First time thread, bright eyed 18 year old. Anybody care to chime in?

[MrAviate]

Hello PPRuNe'rs!

Long time reader, first time poster.
A bit about myself, 18 years old, I was born in Zimbabwe, Primary Schooling in New Zealand (Citizen), High Schooling in Australia (Citizen)(Overall Position: 4) + have traveled around the world. Currently obtaining CPL MECIR (hopefully CFI + C208 rating) in South Africa.
Living and traveling in so many different places, I absolutely love what this big blue world has to offer in terms of different cultures, people, ideologies and landscape, now I cant wait to finish my course and begin a career.

After reading numerous 'first job' posts on a number of forums, I'm starting to get confused by people taking drastically different stances on where Aviation is now and where it's going.
In your opinion, how do you feel about the current situation in relation to old timers, young blokes like myself and the inbetweens out of GA but cant really find a foothold in the Airline sector.

In addition, the GA opportunities in NZ and AU; are they tangible, or am I grasping thin air?


Happy to be a part of this forum.

[Lat3ralus]

Plenty of GA work at the moment here in Australia, however you will need to be "open minded" in regards to pay, working hours and location. Apart from that, keep at it, and you will find a job.

You know what they say right?... the only people that don't make are the one's that give up

[MrAviate]

Thanks for the reply mate, means a lot. when you say the GA industry is good, in what wa do you mean? I was thinking of a trip to north Australia (Darwin) or WA in search of a job, would you reccomend it, or are there opportunities in the Sunshine state for me (SE-QLD). Plus, how do Aussie flight schools feel about Junior Grade 3 instructors?

Thanks for the reply mate...

[Lat3ralus]

No worries mate. I would not necesarily say that the GA industry is good at the moment, but it is certainly better here than in other corners of the globe.

At the moment there are a bunch of low time jobs, check out the AFAP website every now again and you will see what is going around.

In regards to junior grade 3's, the majority of flying schools will only employ juniors that have been trained by them personally. Instructing is a viable option if you are interested in staying around a big hub(i.e Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne) and not have to move out to the bush. But be prepared to put in plenty of work.Also, the last thing we need in aussie is grade 3's that do it "for the hours", so you need to do it because you enjoy teaching, etc...

I'm guessing that the first thing you will need to do when you come over is convert your licence right? I suggest you have a look at as many schools as you probably can and do your research for each one of them because you do not want to end up in "sausage factory" school pumping out pilots.

[MrAviate]

Well I've had the AFAP site bookmarked and have been frequenting it for a while now, so hopefully something good pops up. (although, Lilydale Airport flight school had a really good one up there.)

To be honest mate, the need to stay around a big hub is something I don't have a reason to do. I'm 18, (PPL when I was 17) working on my CPL, no girlfriend, I've already left the nest and I have a love of meeting new people and seeing new places. So I think going to remote locations where the charter jobs are is something I would prefer to do, as I have no ties to any specific place. As for enjoying teaching, I can't say that I do or do not enjoy it, as I've never been in a teaching role. I can tell you however, that like I said, I love meeting new people and working in a team so instructing might be right up my alley.

Yes, conversion is something I have been looking into extensively and it's the first item on the agenda when I get back before all other things.

I'm also wondering, how do charter companies and flight schools feel about hiring a young person like myself? I only recently turned 18, you see, and I feel like the employers might not feel like I'm mature enough.

Can't thank you enough for replying to all this.

[redsnail]

Most folks head to Kununurra etc for their first GA job. Darwin is usually where you go for your twin job etc. However, it's been a good 10 + years since I was there so my info may be out of date.

There's "young" 18 year olds and "mature" 18 year olds.

Most folks go to the places where you're likely to get a start and pick up bar work etc. Anything. Here is where you get a chance to prove you're the latter.

Good luck, it is an adventure.

[MrAviate]

Well, it may be out of date, but nonetheless I still appreciate any and all info RedSnail :)
Before I embark on my journey, I was thinking of getting a bartenders certification/training, Forklift license, Light Rigid license and a first aid certificate. I'm thinking that having these certifications on me would not only make me more employable by tourist companies/charter companies, but it's also something I wanted to do just for my own personal growth; I love to learn new things. Do you think these cert's are a good idea?

Something else that worries me... being born Zimbabwean, I'm brown skinned, however I speak perfect English. 3rd in my graduating class and because I don't speak my native tongue, over the years I've developed what described as an American/British accent. I have faced racism in Aus before and I'm concerned that it will hold my career back, if people are prejudiced and ignorant. In your opninion, do you believe this kind of mindset is still prevalent in places like Kununurra, Darwin, Perth, Melbourne, Mount Isa, Kimberly, etc?

[redsnail]

No not really. They've even hired Kiwis in Kununurra. ;)

First aid certificate, fantastic idea. :) Very useful.
HGV/bus certificate/large vehicle. (What ever it's called). Great idea. You can drive the buses with the pax etc.
Forklift ticket? Umm not so sure on that one.
Any thing that can help with bar work etc.
Dangerous Goods Cert. Don't leave home without it.
ASICs or whatever else is needed.

In all seriousness, if you present yourself with a chip on your shoulder, you won't go far. If you front up, present yourself well, work hard at making contacts and the like, you'll be fine. (so long as there's work going and you can fly an aircraft). The accent or the colour isn't an issue.
Join the local Hash House Harriers, get fit and meet other folk.

There are some rednecks around, but they're a minority.

I am sure other folks who are more current with "the North" can help out. Also try the D&G forums.

[MrAviate]

Well, in regards to the forklift ticket, I wanted to be able to give myself a better chance at getting a job, while I wait for my flying to take off. I've been told its something good to have that doesn't pay pennies, so I've considered it. something to do while waiting for my opportunity.

Alright, well I consider myself a friendly, polite guy, so I don't foresee problems with other people down the track.

So thanks for the help mate, I appreciate it.
What about you RedSnail, whats your story? how did you get into aviation? why the name "Redsnail"?

[redsnail]

You'll have to do a search. I've written it several times now.. ;)

In short. redsnail is an anagram of islander. Aka BN2B...
Part time flight instructor
Bush pilot in Oz.
Coastwatch pilot in Oz
FO on Bandits and Twotters in Oz. Regional RPT.
Dash 8 FO in Oz for a very short time. Bigger regional RPT.

FO on Shorts 330/360 in UK. Night Freight.
FO on a Hawker bizjet in Europe. Fractional.
Captain on the same Hawker. Same company in Europe.