Studying to be a Commercial Pilot Help

[Loki387]

Hey all, just thought I'd introduce myself prior to asking a few questions !

I posted this same thread earlier but in the wrong subsection! my bad

I'm 24 y.o from Sydney, Australia looking to finally begin my career in Aviation.

I started off 18y.o studying at TAFE Construction Science, but this never really interested me in the same way that flying has and now its time.. even though its a rough time to start..

Now I have had quite a rough past few years... had a big car accident and unfortunately my insurance didn't cover the damages on the cars involved and I have had fork out my own money to pay these off.. in excess of 20K..

I want to know, what would be the best way to get into this field... without spending such a large amount of money as the flight training (prac) is so fkn dear i couldn't afford it! ... Are there any government assited courses? or courses that have a paying system similar to that of what UNI students are on? (HECS?)


I was looking at Cadet ships but some of these ask you to work with the airline upon graduating for over 10 years ! Unless I have heard wrong? can anyone advise on these?

Basically looking for the most cost effective way to get started and begin my career.

I look forward to any advice. Cheers!

[wheels_down]

The most cost effective way is working part/fulltime and flying on your days off. I guess taking out a loan later down the track to speed things up is also an option.

The majority at my local aero club where I fly are all in the same boat. Only full-time folks are mainly international students. Unfortunately, it involves some long term debt if you really want to get things moving, but you only live once, so go for it.

[Turban]

the most cost effective way to get started and begin my career

that`s like asking .... errr I can`t even come up with anything :}

I`m afraid the only possible and ````realistic````(:E) way would be the hard way .... earn some money, spend it on training , and work your way up ...

There is nothing I could say that haven`t been said elsewhere already, so be patient and search and read and search and read again :)

Good luck :ok:

[DancingDog]

I heard that if training is done part time or PPL & CPL are completed seperately (not integrated) then the 200 hr CPL course must be done instead of the 150. Can anyone please confirm this?
Thanks
DD

[PA31flyer]

G day mate

Advise I could give is attending Oxford Aviation Academy in Melbourne. You will have to to a Bachelor of Aviation at Swinburne university along with your flying training. It takes 3 or 4 years depending on whether you add a Bachelor of commerce to the degree. It's covers under FEE help so all the flying is paid by the government and the Uni is HECS covered.

Issues with this is.
It's very structured so diversity in your flying program isn't an option.
Second is its cost sooo much more than other conventional schools , so once you actually earn money along with 20% increase on the FEE HELP YOur looking at 120 grand of debt.
Third issue is the shear volume of students. And the impersonal a approach of the training. Your really just a number or a dollar bill.
If your really motivated and dedicated then you'll be fine but I'd you are remotely slack you will drop back quick.

Message me if your keen for some more details.

[Turban]

Not integrated = 200 hrs, that`s right.

And it`s not GST free either. But it still is a very good way to do it ;)

And like I said, everything has been said already ;)

[forever flying]

Here's a question I have:

It'd make sense that any prospective employees that might take you on for your first job would want someone with many hours, say 250-300 (and this is becoming more common with insurance policies etc)

Does undertaking an integrated CPL course completing 150 hours really give you the advantage to someone doing their CPL with 200 hours when it comes to the interview day? Sure, you might have some money over the 200 hour guy (or girl) because you did your training GST free, but in the end that money could go towards hour building anyway right?

I'm away from home but when I get back I'll do the numbers to figure that out, but I'm just asking here to find out some second opinions...

[outnabout]

I know the CP where I work values command time over total time. Says you learn more when you're not waiting for an instructor to decide what to do next.

In fact, he thinks that if there is a big gap between total time & command time (for example 750 hrs TT, with only 75 hours PIC) might mean there is a question mark over the pilots ability - might need lots of training to get up to scratch.....