Virgin Australia Cadetship 2012 & 2013

[Swept-Wing]

hmm. Surprisingly, there is No ACP ('Advanced Cadet Program') it seems.

[BrisbaneR33]

They say they will take PPLs. I wonder if there is a max number of hours they will take for this scheme.

[Elevators]

Finally here it is!

Pilot Cadet Program | Virgin Australia

[Altimeters]

I also am finishing Year 12 in 3 months

So it's now getting to the stage where people haven't even finished school and there's a massive rush to join an airline!!! It's ok Jay the world won't end this year, you'll be able to apply again next year!

[JustJoinedToSearch]

So they want people who are
1. Over 17/18 (Finished year 12)
2. Have a passion for aviation.
3. Have minimal flying experience?

Surely by the time you are 17/18 points 2 and 3 are pretty much mutually exclusive.

I have a passion for aviation (unfortunately) and when I was 15 I would use 100% of my fortnightly pay to have a 1 hour flying lesson every 2 weeks, and I know many others who did similar.

The only situation I can think of where it would apply would be someone with a disqualifying medical condition.

[NuFlyer]

Hi all, speaking of age, is there generally a 'ceiling' when it comes to cadet programs like these? I'm 28 this year and that is one of my concerns. A few years ago when I attended the MH and SQ cadet interviews 26 years of age was the max, if I remember correctly. I just submitted an application. IMO fat chance that I'll even be contacted but I guess I've got nothing to lose.

[Keg]

i started at 18. I spent my years from 16-18 earning money, umpiring football, doing stuff with the Air Force Cadets building up my non technical skills, etc. I did so knowing that once I left school at 18, I wouldn't have to do an hour every couple of weeks but could do two hours a week and really knock it over in a consistent manner.

There is no correct answer.

[Dragun]

So will these young-uns have to pay for this or is it on HELP debt? That part abou the fees was kind of confusing. I was under the impression that VA/Skywest will be footing the bill for the whole thing?

[JayG_Bull]

This is just how I see it, cannot confirm it is true however. There doesn't appear to be any personal cash going into this program.

VET FEE-HELP is another government loan HELP program such as HECS and FEE-HELP. FEE-HELP is for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and has a lifetime limit and is separate from HECS. VET FEE-HELP is similar. It provides assistance for payments of Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.

The VET FEE-HELP pays for the vast majority of the cadetship (Post-PPL). Virgin pay for pre-PPL flying, so GFPT as well as accommodation I believe. Then whilst you are bonded for 3 years on the ATR with 15% less remuneration you pay back Virgin. The 15% portion is your payment back to Virgin. So you will have paid your debt to Virgin back in those 3 years.

- VET FEE-HELP - $74,000
- Virgin Australia - All costs up to PPL plus accommodation etc.
- 3 years on a Skywest contract with Virgin Australia, gain 1,500hours experience and earn 15% less (Assuming to pay back the debt to Virgin)
- 4th year can move to Virgin mainline, debt free apart from the VET FEE-HELP which is paid back similarly to HECS.

Also, just because I'm keen to apply and I can't apply this year, doesn't mean I think it's the end of the world. I'll apply next year. I'm going to happily go to Uni and then happily leave if I manage to get into the cadetship next year. Being able to get into a cadetship before I apply for HECS loans would be financially beneficial as it would obviously save me from paying $30,000 on Uni debts, or at least a years worth once I earn above the pay threshold.

VET FEE-HELP - Study Assist

P.S. The 15% less pay may be beneficial as I think it will put cadets under the threshold to start making repayments on their loan. Can't remember what ATR FO's earned however...

[the_rookie]

Anyone know what the intake number would be? Looks like a few will be applying

[DancingDog]

@JG Bull
VET FEE HELP is still like a loan, it has to be paid back. The government may cover some of the cost, but the balance must be paid by the student. There's no such thing as a free lunch, especially with cadetships.

PS: I know you briefly mentioned it, it's just that the way you wrote it it kind of sounds like you're saying it's free

[JayG_Bull]

Ah yes, I see what you mean. I should proof read before posting
But I most definitely don't think it's free. Wish it was!

But anyway. The minimum salary for repayments is just under $60,000. Plus payments can be deferred for numerous reasons once that salary threshold has been passed.

[MrBawse]

FEE-HELP is for Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) and has a lifetime limit and is separate from HECS

FEE-HELP isn't for Commonwealth Supported Students but rather for Full Fee Paying students.

Commonwealth Supported Students defer their fees through the HECS scheme. In this scheme the government will contribute funds towards your total fees and you will only pay a portion of those fees; called student contributions.

In the FEE-HELP scheme the government makes no permenant contributions to your fees. It only "helps" you by paying your fees upfront but eventually ALL of this is to be paid back. There are also fees involved which brings me to my question!

FTA's website mentions a 20% loan fee for their VET-FEE HELP assisted course which is what am guessing applies to the new cadets. But on the Study Assist website, SA is now one of the "reform states" where these fees are not meant to apply. Has anyone got confirmation on whether these fees would apply or not?

Cheers

[TheWholeEnchilada]

JayG and others considering cadetships, if you haven't already done so, go and get your initial Class 1 aviation medical from a DAME - here's a starting point: CASA AVMED, Examiner List. There's no point beginning the process unless you can hold a class 1. Yes, its an expense now, but you are going to need to pay for it anyway, you don't need a license to get it. If you already have it, keep it current.

Just don't have any coffee before your exam. Be aware of recent changes to drug and alcohol questions about frequency of use of licit and illicit substances. I suspect that some young over-zealous imbibers may reconsider drinking levels to hold the medical, its caught out some current license holders.

[Aimpoint]

Why can't you have coffee? It's never affected my medical.

[TheWholeEnchilada]

It elevates blood pressure, exacerbating WCS (white coat syndrome). I know one individual that needs 3 BP's taken during examination before being acceptable - classic WCS. Coffee doesn't help, just a suggestion, as everyone reacts differently.

[aussie027]

Wow, looking at that syllabus, with a whole 180hrs under their belts in basic trainers and some sim time that should make them more than well qualified to sit in the right seat of an ATR airliner.

While many pilots with real world turbine experience, knowledge and maturity, myself included cannot get an interview to even fly a piston somewhere.

This whole cadet scheme is setup because they think there is a shortage of suitable pilots in Australia or there is going to be?? Are they kidding!!

[porch monkey]

That all depends on your definition of "suitable", doesn't it?

[bloated goat]

Virgin Australia Cadetship 2012

...............employing australia's next cheap labour........

[tobz92_ymen]

ab-initio to MECIR,frozen ATPL and MCC in 55 weeks, yeh good luck with that