tsubasa27
26th Jan 2009, 01:16
Hello and happy Australia day everyone!
I'm currently 21, finished an IT degree and working part time, got my GFPT which I've had for quite a while, currently about half-way through my PPL navs. I've decided to chase the dream and get my CPL. Though I'm certainly interested in many aspects of GA flying, I think the pay, (relative) security and seeing the world with the airlines is currently where my long-term goal is at. I understand getting there won't be easy of course...
Last year I went up to Sydney last year to go through all the tests, medicals and interviews for the Qantas cadetship, but didn't make the final cut. Applied for REX too but never heard anything back, I think I might have missed their intake. I have a class 1 just fine, but my eyes aren't eligible for laser surgery instead of contacts/glasses so the military isn't an option as far as I understand.
This year I've gotten offers from Swinburne and RMIT for their courses.
Option 1: Do the Swinburne Diploma course
This was the option that I'd settled on under the assumption FEE-HELP would be available as described, it's up to ~30% more expensive for what you get compared to a typical flying school program, but at least with FEE-HELP you only need to worry about repaying it very slowly and interest free once you've found a decent paying job. However now that it's off (and no confirmation when and if it ever will be available) I need to really reconsider all my options.
From what I've seen staff at GFS Moorabbin and Swinburne have been very helpful. I've also heard graduates saying great things about the quality of the training. I guess Qantas use them for a reason.
Financially I'd certainly need a loan to get through all the training without FEE-HELP, but at least the uni hours are fairly reasonable so I could continue working part-time/casual. The Advanced Diploma consists of CPL+ATPL theory, and the option of doing a regular instrument rating, MECIR or Instructor rating over two years. Probably looking at MECIR at this stage.
I can get exemptions for all the flying I've already done but a downside would probably be spending a semester waiting to get through the BAK/PPL stuff again but equally it could be a financial advantage that I don't need to spend a fortune on flying for the first semester or so.
Option 2: Do it the traditional way at my local flying school + self study (or theory courses?)
Most likely at Lilydale or RVAC.
I understand that this would be a ton cheaper in terms of both flying and study costs, I have the motivation to do it but it might be a lot easier in a classroom/lecture style situation then just by myself.
This also means I could study at my own pace doing only what I need to do. I figure I could get my CPL and start a flying job lot earlier then I could with the Swinburne course. Working full time especially could lift a fair bit of financial burden assuming I still had enough time to study and even if I worked part-time it would give me a lot more flexibility with work hours.
Option 3: Do the RMIT course
This would have a similar outcome to the Swinburne course, No FEE-HELP support either and I've heard some pretty negative opinions of the course here on PPRuNE. Traveling out to Point Cook every day would an hour and a half each way, so not great. The upside is that it's only a single year (full time) though I don't think that includes an Instrument Rating.
Do you think it's worth doing the Swinburne course over self-study and a flying school?
Is it difficult to self-study and get your CPL while working full time?
Is it a lot easier to do a CPL theory course instead of self-study?
What's the current employment prospects like for a fresh out of training pilot? I'd anticipate needing to move interstate.
MECIR or Instructor rating?
Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for your advice!
I'm currently 21, finished an IT degree and working part time, got my GFPT which I've had for quite a while, currently about half-way through my PPL navs. I've decided to chase the dream and get my CPL. Though I'm certainly interested in many aspects of GA flying, I think the pay, (relative) security and seeing the world with the airlines is currently where my long-term goal is at. I understand getting there won't be easy of course...
Last year I went up to Sydney last year to go through all the tests, medicals and interviews for the Qantas cadetship, but didn't make the final cut. Applied for REX too but never heard anything back, I think I might have missed their intake. I have a class 1 just fine, but my eyes aren't eligible for laser surgery instead of contacts/glasses so the military isn't an option as far as I understand.
This year I've gotten offers from Swinburne and RMIT for their courses.
Option 1: Do the Swinburne Diploma course
This was the option that I'd settled on under the assumption FEE-HELP would be available as described, it's up to ~30% more expensive for what you get compared to a typical flying school program, but at least with FEE-HELP you only need to worry about repaying it very slowly and interest free once you've found a decent paying job. However now that it's off (and no confirmation when and if it ever will be available) I need to really reconsider all my options.
From what I've seen staff at GFS Moorabbin and Swinburne have been very helpful. I've also heard graduates saying great things about the quality of the training. I guess Qantas use them for a reason.
Financially I'd certainly need a loan to get through all the training without FEE-HELP, but at least the uni hours are fairly reasonable so I could continue working part-time/casual. The Advanced Diploma consists of CPL+ATPL theory, and the option of doing a regular instrument rating, MECIR or Instructor rating over two years. Probably looking at MECIR at this stage.
I can get exemptions for all the flying I've already done but a downside would probably be spending a semester waiting to get through the BAK/PPL stuff again but equally it could be a financial advantage that I don't need to spend a fortune on flying for the first semester or so.
Option 2: Do it the traditional way at my local flying school + self study (or theory courses?)
Most likely at Lilydale or RVAC.
I understand that this would be a ton cheaper in terms of both flying and study costs, I have the motivation to do it but it might be a lot easier in a classroom/lecture style situation then just by myself.
This also means I could study at my own pace doing only what I need to do. I figure I could get my CPL and start a flying job lot earlier then I could with the Swinburne course. Working full time especially could lift a fair bit of financial burden assuming I still had enough time to study and even if I worked part-time it would give me a lot more flexibility with work hours.
Option 3: Do the RMIT course
This would have a similar outcome to the Swinburne course, No FEE-HELP support either and I've heard some pretty negative opinions of the course here on PPRuNE. Traveling out to Point Cook every day would an hour and a half each way, so not great. The upside is that it's only a single year (full time) though I don't think that includes an Instrument Rating.
Do you think it's worth doing the Swinburne course over self-study and a flying school?
Is it difficult to self-study and get your CPL while working full time?
Is it a lot easier to do a CPL theory course instead of self-study?
What's the current employment prospects like for a fresh out of training pilot? I'd anticipate needing to move interstate.
MECIR or Instructor rating?
Anything else I should consider?
Thanks for your advice!