Job prospects in NZ???
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Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: ex EGNM, now NZRO
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Job prospects in NZ???
I am on a career change roll (wife permitting!) Intending to do this
In the end I'll have CPL, IR, Multi, 230hr TT and a frozen ATPL, but, wait for it, will have hit the grand old age of 42.
Realistically will anyone employ an old codger like me; would prefer not to live out my day shipping the NZ Herald to Gisborne at 04.30, but would be happy RHS in a Saab 340 or similar
(NB did try to contact Air NZ, Origing Pacific, etc, but no reply!)
In the end I'll have CPL, IR, Multi, 230hr TT and a frozen ATPL, but, wait for it, will have hit the grand old age of 42.
Realistically will anyone employ an old codger like me; would prefer not to live out my day shipping the NZ Herald to Gisborne at 04.30, but would be happy RHS in a Saab 340 or similar
(NB did try to contact Air NZ, Origing Pacific, etc, but no reply!)
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Australasia
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Depends how long you (and your family) can handle the slog upward really. The commuters and regionals in NZ have taken guys your age and lots of Saab drivers are in that age group anyway.
However they won't look at you until you've got aroun 1000-1500 hours and some Multi Engine time. So you'll have to get that somewhere else first, probably on little or no pay for 2 years ish.
By the way many Aero Club and flying school instructors would give allot for a twin engine job flying newspapers on the east coast at 0430! Quite a few have the 1000 hours single engine and just need a job like that for 6 months to move up.
Good luck with your decision!
However they won't look at you until you've got aroun 1000-1500 hours and some Multi Engine time. So you'll have to get that somewhere else first, probably on little or no pay for 2 years ish.
By the way many Aero Club and flying school instructors would give allot for a twin engine job flying newspapers on the east coast at 0430! Quite a few have the 1000 hours single engine and just need a job like that for 6 months to move up.
Good luck with your decision!
Join Date: May 2001
Location: NZ
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Well I say good on you if you go for it. It's an addictive hobby which could put you into some financial positions that you won't be used to.
However if I could offer some advice it would be this:
being a late starter as you will be, I would look to Companies that offer flight training but who also undertake commercial operations. You'll have a much better chance of employment after training if they know you and your strengths than the fresh CPL cold calling looking for work.
There's no doubt you will have to serve your time in GA (unless your father-in-law or any other family member owns a large scheduled service operation), so look around. I take it you are in Auckland if you are looking at the WIT/ Flight 2000 diploma. I am a staunch believer in getting out of the Auckland aviation scene unless you are already working in a ATO company.
I have posted before my thoughts on the "Pilot trap" that Ardmore and North Shore present. I'll go as far as to say that 90% of the CPL's trained at these airfields will spend a minimum 3-4 years post-CPL instructing, surviving on $10-20/hr flight pay
I would suggest that you look very hard at how you can accelerate yourself through your hours so that you will be an attractive employment prospect to B1900D, J41, SAAB 340 operators.
Just my thoughts
Cheers and good luck
S2K
However if I could offer some advice it would be this:
being a late starter as you will be, I would look to Companies that offer flight training but who also undertake commercial operations. You'll have a much better chance of employment after training if they know you and your strengths than the fresh CPL cold calling looking for work.
There's no doubt you will have to serve your time in GA (unless your father-in-law or any other family member owns a large scheduled service operation), so look around. I take it you are in Auckland if you are looking at the WIT/ Flight 2000 diploma. I am a staunch believer in getting out of the Auckland aviation scene unless you are already working in a ATO company.
I have posted before my thoughts on the "Pilot trap" that Ardmore and North Shore present. I'll go as far as to say that 90% of the CPL's trained at these airfields will spend a minimum 3-4 years post-CPL instructing, surviving on $10-20/hr flight pay
I would suggest that you look very hard at how you can accelerate yourself through your hours so that you will be an attractive employment prospect to B1900D, J41, SAAB 340 operators.
Just my thoughts
Cheers and good luck
S2K
Join Date: Oct 2001
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Anti Skid
Here's my advise, "DON"T DO IT !"
Are you mad ... a career in Aviation??!! If you want to work with & fly planes .... become a loader do a PPL and fly in your time off. Loaders work less & get paid more. Then you'll get to fly on nice days and go where you want to !
Good Luck !!
D
Here's my advise, "DON"T DO IT !"
Are you mad ... a career in Aviation??!! If you want to work with & fly planes .... become a loader do a PPL and fly in your time off. Loaders work less & get paid more. Then you'll get to fly on nice days and go where you want to !
Good Luck !!
D
Confectionary Transfer Technician
Join Date: May 2001
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If you love flying then there really is no decision to make, cept for all the cut backs your are going to have to make once you are out in the poorly paid world known as GA. It definately is worth it, I have yet to see anyother job with a good as view as ours 
But Listen to Sqwark, hes got some good tips there. Oh & as everyone else says, don''t work for free.
Good Luck, if you do decide to change jobs
But Listen to Sqwark, hes got some good tips there. Oh & as everyone else says, don''t work for free.
Good Luck, if you do decide to change jobs
Join Date: Sep 2000
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All i can say is be carefull of courses that offer it all and have yet to prove anything, talk to some of the people that have completed the course (don't know if any have yet as it is fairly new), just remeber ut is a long slog and I hope your wife is VERY understanding.
