Valley to anyone.

Also, rumour of another S-2A coming to the Melbourne area soon which will also be available.

[PlankBlender]

VK2TVK, GFS still exist, they do the Qantas cadet training mostly. I hear it's hard to get in as a private individual.

To the original poster, I've seen an ad posted on the upstairs notice board at MFT (Melbourne Flight Training (http://www.melbourneflighttraining.com.au)) for aerobatics training. Suggest you drop by and ask around at the school, someone there will know the guy who's advertising (Glen probably would know) and can give you the low down..

If you could post your experiences here, it would be appreciated, an aerobatics rating is on my list once I get the darn MECIR out of the way..

Cheers,
PB

[HappyJack260]

DJPil is being over-modest - he's an instructor with excellent credentials who can also sign off Low-level waivers etc - he did mine. Will also help you work towards comps if that's what you want. Suggest you pm him...

[kaptaan]

Mc there's a job up on AFAP you might wana have a look at.. :ok: Hope it's of some use..

[james michael]

Absolutely endorse the positive comment about djpil. A very steady learned and capable person who hides his capability under a very quiet disposition.

XXX - think I know who you mean :p