Cairns and "Up North"

[stormywx]

Hi All,

I am just after some advise from those in the know!

I am a low hour guy looking to move to Cairns, with a CPL/ATPL's/CIR and around 200 hours.

Am wondering what sort of opportunities would be available etc? Any suggestions?

I am looking to travel up there shortly to check it out, pass out resumes etc as well.

I am basically after all these is to know... so if anyone can help feel free to post!

Thx

[Mainframe]

Stormy Mate, Cairns is not the place at your level of experience. Most Cairns operators require 2,000 total and 500 multi and several CIR renewals. It is unlikely you will get into a multi under 1,000hrs aeronautical experience anywhere, although some may have an understanding ninsurance company that might let you lose with only 500 multi. You need to get to the tourist areas (WA/NT/SA/Qld Gulf Country) to get some scenic flying but the season is winding down with the wet approaching. Otherwise it's meat bombing at scores of places. It's a tough road, don't give up but your training school should have told you the truth about your actual prospects. Don't forget, you also need a DG awareness certificate for charter ops, pax or freight. Somehow you've got to get your hours up to the 500 mark before anyone can take you seriously. Mind you, in the UK you expect to get a right seat with your experience and quals, but that's the JAR world for you. You will get to where you want, you just have to work out which roads take you there and there are no shortcuts. The same comments to some degree apply also to Darwin, but 1,000 and 100 multi might see you get started there. In the meantime there are a few boy-burners just waiting for you to fly for next to nothing in some remote places. There are many previous posts on this topic, but also try the Pastoral Companies, good experience, hard work,hard life, character building flying on a cattle property.

[Pretzal]

I have to say mainframe, that is an excellent post. It's good to see some people actually take the time out to respond properly instead of pilfering pissy, anecdotal stabs at humour, patronizing the posters concerns. Well Done.

Never say Never Stormy. It would not be impossible to get work in and around Cairns, but I feel you could be pushin s$#t up the proverbial. Good places to start with those hours are Kununurra, Broome, Maree, Darwin (to a lesser extent), maybe Fraser Island or as Mainframe suggested the Pastoral companies. Names to try include Stanbroke (QLD), Kidman (SA) and Wave Hill (WA/NT). Generally go where the tourists go or parachuting and you'll be fairly on track. Its a tough road, but sooo rewarding. Good Luck

[PLovett]

Just a quick note about Darwin.

A lot of the NT operators have their head office there and you need to see them to have any chance of getting a job. If they do hire you (as distinct from employing you as a casual), you will be sent bush to one of their bases.

As a casual, you may be able to stay in Darwin but you will be on the bottom of the pecking order for work - employed pilots, senior casual pilots, junior casual pilots. The result is that you will need some form of employment other than flying to survive.

You could not expect a post in Darwin until at least 12 months in the bush. The quality of the bush postings depends to a very large degree on exactly where you are posted. All of them are guaranteed to give you a lot of experience in a short time.

Good luck.:)

[topend3]

all very good points and another thing to remember buddy is that with new insurance premiums for operators at the mo is very hard (but not impossible) to get a start with 200-300hrs) as most companies have their minimum as 500hrs at present or higher.

this goes for all companies at darwin at present apart from nac and air frontier. nac are talking about it and will soon have a 500 hour requirement i believe though frontier will still take you with 200 hrs.
so how do youget to 500?

good question, do an instructor rating or go parachuting.

a few options anyway, operators in broome and kununurra will take you with your hours.

good luck, you will need it

[Transition Layer]

A similar topic was dealt with just a couple of months back. Check out The first job, What to do? (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57582)

Also not a bad idea to check out the search function of D&G as this sort of scenario comes up from time to time.

The general gist of it - don't bother with Cairns or Darwin til you have 500hrs + .

Best of luck with it...it can be done.

Cheers,
TL

[Throtlemonkey]

It's a hard road sure, but it's also a great adventure.

If your looking for parachuting work try the APF (http://www.apf.asn.au/) there is a list of drop zones in there somewhere , you will need 200 toatal time and 10 hours on type or similar type, plenty of info on this in pprune.

The Yellow Pages (http://www.yellowpages.com.au/) is also a useful resource.

Good luck stormy

[Meeb]

<<Mind you, in the UK you expect to get a right seat with your experience and quals, but that's the JAR world for you.>>

This is a common misconception among folks in Australia. It just does not happen like that any more. Maybe the odd 200hr guy gets lucky into the right seat of a jet, but that is very rare, and these days it is now unheard of. There are many experienced turbo prop/jet capts & f/o's still out of work, and a whole army of wannabes waiting on the call.

Please do not make the UK out as some sort of 'Pilots panacea', it is just not so, and there are many ozmates in that country fliping burgers with massive debt.

[Gravox]

Meat bombing is a good start. If you master the art of skydiving ops you can usually get work as a jump pilot anywhere. Almost all operators love to have experienced jump pilots. This helped me out as I drove around the country in search of work. Once I had settled in a location and was looking for a real flying job I would go to the jump operators and would pick up some casual work which kept me current instead of forking out hundreds of dollars that I didn't have to remain current.

At 200 hours I would suggest to stay away from the NT and Kunnunura, as every man and his dog goes up there in search of work. Wait till you get some more experience. Even at 700 hours I didn't find work up there.

Try to look for tourist spots. Scenic flights are a great way to build up the inital 500 hours. Slugging it around in a C172.
Hervey Bay Qld (Fraser Island) to name just one. I know of other places, but it wouldn't be far to name them for all to see. Do a search on the yellow pages, make hundreds of phone calls, and post of your resumes. Once you get into a scenic flying the hours never seem to come fast enough. You'll have to go out to the caravan parks, and actively promote the company your are flying for, drum up your own work.

At 200 hours you have to be able to sell yourself to your potential employer. What makes you better than the other 200 hour pilot whose resume also arrived today? Resumes are extremely important, so make sure it is set out neatly. Also attach an accompaning letter, stating what you can offer the company.

Best of luck, and keep you chin up

[jetage]

all good posts
about doing an instructors rating however, i got my first 500 hours with the help of a grade 3 rating then decided to try my luck "up north" specifically darwin and kununurra. to my disappointment, a lot of operators in the area didn't take my hard earned instructional time too seriously and being only a grade3 made it difficult to get instructing work too. a catch 22 situation with too much experience of the wrong sort to get into charter and not enough experience of the right sort to get into instructing. my advice, think very carefully about which road you wish to take before shelling out for an instructor's rating.

[topend3]

jetage, it is a sad fact of aviation i believe that charter operators can not recognise instructing time...who are they to say well you haven't earnt those hours because you were ONLY instructing!!!!
i think that is so wrong. good point though, maybe before you do the instructor rating you do need to think of which road you are heading down, it is tough though when you come to a place like darwin and can't get a look in because you have 300 hours, how do you get to 500 hours??? there aren't too many parachute ops up this way and those that are have 4 guys sharing the 10 hours flying they might do on a typical weekend.

[Spinnerhead]

GA companys have had too much previous experience with too many instructors whose flying skills didn't match their flying time.
It may have someting to do with the sanitised world most instructors are immersed in. It is nobodies fault, it just is what it is.

Topend3, GA companys do the employing and have the experience of hiring scores of new pilots. If they don't have a high regard for instructor hours, then it is probably a good indication that instructors hours are not good training for that type of work.

[High Altitude]

Don't despair its not that bad... Its worse (nah not really).

The big problem we are faced with these days are the insurance company. Employ someone with <500 and you excess doubles. So it works like this... the operator puts themselves at more financial risk. Then again I have seen many a 300 hour pilot fly a plane better than many a 700 hour pilot???

I have posted this before but basically you can never afford to give up.

[cunningham]

Jetage,

I know where your coming from. I went to Darwin many moons ago and at the time had 1000 hours, most of it instructing, couldn't get a look in anywhere. The response from most operators was polite however they seemed less than impressed with instructing time.

My advice to the new guys is if you want to become a charter pilot head "Up North" ASAP. If you don't want to fly charter and would rather instruct, stay there for the long haul. ie Grade one, META etc.

It can be quite difficult to change from instructing to charter at a later date. Of course it isn't impossible many of us are living proof of that.

Good luck Dudes and Dudettes.

[Woomera]

Well done chaps.:D

[compressor stall]

Excellent posts above.

To reiterate, Cairns in not a place for a low houred unemployed pilot. Reasons are many and varied, but basically all the major compnies run twins and all is IFR. Secondly, its a supply and demand thing. Experienced GA pilots want to live in Cairns, not in Lajamanu, hence the average hours on the resumes going across the CP's desk is much higher. The odd little company around (Like Daintree or Amity etc) that run singles, so certainly worth a call, but a trip to Darwin at anytime of year or Kununurra in March would be your best bet.

Good luck, do you research, be prepared and you will have the most memorable flying of your career. :D

[PLovett]

Just a random thought prompted by some of the posters on instructing hours versus charter hours.

As you are probably aware, CASA has a number of discussion papers out and about at present. One of the proposals is for a far more structured form of check and training for charter organisations. Another is that anyone doing check and training is to have instruction qualifications.

Depending on what you ultimate intentions are, you may want to consider getting an instructor's rating. If you are going to be in GA for some time, then it may well be worth the effort. If big shiny noise makers are the ultimate, then it probably wont matter.:) :)

[compressor stall]

good point plovett.

If you anticipate a career in the shiny metal, some insturcting background may be useful for a career in the heavy metal like check and training. some heavy metal drivers may like to elaborate on this.

Also, of the many "Check and Trainers" around (especially in G.A.) there would seem to be a lot of "checkers" but not too many "trainers." Maybe some instructing background would help to alleviate this.

[stormywx]

Thanks very much everyone for your replies, it has been a great help.

Thanks again!

stormy :)

[TurboOtter]

Typical requirements for G.A. Company in Cairns.

10,000 hours total time
11,000 Multi
6,000 on type
7,000 IFR
4,000 Single
3,000 turbine
2,000 Jet :cool:

I you have above we have a 172 with your name on it that you can fly for 200 bucks a week!!

Why is it that Aviations companies requirements are always just that little higher than my current qualifications.

When I 200 hrs I got told I need 500, When I had 500 I got told I need 1000, When I finally reached 1000, I got told I need 100 Multi. It just goes on and on.
:confused:

[compressor stall]

The airfield requirement prior to the industry slowdown, thanks to OBL and AN, was around 400 multi and around 1500TT.

At present with the average GA pilot hours a bit higher, that has probably risen a bit. The industry seems to be moving again slowly, so in another 6 months it will probably fall again.

There has been a fair bit of movement in the past couple of months in CS, so persistence pays.

[Capt Vegemite]

Turbo Otter you forgot to mention the manadatory Qld. frontal lobotomy.

[661 KTAS]

2500TT
300 ME
G1 instructor
ATPL

What are my chances in Darwin ?!?!

[TurboOtter]

The frontal lobotomy is standard practise on recieving your CPL isn't it???:D :D

[compressor stall]

661 your chances of success are propably linked to your attitude. You are high houred and well qualified. Are you still prepared to go out bush to some remote community, and fly an old 210 around for sod all $$ for at least a year, then move to Darwin and get a bit of twin work.

If you are prepared to do that, then your chances are good. If not, then stay in BK or MB or wherever.

Should you end up in DN, there is a different mentality up there with respect to flying. If you barge in (and i am not saying you would) as a high houred southern pilot (and an instructor to boot) it will instantly raise heckles and you will never, ever get a job in DN. Instructing time is not really looked upon that favourably. In the past a few instructors have come north and have not been very good at thinking outside the square to get the job done. Sadly those incompetent few have tarnished the reputation for the good all round pilots who have chosen to instruct then move on.

Good luck.

[hmm...]

Instructing time is not really looked upon that favourably

Has to be better then jump work?:confused:

[jetage]

hmm... :

again, that's up to whoever is doing the hiring, some CPs seem to have a preference for meatbombers while others say that while they are good at taking off heavy, landing light, climbing and descending, they may not be much good at other work associated with charter ops , ie pax and cargo manifests, cargo nets, basic nav etc. so go figure.

i guess the best prior experience to have to get into charter flying is well... charter flying! and we all know what we have to do to get that kind of experience!

[Capt Vegemite]

they may not be much good at other work associated with charter ops , ie pax and cargo manifests, cargo nets, basic nav etc. so go figure.

Jeezuz...whatever happened to good old common sense, or is that another "endorsement" nowdays ?

[stormywx]

Bringing topic to the top incase anyone else has any info.

[Mainframe]

Turbo & Stormy
Yes, the requirements are a bit higher in Cairns, not quite as high as Turbo thinks, but higher than most places. Why? Well, for a start, Cairns is THE most desirable place for a GA pilot to work in Australia while waiting for the Jet job. Climate and scenery make it one of Australia's top tourist destinations (this also means the southern expats can expect cheap airline flights home). The flying weather is challenging at times and you'll get to do mostly ILS approaches, while flying really well maintained and well equipped aircraft. Living is very affordable and probably nearly as cheap as Perth to rent somewhere. Being a major city means everything you're used to in shopping, movies and recreation is there. And Turbo, here's the good bit. ALL operators except one pay the award or higher. Most Cairns operators also operate out of Horn Island in the Straits, again, all operators pay the award except one (different one up there, ask around, someone will tell you the two who don't). OK, so let's summarise this.
1. You get paid the award,
2. You work for really top operators,
3. You fly excellent equipment,
4. you get to live in paradise.
So the downside is this , EVERYONE wants to work there for all or some of these reasons (getting paid properly is a novelty for most) so therefore there is a big queue, nearly as big as QANTAS's queue, so, like QANTAS, with so many wannabes and the need to have the cream of the crop, the bar gets lifted a bit higher than most places just because it can be. Some of the top operators in Cairns are: Skytrans, Hinterland, Cape York Airlines, AeroTropics, G.A.M. (Stewart Aviation YMEN), Barrier, All of these pay the award, there may be some I've missed and the non award have not been mentioned so no clues. SO, get out to the bush, get exploited, get to Darwin or the Kimberley, get some hours and then if you're very lucky you'll end your GA career in YBCS, get to airlines and maybe you'll be lucky enough to get back there with AA. If anyone knows of a better place (with all the 4 pts above) to work in GA australia, then post it and lead the way.

[BongoDriver]

Hate to rain on a parade here but 2 of those Cairns Airlines you mentioned do NOT pay the award.

However everything else you said is spot on. :)

[TurboOtter]

Hi there Mainframe

Yes Cairns is one of the best plaes to be in Aus. I haven't even be in NT or wanted to, but sad to say in Carins I was paid below award and now am paid appox 4 times more than that job flying the same machine, ( not a TurboOtter by the way):cool:

G.A. needs to wake up and smell the roses, you pay for monkeys you get monkeys, and that's if your lucky.

I would love to go back to Cairns but to work for around 20 G a year,mmmmmmmmmm not sure if I like it that much.

Anyway, I work hard and play harder and good luck to all up the top end!!




:D :D :D

[BongoDriver]

Here is the website of one of Cairns's best GA operators for you to have a gander at Mainframe.

SKYTRANS (http://www.skytrans.com.au)

[Mainframe]

Bongo

Thanks for the link, couldn't see myself there but here's a couple more of the Cairns operators for the aspiring .

reefwatch.com (http://www.reefwatch.com)

capeyorkair.com.au (http://www.capeyorkair.com.au)

aerotropics.com.au (http://www.aero-tropics.com.au)

hinterlandaviation.com.au (http://www.hinterlandaviation.com.au)

p.s. my inquiries indicate that they do pay the award, sometimes with accommodation deducted, sometimes after a probationary period and on attaining a command. We can't name anyone here so the aspirant will need to establish the facts themselves. Things may have changed since you were, all except one operates Bongo's.

[Capt Vegemite]

Cairns must have one of Oz's last collection of AC 500's?
They were corroding 20 odd years ago when they were used for coast watch.:eek:

[compressor stall]

There are quite a few here Vege...Hinterland have 2, Troppos have 2, and GAM/reefwatch have 4-5. That's over 20% of the OZ register!

[Beech Me Up]

All the above information is of benefit, to the newbies in the area the following is some additional information and tips to take onboard as you wish...........

Cairns itself has 5 big players in the charter game being -

Aero tropics Ph 07 4035 9138
Owner Ric Lippman
CP ???
Aircraft BN-2A's, Partnavia's, Baron's, PA-31's
All up approx 15 a/c
Bases Cairns. Horn Island

Cape York Air Ph 07 4035 9399
Owner ??
CP ??
Aircraft BN-2A's, C-208, Pa-31's, C-206, C-182
All up approx 8 a/c
Bases Cairns, Horn Island, Badu Island

GAM Ph 07 4035 9250
Owner Steve Nott
Ops Man Gary Trench
Aircraft Ac-500's, AC-680's, AC-690's
All up approx 25 a/c
Bases Cairns, Karumba, Emerald. Brisbane
Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide

Hinterland Ph 07 4035 9323
Owner ???
CP Sam Sappono
Aircraft C-206, Ac-500's, C-402's, C-404's
C-208's, B-200
All up approx 10 a/c
Bases Cairns

Skytrans Ph 07 4046 2462
Owner Richard Barnard
CP Rob Alexander
Aircraft C-310's, C-402's, C-404's, BN-2A, B200
All up approx 17 a/c

All of these operaters would require >1500 hrs and 500 multi, with maybe a few renewals included. That does not mean to say that you carnt apply or even better stop by with 200hrs ask to meet the CP pass on your resume and ask what sort of experience is required to get a foot in the door. Make sure he/she will remember your name once you leave and continue to update them of your progress, before you know it (prob 1-2 years) you'll be flying with one of these companies. All of these companies are well known by the bigger fish (regionals and majors) so its in your intrest to try and gain a position here. As always knowing somebody to get you an interview helps but even so with the right attitude and determination on your side doing it all your self is TOTALLY possible!!!!!
So now they know you, you know what you have to do, get some experience but where ????, if you want to work for these companies you will have to stay within their geographic location being FNQ.

So the next step try these operators to gain experience

Skydiving operations Cairns Skydive Cairns
Pauls Parachuting
Tully Jump the beach

Small charter operators Cairns Daintree Air Services
C-206's, PA-31
(Cp - Greg nice bloke!!)

Beagle Airways PA-31
Ron ??????

Innisvail Hinchinbrook Air Services
Bob Harris
C-206's (freight - cape )

Cooktown Cape Air Transport
C-182, Partenavia
Based Torres Strait's

Karumba Gulf Line Aviation
Maint base Mareeba
15nm west cairns
bases karumba, kowanyama

Weipa Weipa Air Services
Rob Statton (I think)
C-310's, C-172

Queensland Aerial Services

Mt Isa Air Mount Isa
C-206, C-210, C-402, C-404
Baron, EMB110

Burketown Savannah Aviation
Bonnanza, Baron's, PA-31

Instructors North Queensland Aero Club
07 4035 9438
C-152's, C-172's, C-172rg, PA-28

Barrier Aviation
07 4035 9207

Cape York Air
C-152's, C-172's

Mustering Stanbroke Pastoral
Based - Fort Constantine station
years ago when I was looking
(near mount Isa)
Neil Bates
C-172, C-182 (10 in total)


So I hope that this help out in regard to the situation in north queensland. As I said previously, If you want to work for one of the big 5, stop by meet the CP, make sure he/she knows and will remenber you. Try and meet some of the line pilots while you are in Cairns, find another job with the above operators and allways keep updating, by the time you've get 1500hrs you'll know the CP on a personal basis, always be prepared for the interview it could arise at any time and do NOTHING to earn yourself a reputation, news travels very very fast!!!!!

Best of luck, if you need and further info post and I'll reply........

[eggs]

That would be one of the best posts I have seen on Pprune.
Top marks and keep it going!
Could you send me an email please?

Eggs

[The Horse's Mouth]

Beech me Up, u have no idea how helpful that info is!!!!

just a question though, who is GAM?

btw, im a Grade 1, BK, 1600, META and abt 150 multi, mostly IFR.
im leaving instructing and wanna go up to Cairns, move into charter.

Realistically speaking, in you opinion, is it a good idea? or useless?

Any suggestions wud be reallllly appreciated!!

[Beech Me Up]

The horses mouth

GAM stands for General Aviation Maintenance

It is based in Essendon Melbourne and conducts primarily freight operations from all bases except Cairns which is mainly charter work conducted through its subsidary Reefwatch Air tours.

I think, and its only my opinion that 1600hrs instructing is enough, and some charter would be of essential use to you at this stage in your career. There are some things you can do before up and leaving however, make the calls to the people your interested in and get a feel for the place. Another thing you have going for you is that you work in bankstown, GAM operates 2-3 aircraft from that port !!!!! So find out where the mayne nickless terminal is wait for the AC-690 to turn up late in the afternoon and when the pilots has a chance introduce yourself to the senior base pilot. Best of luck in your endeavours.............................

[Mainframe]

BMU & THM

GAM operates as "Stewart Aviation", "Commander Air" and "Reefwatch". Normal entry method is by invitation, i.e. someone in already is prepared to recommend you (and accept the consequences if you turn out to be a dud). Chief Pilot is Charlie Mogg, YBBN, but Gary Trench, YMEN is the man usually to give the nod.

So find out who's flying for them already and say hello as suggested, or visit YMEN. The aircraft are probably amongst the best maintained GA types in OZ. At one stage they operated an active hold file with seniority for vacancies.

THM, I think GAM used to operate a flying school under some name at Avalon or Point Cook, maybe instructing could be a leg in.

As for Cairns, as I said earlier, you are, because of experience requirements, more likely to finish up in GA there than start there. There are a lot of pilots waiting in Cairns, not as many as Darwin.

If you are "Up North" around March/April, the big experience is Prawn Spotting in the Gulf, Karumba, then Boroloola. AeroTropics, (C310/BE58/AC50), GAM (AC50) and other operators from everywhere join in the fun, the season starts April 1, but some preliminary spotting happens before that to suss out where the prawns are so that after the Le Mans start for the trawlers, they have some idea where to start trawling.

This is good multi time building, expect 7 hours stick time per day with exemptions for duty and weekly totals,but personal discipline needed as many aircraft are in close proximity using 250' vert separation, bit like gliders thermalling.

If you do get to work in Cairns, it's the closest thing to paradise you will experience in GA.

[nungry]

The listing that BMU gave is very comprehensive - I don't think old mate in Victoria who sells the JP Airline Fleet will be too impressed though!! There goes his "heading to QLD" customers! BMU's pretty much got it covered though, just a few old names and a/c that don't limp around anymore in the listings, but at least you'll get the general idea!!

I got my first job out of here as a lowley 200hr pilot, and my second and third. CS has a lot to offer, from the bottom end to the top end of the scale. Not many places around anymore where they hold a 74' up for a 206 on final. Thats the sort of place it is. All aspects of aviation is here. And it IS a top place to live.

As a famous songster once sang - "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, in ole............." , you get the drift - too many nights of karaoke at the Gateway coming through there - sorry. Good luck!!

[bushpig]

I wish some of you guys would cool it a little about Cairns. Appropriately for this forum, we used to call it Godzone country. It has been my home for many years. I am not there now and you guys are not making it easier to get back. If you are working for a good operator in Cairns there is really not much reason to move including airlines.

The weather is hot but not so much as Darwin, the women dress appropriately.....! A Great place.

From my experience in the area anyone who sticks it out long enough there will end up with a job, maybe in Torres Strait but that's OK too....for a while. The Aviation scene is very active, the women warm and the water inviting. I think I got them in the wrong order there somehow! The flying is quite good too.

[J0N0]

Further to Beech me Up's excellent post.

Aerotropics C/P is Ian Cooper
He is a very hard man to see as he's very busy and I understand they prefer people to apply through their web site. www.aero-tropics.com.au
Added to there fleet they also have a couple/few AC50's (Aerocommanders/Shrikes)
Apart from Rick and Ian I don't think they base any pilots outa CS. If so not many as most of there flying is on HID.

Cape York no longer has a C206.
Also no base on HID. They do go through there from Badu Isl and have a desk in the terminal but thats is. They have recently changed hands and I THINK have been bought by a local "syndicate." Not sure who the CP is anymore.

Hinterland Aviation is owned by Trail Finders a travel agent & the C/P is Sam Sapuppo.

[compressor stall]

All the above is pretty close to the mark.

Northern Air Services in the Staits apparently ceased trading a month or so back, and is now owned/run by Barrier aviation, but possibly still trading under the NAS name.

[661 KTAS]

Anyone care to comment on what life is like for a pilot on HID ??

Is beer expensive ??

[Mainframe]

661, YES, beer is expensive, try $5+ for a stubby or $44 for a carton. Anywhere remote has logistics problems that are solved with money. Zone A tax rebates are an attempt to compensate for the transport added costs to everything and the minor inconveniences incurred by living/working in a remote area.

apart from that, HID is not such a bad place, there are certainly worse places to live/work as a pilot. Strong sense of camaradery amongst the pilot community, there have been previous posts reminiscing the experience many have enjoyed.

The bonus for a pilot though, is the opportunity to fly in and out of a couple of challenging strips and enjoy some spectacular and photogenic scenery while you do it, and the Torres Straits islanders are generally a jovial race with a good sense of humour.

Very few regret their time/experience there.