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Old 29th May 2002, 18:51
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Question RFDS vacancies

Are any of the RFDS sections recruiting?

Also, how does one get a position at the Adelaide base?

Thank you.
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Old 30th May 2002, 05:14
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Dream the impossible dream!
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Old 30th May 2002, 05:19
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Just as a matter of interest, is it possible to join the RFDS (on the rare occasions that they do recruit) directly into one of the main bases, or is a stint required first in one of the country bases?
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Old 30th May 2002, 20:29
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Question

Elevator, with your attitude it always will be impossible.

strobes_on, I believe it is normal to do a stint at an out-station before getting a move to civilisation, however as SA has only small out-stations and Adelaide is quite a large base I was just wondering the SP there.

Any other sections recruiting now or in the future?

The NSW Air Ambulance contract should be awarded any day now, wonder who will get it?
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Old 30th May 2002, 21:35
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I can remember a time when a job at the RFDS was the primo of GA jobs. Is this till the case? How many pilots at the RFDS make a creer of it anymore?
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Old 31st May 2002, 05:31
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In response to the original question.

When I once persued RFDS as a career option, they wanted min 200 night hours, considerable twin time, and in the SA region, you would be required to work at PAG or Alice as your initial post, and then apply for an Adelaide base.

The guys in Alice flew non stop.
The Adelaide boys seem to be in semi retirement and have their feet nailed to the floor. Wouldn't you ? I mean living in Adelaide flying turboprop on a reasonably good salary (better than living in SY or ML on the same package).

They don't seem to advertise their vacancies, but I had been approached to submit a resume. Send in your details.
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Old 31st May 2002, 14:04
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Seer, send a CV and sit and wait. there may be a few vacancies coming up in central ops within 12 months or so.(if spruce keeps aquiring them!) And yes you will get sent to either Alice or Port Augusta initially, the wait for an Adelaide pos'n at the moment is about 3 years. Movement of line pilots within the section is purely based on time in service with the RFDS. However any promotion to levels above a line pilot is based on merit. There are 4 management level pilots based in Adelaide.

Spruce, the job itself is still the primo of GA, but as mentioned earlier you end up "doing time" at remote locations.

Best of luck
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Old 1st Jun 2002, 14:04
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Exclamation

Thanks Farcome and Nacowlah. Does the RFDS rate guys with multi crew turbine time, or do they want all single crew time? As a long term prospect surely they would consider someone with loads of experience?

Any news on the NSW ambo contract?
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Old 1st Jun 2002, 15:42
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howdy all,

i still believe rfds is the primo of the ga gigs, but you have to do a fair stint in a outbase in the bush, again for some, and i heard from one of them that with allowances inlcuded, you are(only?) looking at around thee 55g's mark?

I would av thought for the min qaul's they ask for when you have them, that it may be a choice of a career with them or a major or large regional, which is a personal question of what you want in life and flying career, but what i guess im blathering about is, for that kind of mins quals/pay, are the benfits worth it?
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Old 1st Jun 2002, 22:38
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I always had a preference to be out in the bush anyway and back when I was getting a pilot licence at JT I used to watch the RFDS pilots come and go at all hours in the PA31's. There were still plenty of stories around about the challenging nature of the work. Just curious if any RFDS pilots here had any stories to relay about what a days work is like these days seeing as the equipment is just about all turbine and somewhat high performance. How hairy does it get flying for the RFDS in 2002?
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Old 2nd Jun 2002, 04:43
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Spruce,

Though not RFDS, NTAMS is very similar work. In my 18 months I don't think I got any more or less hairy.
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Old 2nd Jun 2002, 06:24
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Never seen your hairs Clarrie.....
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Old 2nd Jun 2002, 10:17
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RFDS

Itsa

I don't know what your problem is, the organisation might have had its ups and downs, but I think it's universally accepted that the pilots do a fantastic job very professionally and often in very difficult conditions.

Last edited by Woomera; 2nd Jun 2002 at 15:15.
 
Old 2nd Jun 2002, 11:30
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Oh..... thats a classic maaate. :o
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Old 2nd Jun 2002, 11:44
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itsa_me? itsa_plonker, more like.

Ignore the dill, hopefully he will go away.

On a HELPFUL note (ahem), don't just look at the raw salary for RFDS work. Being a "benevolent institution" the ATO allows RFDS pilots to salary package a lot of stuff that you must pay tax on in other jobs. For example -- you can pay your mortgage in pre-tax dollars. If you get good advice, that can be equivalent to another $10k-$15k per year.

And no, I don't work and have not worked for RFDS.
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Old 3rd Jun 2002, 06:37
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(i) If drinking coffee (laced only with milk and water)qualifies - so be it.
(ii) Itsa true RFDS pilots do a wonderful and essential job and deserve a medal at times.
(iii)Five of my friends are RFDS pilots
(iv) I have never worked for the RFDS.

One very general comment (vs the previous) :- The more our industry gets "top heavy" - both within and with 'other organisations' - for various reasons we don't like - the less opportunity exists for us - the revenue producing professional pilot.

I trust the above is a more respectable observation.
 
Old 3rd Jun 2002, 10:09
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RFDS Recruitment

Hi Seer
Worked for the RFDS for just over 3 years.

No i would not work for the section i was employed by again.

RFDS has management skills based on 1920's rhetoric and treatment of employees is disgraceful to say the least.

Great proffesionals doing a difficult job 24hrs a day for very little reward.In my case and quite a few lied to during there interview process and most displeased and glad to be gone.

I'm sure ther is a decent RFDS section to work for but mine was not.

At most sections outposting is required.Melbourne the exception which is air ambulance work(contract).

If it wasn't fo rthe management it would be an excellent job(except the bloody nightshift).

Ram
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Old 3rd Jun 2002, 10:42
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Old 3rd Jun 2002, 11:16
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rfds

All companies can have management problems, but i can only say good things regarding the rfds, I have been there for a while and have no problems, the work is exciting and you get to meet a wide spectrum of people.
The aircraft are well maintained and kept to a high standard.
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Old 3rd Jun 2002, 11:16
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Ramjager

Your right in what you say. However, what job is perfect? Seems to me that everyone has something to complain about no matter what they do or who they work for. Its how you handle it that makes the difference of a professional. I think you made the right choice and moved on.

Or did they make it for you?
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