UPDATE - GA Jobs 2021
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UPDATE - GA Jobs 2021
I posted early this year as a recent CPL graduate in Melbourne and looking to break into GA up north. I went up north clockwise with around 12 hours of C206 time ($5,400 total) and completed the JPA course (C208B package with 12 hours ICUS) and paid $7,000. With the C206 and the C208B, probably spent close to $13,000. I also took a personal loan to cover this cost. I stayed in a hostel in Broome for a month and a motor inn at Alice Springs for 6 weeks! Very expensive! Have now come back to Melbourne and almost given up as I'm even more debt now than when I finished the CPL + ME IR package here in Melbourne.
Any advice? I am thinking of taking another personal loan to pay for more C206 hours and Multi Crew Cooperation, and maybe Dangerous goods acceptance. And maybe do 5-10 hours more on a multi engine aircraft from another personal loan. Last thought was an Instructor Rating but would have to take another loan for that ($22,000).
Please no hate. I had enough of it last time I posted.
Any advice? I am thinking of taking another personal loan to pay for more C206 hours and Multi Crew Cooperation, and maybe Dangerous goods acceptance. And maybe do 5-10 hours more on a multi engine aircraft from another personal loan. Last thought was an Instructor Rating but would have to take another loan for that ($22,000).
Please no hate. I had enough of it last time I posted.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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2 cents worth - I'd guess there's more chance of instructing than charter flying coming along....when things return to "normal".... with your travels you should have a better feeling regards the charter market.
Spending more $$ on this and that without a job offer, just can't see the point IMHO.
Instructing may not be your preferred option Vs charter work but if willing to travel may provide a start before a charter position comes along.
Good luck.
Spending more $$ on this and that without a job offer, just can't see the point IMHO.
Instructing may not be your preferred option Vs charter work but if willing to travel may provide a start before a charter position comes along.
Good luck.
There is many instructors looking for jobs at the moment so I would be mindful about investing in that. Many G1s and 2s also. However it might be something worth looking into perhaps in 12-24 months. Spend the 206 cash on that rating.
I would probably sit it out for a year or two. Perhaps the time isn’t right at the moment.
I would probably sit it out for a year or two. Perhaps the time isn’t right at the moment.
Hearbreaking to hear
I'm out of the industry now, and have been for a couple of years. So I'm certainly not telling you what to do, just giving you some thoughts to put in amongst your mix of options.
First. Thumbs up to you, you got off your arse and had a pretty good crack. Not sure about how good some of the investments were, but nevertheless you had a go. Good intent.
Take a TEMPORARY break. You've had a hit, and the industry's probably tough at the moment. Save like crazy for 18 months, as much as you can toward an instructor rating. Let your absence fuel your passion. Come back, knock off an instructor rating, ideally at the school you want to work with, so dont pick your provider on price alone. Never any guarantees, but you may as well do it where you want to work. Don't be too shy, and let the HOO know that's why you chose the school. Treat the 2 month course like a job interview.
Hopefully by then you will be refreshed and good to go.
Some may jump on here and say don't do an instructor rating if you don't want to be an instructor. Valid point, but you may as well say don't be a charter pilot flying a beat up 206 in the middle of bum f#$% Idaho, unless you want to be a charter pilot flying a beat up...........
You just have to be professional and passionate at that stage of your career. If you don't think you would be a good instructor, fair enough, but don't discount it.
Most likely you will get to stay closer to home, easy to supplement with a second job in a capital city, keeps your theory up to date for future interviews, great for networking both within the industry (pilots) and outside the industry (students from a variety of backgrounds). Trust me you will meet all sorts of characters. Instructing is an increasingly valuable qualification to have for an Airline career etc etc.
Good on you. Stick it out. Do whatever you need to do, but stay focused.
Instructor Rating usually tax deductible, so it will be about a third less painful than it looks, and especially if you pay for the course in late June, and put the claim in the same year. Back in your pocket a few weeks later to pay back to the relative that helped you out with a short term loan for a few thousand dollars in order to keep the ball rolling.
First. Thumbs up to you, you got off your arse and had a pretty good crack. Not sure about how good some of the investments were, but nevertheless you had a go. Good intent.
Take a TEMPORARY break. You've had a hit, and the industry's probably tough at the moment. Save like crazy for 18 months, as much as you can toward an instructor rating. Let your absence fuel your passion. Come back, knock off an instructor rating, ideally at the school you want to work with, so dont pick your provider on price alone. Never any guarantees, but you may as well do it where you want to work. Don't be too shy, and let the HOO know that's why you chose the school. Treat the 2 month course like a job interview.
Hopefully by then you will be refreshed and good to go.
Some may jump on here and say don't do an instructor rating if you don't want to be an instructor. Valid point, but you may as well say don't be a charter pilot flying a beat up 206 in the middle of bum f#$% Idaho, unless you want to be a charter pilot flying a beat up...........
You just have to be professional and passionate at that stage of your career. If you don't think you would be a good instructor, fair enough, but don't discount it.
Most likely you will get to stay closer to home, easy to supplement with a second job in a capital city, keeps your theory up to date for future interviews, great for networking both within the industry (pilots) and outside the industry (students from a variety of backgrounds). Trust me you will meet all sorts of characters. Instructing is an increasingly valuable qualification to have for an Airline career etc etc.
Good on you. Stick it out. Do whatever you need to do, but stay focused.
Instructor Rating usually tax deductible, so it will be about a third less painful than it looks, and especially if you pay for the course in late June, and put the claim in the same year. Back in your pocket a few weeks later to pay back to the relative that helped you out with a short term loan for a few thousand dollars in order to keep the ball rolling.
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G'day,
From what you described - I'd give it a break for now and come back at a later date. I'm not saying give up, just take a break from it. Use the time for further study, industry research and find a job elsewhere to start building up your savings again - and keep yourself current with some minimal amount (but consistent) flying each month. Even if its only 0.5 every couple weeks.
Pushing something too hard when the universe is telling you otherwise will just end badly. And you never know what opportunities will open up even if you are serving coffee at star bucks or cleaning toilets. I've worked in F&B and cleaned public toilets and learnt a lot by doing so.
Cheers!
From what you described - I'd give it a break for now and come back at a later date. I'm not saying give up, just take a break from it. Use the time for further study, industry research and find a job elsewhere to start building up your savings again - and keep yourself current with some minimal amount (but consistent) flying each month. Even if its only 0.5 every couple weeks.
Pushing something too hard when the universe is telling you otherwise will just end badly. And you never know what opportunities will open up even if you are serving coffee at star bucks or cleaning toilets. I've worked in F&B and cleaned public toilets and learnt a lot by doing so.
Cheers!
I wouldn't do the MCC course just yet. Although generally a vacuous course and IMHO a waste of several $K it is a requirement for multi crew. That said, having it done can push you to the front of the queue when a multi crew job comes up and they need someone to start tomorrow (and they can't do it in house). You're probably not at that point just yet.
Step 1: Drive to Kununurra
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
I feel for you mate, I really do. Just be cautious about going into further debt at this stage. First jobs generally don't pay well, you don't want to be crippled by debt.
A job will come eventually. Some people get one quickly, some take longer. Hang in there and it'll happen.
With the C208 stuff, apply for all the skydive companies you can find in the country.
A job will come eventually. Some people get one quickly, some take longer. Hang in there and it'll happen.
With the C208 stuff, apply for all the skydive companies you can find in the country.
I’d say go north again and get a job doing anything, ok once Covid allows.
Pick anywhere, you’ve proven you don’t mind having a crack, now you have to pick the place you liked the most in your travels and hit it out.
It will get better, oh sure probably worse for a wee bit but it must get better.
Many good points above.
I don’t reckon you need to spend more money, just keep current in whatever town your in.
Pick anywhere, you’ve proven you don’t mind having a crack, now you have to pick the place you liked the most in your travels and hit it out.
It will get better, oh sure probably worse for a wee bit but it must get better.
Many good points above.
I don’t reckon you need to spend more money, just keep current in whatever town your in.
My two cents....
4 or 5 months moving throughout the north of Oz is not going to land you a job. As aussieflyboy says, you need to pick a spot and sit it out. You may jag a job by just moving through but they are very rare and in the current climate, most likely non existent. Best advice I give to all the youngsters..... ‘be persistent’. It will happen......eventually.....
as for the ‘usually’ tax deductible instructor rating, not quite sure its tax deductible if you’re not already working in the industry, otherwise it’s just a capital expense. And you need to be paying tax to offset it against, so you need a reasonable income in the industry. Speak to a professional about that one.
4 or 5 months moving throughout the north of Oz is not going to land you a job. As aussieflyboy says, you need to pick a spot and sit it out. You may jag a job by just moving through but they are very rare and in the current climate, most likely non existent. Best advice I give to all the youngsters..... ‘be persistent’. It will happen......eventually.....
as for the ‘usually’ tax deductible instructor rating, not quite sure its tax deductible if you’re not already working in the industry, otherwise it’s just a capital expense. And you need to be paying tax to offset it against, so you need a reasonable income in the industry. Speak to a professional about that one.
Step 1: Drive to Kununurra
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
I’d say this is a great plan to follow. Don’t spend any more than it takes to stay current.
Once you get to town, get out there and meet people, it’s all about who you know.
Don’t give up, and don’t take a break.
Interesting how the tone of replies is different this time to your last thread. I think it shows how people in general want to help those who are trying to help themselves, as you did by getting out there and having a go.
Keep going. Good luck!
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Step 1: Drive to Kununurra
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: australia
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Step 1: Drive to Kununurra
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
Step 2: Rent a room ($250 per week)
Step 3: Get a job (Pub/Coles/Hotel/Farm)
Step 4: Drop into Shoal/Aviair/KAT once your settled, and then once or twice a month to remind them your still there.
If your not a flog a job will present itself within 12 months. In the mean time you can explore and save money in a town where people are paying thousands to go and visit.
enjoy!
Anyway, talking to store/restaurant/bar folk, due to the lack of travellers, there are more jobs than workers in Darwin.
I also heard what sounded like the usual amount of “lighties” flying around.
So, to the OP, here are some things to think about. (Once lockouts ease)
You won’t get a flying job up North, when you are down South.
There are lots of “jobs” in Darwin that will help you pay the bills.
Accommodation is reasonably priced.
While you are there, you could spend your time getting to know some pilots and CP’s/Owners.
Maybe it’s time to stop spending money on flying Quals that you don’t need, and start earning. Pay down the loans, put some money away for job hunting trips.
If you are still in Darwin at the beginning of the next dry season, that will put you at the front of the queue.
Another plus is the weather is great, the town was busy-ish and the local people will always need to travel by air.
IMHO, being “down South” and paying for more things isn’t going to get you a job in GA.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL YOUR ATPL THEORY DONE AND A DG CERTIFICATE BEFORE YOU GO.
P.S ALLIANCE is employing Flight Attendants for their EJet operation up there. Also try Air North.
P.S.S Look into the ground handling agents that do the airlines, the gate girl was there 3 months before being promoted to Supervisor.
Give it a break for 12 months - Save up and start your instructor training in 12-18 months - enjoy it! You may find this timeline still has you sitting on ya bum for a while but at least you're ready when it does.
The other option is to wait to start your training until almost all international borders are open again - this is the main area of pain for the airlines but when they go again (properly) the rush will be swift (or as swift as the airlines can retrain their grounded pilots).
There is a lot of doom and gloom being one of the biggest holes the industries ever faced, but the upturn, whenever it does go, will also be the biggest the industry has seen.
good luck
The other option is to wait to start your training until almost all international borders are open again - this is the main area of pain for the airlines but when they go again (properly) the rush will be swift (or as swift as the airlines can retrain their grounded pilots).
There is a lot of doom and gloom being one of the biggest holes the industries ever faced, but the upturn, whenever it does go, will also be the biggest the industry has seen.
good luck
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Reading the replies all interesting - leaving you possibly more confused than before.
It is only the mid point of the tourist flying, the longer you are around and the operators KNOW your around should put you in a better place than those who rock up at the beginning of the season.
Seems wherever you chose to end up getting paid employment won't be a problem, whilst things may be flat now you never know when someone's going to chuck it in/move on (or be moved on) and this can happen at anytime of the year.
Although the tourist season dries up in the wet that is (in a small way) compensated by flights to communities/stations due cut roads etc, have to look at what sort of fix of flying each operator has.
If you need $$ and not too worried about getting out in the big bad world I'd pick a town/area (opinions of "best" places will vary quite a bit), settle in and see what comes along.
Along the way certainly clean up the paperwork/studies etc as much as possible or is useful.
I think Roj is correct regards sitting home down south waiting for a job up north - most unlikely.
Personally would be wary of Darwin and suggest a better chance in KNX/BME/ASP or similar places, maybe something in central/west Queensland.
Good luck.
It is only the mid point of the tourist flying, the longer you are around and the operators KNOW your around should put you in a better place than those who rock up at the beginning of the season.
Seems wherever you chose to end up getting paid employment won't be a problem, whilst things may be flat now you never know when someone's going to chuck it in/move on (or be moved on) and this can happen at anytime of the year.
Although the tourist season dries up in the wet that is (in a small way) compensated by flights to communities/stations due cut roads etc, have to look at what sort of fix of flying each operator has.
If you need $$ and not too worried about getting out in the big bad world I'd pick a town/area (opinions of "best" places will vary quite a bit), settle in and see what comes along.
Along the way certainly clean up the paperwork/studies etc as much as possible or is useful.
I think Roj is correct regards sitting home down south waiting for a job up north - most unlikely.
Personally would be wary of Darwin and suggest a better chance in KNX/BME/ASP or similar places, maybe something in central/west Queensland.
Good luck.
Personally would be wary of Darwin and suggest a better chance in KNX/BME/ASP or similar places, maybe something in central/west Queensland.
Good luck.
Good luck.