Heading up north...

[TOUCH-AND-GO]

Good afternoon ladies and gents.

I'll be making the 'big' trip up north by the end of the year and would just like to know what is the preferred time frame to make the move?

Any recommendations, specified routes on where too stop would be appreciated.
Thank you.

Safe flying! T&G :ok:

[AussieNick]

Your in melbourne yeah? Drive to adelaide and turn right, can't miss the North from there.

Honestly I don't believe there is any set time thats good to come north. As soon as your ready, head up here, the soon the better.

As they say, you have to be in it to win it.

[The Green Goblin]

Aussie Nick

For someone that appears to be in Darwin you are pretty out of touch.

This guy is obviously a green commercial pilot and can't just move up anytime and get a job.

I suggest you do a search on here for a thread called 'information regarding the topend'. There is a wealth of information there for you.

[Hasselhof]

GG - Well, he probably can. Darwin is the primo jumping off point for looking for work with Gumbys, Kak Air, AAA, KathAv, and AF (not to mention a whole lot of operators that come and go like MPA and Marthakal). Plus there are a quite a few private operators around DN that will put guys on casually to do their flying. It's not ideal, but you've got to be in it to win it (as AussieNick did). He won't get a job with one of the main charter operators thats for sure, but you can make sure that DN is still a start.

TOUCH-AND-GO Seriously, it's called the search function and it isn't hard. Do some leg work then ask some informed questions and you'll find this forum is a lot more free and open with handing out information.

[TOUCH-AND-GO]

The reason I ask this question, is the distinction of whether it would be better off to stay in Melbourne, work and save up for the big trip (Towards November).
Or simply pack up the car and head north sooner, to be there at the right time, at the right place, like many pilots keep telling me :suspect:

Thank you lads for your inputs!

GG I tried searching up the thread, came back with no result :confused: Do you have a direct link please? :)

T&G

[abnfamous]

http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/383870-information-regarding-top-end.html

[zappalin]

Use Google to search PPRuNe, the search function on the top menu bar is tits on a bull.

[AussieNick]

GG, I'm talking from my personal experience. I was up here during what people told me was the peak time, a few months before the start of the dry season after completing my cpl a few years ago and missed everything. I took the attitude that there is no set time to be anywhere, but that the soon you can get you name out the better. If it meant hanging around somewhere pouring beers, stacking shelves or working in the servo to earn some coin while looking for a flying gig then so be it. I actually think it was you who told me on here once you won't get your first job sitting on the other side of the country, some of the better advise I've gotten from pprune.


Touch and go, then north is pretty expensive to live in, so either be prepared to find some casual work quickly, or have alot of savings when you finally decide to head up here.

[Checkboard]

Indeed - always use google search over the forum search function; for example:

Let me google that for you (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Site%3APPRuNe.org+heading+up+north)

... or just check out this list of Dunnunder threads:

http://www.pprune.org/dg-p-general-aviation-questions/448431-going-up-north.html#post6364437

[dabz]

Touch and Go, if you do go up north try find work which is around other pilots in the companies you want to work for e.g a pub.

It's easy to get to know pilots when you're pouring their drinks and they can give insider info as to when each company will be hiring.

It's what I did and it worked a treat! :D

This industry's more about who you know than what you know...

[TOUCH-AND-GO]

Thank you all gentlemen.

Touch and go, then north is pretty expensive to live in

So I've been tolled :suspect:

What's the rates at backpackers? Or would it be better off to take a tent and sleep in a caravan park?

[Mr.Buzzy]

So I've been tolled

Bugger! Looks like the paperwork can no longer be delegated........

Bbbbbbbbzbzbzbzbzbzzzzzzzzzz

[Howard Hughes]

to be there at the right time, at the right place, like many pilots keep telling me
The right time is not a time of year, it's as the last pilot who resigned (or was sacked) walks out the door!;)

Timing is everything in this profession...and networking.:ok:

[kalavo]

Dude! You're too late! Kak Air advertised yesterday! Which means you should have been here on Friday!

[zappalin]

Not sure what to make of the Kakadu Air ad - they keep on advertising essentially the same position stating that "only applicants meeting the above requirements will be considered".
But is anyone actually applying?? :E

[Di_Vosh]

Not sure what to make of the Kakadu Air ad - they keep on advertising essentially the same position stating that "only applicants meeting the above requirements will be considered".
But is anyone actually applying??

It could also be that their turnover is relatively fast, for all the obvious reasons.

DIVOSH!

[seneca208]

It could also be that their turnover is relatively fast, for all the obvious reasons.

Correct. I know of a person who started at Kakadu a few weeks ago and has left in the previous fortnight.

[morno]

Yep! I'm looking to move on from my current non existing flying job, well in excess of the minimums and haven't heard a peep! Maybe I've got too many hours for what they want.

Have you been and visited?

How many times do we have to say it, you will NOT get a job like that, without going door knocking!

morno

[206greaser]

Kak Air is not exactly newbies gig. Though it would be a descent place to work. CP is a nice bloke. They are pretty set on that 400 minimum from what I hear. Insurance and blah blah. I think the reason for the turn over in that particular job is that the partners might find Jabbas a struggle.

On a seperate note their most recent add says they operate a 310. I'm pretty sure they have no twins ATM from what a mate tells me. Surprised this hadn't come up.

Cheers,
Greaser.

[AussieNick]

I swear i heard JOF up and flying the other week after its hard landing....

Jabbas isn't that hard of a place to live. hell you only a few hours drive from darwin anyway

[Hasselhof]

One of the problems that Kak Air have is that they are competing against charter companies for pilots. 400 hours is pretty steep for a scenic gig when there are competitors in the area that do flying other than scenics that will take guys with that level of experience.

[Hot High Heavy]

Dont think JOF will be flying out after seeing the pics. A bent spar and two engines that are pointing about 45 deg downwards. The engineer that owns it reckons he will eventually recover it once the road opens but its a write off from an insurance perspective.

Must have been a hell of a lot of 'wind shear'!

[solowflyer]

I think the reason for the turn over in that particular job is that the partners might find Jabbas a struggle.


Looxsury should try living across the river in Oenpeli

[AussieNick]

Hot High Heavy: have you got those pics handy? would love to see how the old bird has ended up.

Must have heard JIF then....

[Hot High Heavy]

Aussie Nick, Ill see if i can get them and PM you. Yeah JIF is that 172 that AAA use on scenics