Tips on gaining Command Time?
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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Tips on gaining Command Time?
Hello all.
I am an unemployed CPL holder (Another one!) current searching for the elusive first job. I am planning to head north soon, but with only 90hrs command, I will need another 10 hours before I am employable (in theory!).
My question to those in the know: Does anybody have any tips on what a/c to fly, where to fly it from etc?
I have seen advertised an operator at Jandakot who has a program where you pay for two command time building trips in a C210, and then they give you the opportunity to do 10 hours ICUS with a charter company in Broome. Has anybody done this, and would you recommend it?
Sorry about all the questions, but I don't know who else to ask!
Thanks in advance.
I am an unemployed CPL holder (Another one!) current searching for the elusive first job. I am planning to head north soon, but with only 90hrs command, I will need another 10 hours before I am employable (in theory!).
My question to those in the know: Does anybody have any tips on what a/c to fly, where to fly it from etc?
I have seen advertised an operator at Jandakot who has a program where you pay for two command time building trips in a C210, and then they give you the opportunity to do 10 hours ICUS with a charter company in Broome. Has anybody done this, and would you recommend it?
Sorry about all the questions, but I don't know who else to ask!
Thanks in advance.
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Sydney, Australia
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How to get command time. There's bundles of ways. It takes a bit of legwork, and a bit of get up and go, and a good attitude.
How I got mine was to get an instructors rating with a good school, and then go get some students. Getting students isn't that hard either. I was doing 10hrs instructing on weekends (flying instructing, that is) All of the long briefs were done during the week, and the w/ends were for flying. All the other instructors at the same establishment were sitting around drinking coffee, and trying to pinch my studnets as they walked thru the door. They claimed that I was too busy and I should pass some on to them. ****** off !!
To get a charter job at the grass roots at the moment might be a little hard, because of the recent happenings with the airlines, and instructing is good fun for a while.
Email me if you more info, happy to pass it on.
Ahab.
How I got mine was to get an instructors rating with a good school, and then go get some students. Getting students isn't that hard either. I was doing 10hrs instructing on weekends (flying instructing, that is) All of the long briefs were done during the week, and the w/ends were for flying. All the other instructors at the same establishment were sitting around drinking coffee, and trying to pinch my studnets as they walked thru the door. They claimed that I was too busy and I should pass some on to them. ****** off !!
To get a charter job at the grass roots at the moment might be a little hard, because of the recent happenings with the airlines, and instructing is good fun for a while.
Email me if you more info, happy to pass it on.
Ahab.
Join Date: May 2001
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there are 2 ways of getting time one is to instruct the other is to do what it sounds like you are doing, just keep at it, i went up north and after 3 months of nothing got a great charter job and haven't looked back, a lot of instructors are out there competing for each others students and from what i can tell a lot of instructors get caught in a rut, it is a way of earning a living but watching some one else fly is less than exciting and although instructors all tell you that you learn a how to fly by becomeing an instructor, this isn't exactly true, you learn the principles behind it but you don't experience flying in strong cross winds onto little bush strips surrounded by tall trees, or any other adverse weather, if you go up north you are expected to go if it is possible which means you will experience all weather, and nothing i gives you better aircraft handling skills than flying fully loaded into and out of small un even runways that resemble slalom courses in howling winds with trees around to creat strong shear, it gets hairy at times but it is great.
most charter pilots also advance quicker than people who do instructing, i over took all of my friends who took the instructing path most still fly singles with a touch of twin work were i now run around in chieftains an such like on bank runs.
if you can afford the 210 flying go for it and dont worry about the ansett pilots i highly doubt any will be looking for a single job up north, there is still movment in the industrie it has just slowed a bit for the time being.
last thing is don't pay for your job, it makes it harder on every one, 10 hrs is fine, look at it as something that will get you comfortable in a plane that can be tricky at first and you never know it could lead to a job if you impress and they have a pos. however if they start stringing you along selling you more hours resist it and move on.
best of luck
most charter pilots also advance quicker than people who do instructing, i over took all of my friends who took the instructing path most still fly singles with a touch of twin work were i now run around in chieftains an such like on bank runs.
if you can afford the 210 flying go for it and dont worry about the ansett pilots i highly doubt any will be looking for a single job up north, there is still movment in the industrie it has just slowed a bit for the time being.
last thing is don't pay for your job, it makes it harder on every one, 10 hrs is fine, look at it as something that will get you comfortable in a plane that can be tricky at first and you never know it could lead to a job if you impress and they have a pos. however if they start stringing you along selling you more hours resist it and move on.
best of luck
Join Date: Jan 2001
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iamafish
yes you are, but so was I and I still am. Duke of Duchess has given you some very good advice. Do yourself a favour and take it. However, go in to everything with no expectations and your eyes wide open. I don't care what the ad says you aint getting 10hrs charter in Broome (probably not even if you pay and log icus). My advice would be to get some C210 time or even just a ride. Head north (with a one page res - no photo) and try every operator everywhere. Don't expect a warm reception, 11/09 and Ansett and everything else has hit us hard too and all currently employed pilots in the top end arre fighting for their own hours.
Be nice, be persistant (not anoying) and good luck.
VneII
PS where are you from??
yes you are, but so was I and I still am. Duke of Duchess has given you some very good advice. Do yourself a favour and take it. However, go in to everything with no expectations and your eyes wide open. I don't care what the ad says you aint getting 10hrs charter in Broome (probably not even if you pay and log icus). My advice would be to get some C210 time or even just a ride. Head north (with a one page res - no photo) and try every operator everywhere. Don't expect a warm reception, 11/09 and Ansett and everything else has hit us hard too and all currently employed pilots in the top end arre fighting for their own hours.
Be nice, be persistant (not anoying) and good luck.
VneII
PS where are you from??
Join Date: Nov 2000
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Dont worry about command time. From my experience, it doesnt make any difference. Generally, in standard, there's not too much diff between 160hr pilots and 260 hour pilots. If you can before you have a checkflight jump in an aeroplane - any plane, even observe if thats the best you can do, as it gets your mind back thinking about flying. ICUS in a C210 - you're being taken advantage of if you're paying for it. A bit of ICUS in a C210 is good, just to see your getting a hang of things, but it comes usually just after you almost have the job.
The thing thats going to get you a job is your presentation and personality. If they like you 9 times out of 10 they'll put a bit of time into you to see you come up to speed. Thats where a bit of currency on anything that flies helps.
The thing thats going to get you a job is your presentation and personality. If they like you 9 times out of 10 they'll put a bit of time into you to see you come up to speed. Thats where a bit of currency on anything that flies helps.
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Thank-you all for the great information. You have given me the confirmation I was looking for, that the industry hasn't dried up yet.
I am weary of promises made by operators, as I have been ripped off once before. There advert states that you get 10hrs free ICUS after completing two command flights. I think I'll just Private hire a 210 and forget the ICUS.
I am also a strong believer of not paying for a job, and not flying for free. I believe it does disadvantage everybody who is trying to start out in this industry.
BTW, I'm from Sunny Brisbane, been here all my life and its going to be hard to leave! It's worth it in the end I suppose!
Once again, thanks for all the advice guys, and if anybody else has anything they would like to add, feel free.
I am weary of promises made by operators, as I have been ripped off once before. There advert states that you get 10hrs free ICUS after completing two command flights. I think I'll just Private hire a 210 and forget the ICUS.
I am also a strong believer of not paying for a job, and not flying for free. I believe it does disadvantage everybody who is trying to start out in this industry.
BTW, I'm from Sunny Brisbane, been here all my life and its going to be hard to leave! It's worth it in the end I suppose!
Once again, thanks for all the advice guys, and if anybody else has anything they would like to add, feel free.
Seasonally Adjusted
Iamafish.
Pack all your worldly possessions into your chosen mode of transport, some things may have to stay behind, and hit the highway.
Make sure you have done your research on who is who out in the bush. Impress these operators by showing up in person and already knowing who the CP is, what A/C they fly etc.
Be prepared to step out of your 'comfort zone' for awhile. It will pay off in the long run.
Pack all your worldly possessions into your chosen mode of transport, some things may have to stay behind, and hit the highway.
Make sure you have done your research on who is who out in the bush. Impress these operators by showing up in person and already knowing who the CP is, what A/C they fly etc.
Be prepared to step out of your 'comfort zone' for awhile. It will pay off in the long run.
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Yeah, all sounds like good stuff. If you've budgeted on 10 hours 210 I'd consider breaking it up and hire an aircraft hear and there as you go. This will help you stay current and may just give you a leg in somewhere. It gets the convo going when you walk through that door as well.
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Save the money for the 10hrs, you may need it to survive on when you make the move north.Get going now or after the festive season.This will allow you to settle in,and it also gives the operators a chance to see how committed you are. The extra ten hrs should'nt make a difference.Most are at the same standard below 500hrs.I arrived in dwn with 180hrs & 2 months later a Job flying. Its all in your attitude,keep it healthy and you'll win. 
