Expert Aussie FI advice most appreciated
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Melbourne
Age: 38
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Expert Aussie FI advice most appreciated
G'day instructors, just had a few questions!
Context: Many years ago, the bloke who is now my husband was shattered to discover he was CVD when he got a medical. He was 16 and had done 30 hours of flying. He was told he could not be a commercial pilot, but has recently learnt that CVD is not an impediment to spending some long hard years getting his CPL and doing some cool stuff like flight instruction and working in GA (so long as it is in Aus airspace). He's a qualified plumber and hates every minute of it but he's very good teaching apprentices - he has always said his REAL dream is to teach people how to fly (once he actually learns how to do it himself of course!)
These are the questions I had for you experienced and knowledgeable folks:
1) Which state in Australia would present the best opportunities with regards to flight instruction work? We are going to WA next year for my work but we're originally from Victoria.
2) Do you think some time spent up north or elsewhere in GA is necessary to be a successful and/or competent flight instructor?
3) Where can a career in flight instruction lead to, if you're good? What are some of the best gigs going around?
4) He's 27 (he tells me this is old to start flying, given his 11 year hiatus) and as I said earlier, colour blind. Are there going to be any issues that come out of the woodwork because of these two factors, or is CASA's sweet little email as reassuring as it seems?
P.S. I'm terrified of flying, even in big jets! Don't know how you all do it.
Context: Many years ago, the bloke who is now my husband was shattered to discover he was CVD when he got a medical. He was 16 and had done 30 hours of flying. He was told he could not be a commercial pilot, but has recently learnt that CVD is not an impediment to spending some long hard years getting his CPL and doing some cool stuff like flight instruction and working in GA (so long as it is in Aus airspace). He's a qualified plumber and hates every minute of it but he's very good teaching apprentices - he has always said his REAL dream is to teach people how to fly (once he actually learns how to do it himself of course!)
These are the questions I had for you experienced and knowledgeable folks:
1) Which state in Australia would present the best opportunities with regards to flight instruction work? We are going to WA next year for my work but we're originally from Victoria.
2) Do you think some time spent up north or elsewhere in GA is necessary to be a successful and/or competent flight instructor?
3) Where can a career in flight instruction lead to, if you're good? What are some of the best gigs going around?
4) He's 27 (he tells me this is old to start flying, given his 11 year hiatus) and as I said earlier, colour blind. Are there going to be any issues that come out of the woodwork because of these two factors, or is CASA's sweet little email as reassuring as it seems?
P.S. I'm terrified of flying, even in big jets! Don't know how you all do it.
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Hi... In answer to your questions...
1) Which state in Australia would present the best opportunities with regards to flight instruction work? We are going to WA next year for my work but we're originally from Victoria.
Id probably say WA... CSWAFC and SFC... Have a high turnover of instructors..
However there are plenty of opportunities in other states.. But trying to find an instructing gig in WA... I dont imagine to be hard..
2) Do you think some time spent up north or elsewhere in GA is necessary to be a successful and/or competent flight instructor?
Definitely helps.. But not necessary
3) Where can a career in flight instruction lead to, if you're good? What are some of the best gigs going around?
Airlines, Other GA flying gigs flying bigger and better equipment..
Management level in flying schools... Testing officer.. (good money if your independent.. $600 a test)
4) He's 27 (he tells me this is old to start flying, given his 11 year hiatus) and as I said earlier, colour blind. Are there going to be any issues that come out of the woodwork because of these two factors, or is CASA's sweet little email as reassuring as it seems?
In GA... If you hold a class 1 medical.. Thats all you really need... GA jobs don't require an additional medicall, Just make the boss some money..
Colour blindness depending on how bad it is.. Shouldn't affect a CPL and GA jobs... It is however pretty big with the airlines.. I had to sit a pretty extensive Colour Blindness test for my Medical...
At 27.. Is not too old... If your only looking at a career in GA thats fine.. If your looking to get into airlines.. I'd say the upper limit is 30-35..
1) Which state in Australia would present the best opportunities with regards to flight instruction work? We are going to WA next year for my work but we're originally from Victoria.
Id probably say WA... CSWAFC and SFC... Have a high turnover of instructors..
However there are plenty of opportunities in other states.. But trying to find an instructing gig in WA... I dont imagine to be hard..
2) Do you think some time spent up north or elsewhere in GA is necessary to be a successful and/or competent flight instructor?
Definitely helps.. But not necessary
3) Where can a career in flight instruction lead to, if you're good? What are some of the best gigs going around?
Airlines, Other GA flying gigs flying bigger and better equipment..
Management level in flying schools... Testing officer.. (good money if your independent.. $600 a test)
4) He's 27 (he tells me this is old to start flying, given his 11 year hiatus) and as I said earlier, colour blind. Are there going to be any issues that come out of the woodwork because of these two factors, or is CASA's sweet little email as reassuring as it seems?
In GA... If you hold a class 1 medical.. Thats all you really need... GA jobs don't require an additional medicall, Just make the boss some money..
Colour blindness depending on how bad it is.. Shouldn't affect a CPL and GA jobs... It is however pretty big with the airlines.. I had to sit a pretty extensive Colour Blindness test for my Medical...
At 27.. Is not too old... If your only looking at a career in GA thats fine.. If your looking to get into airlines.. I'd say the upper limit is 30-35..
Last edited by dlx_xlb; 27th Dec 2011 at 07:38.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Hi. I became an instructor straight from flying school at age... 27! My age has never hindered me at all.
A career in flight instruction (assuming you stay in flight instruction) can lead to being manager or chief instructor at a large flying school in a capital city. This would typically be a desk-bound position.
Alternatively it can lead to being a flight examiner, being responsible for assessing whether young pilots have the skills to progress to the next grade of license or rating. Not desk-bound at all, this would allow your significant other to keep flying.
Either option would be well paid (similar to a turboprop captain) but perhaps not quite as secure as an airline job.
After eleven years in GA, but not in GA any more, I'm convinced that "the best gig" is the one you want to do that pays enough to raise a family. I've seen so many people whinge and moan about very good jobs just because they are bored or feel trapped. Not at all suggesting your husband would be a whinger, just reflecting on life in GA and the grass-is-greener-over-there syndrome.
A career in flight instruction (assuming you stay in flight instruction) can lead to being manager or chief instructor at a large flying school in a capital city. This would typically be a desk-bound position.
Alternatively it can lead to being a flight examiner, being responsible for assessing whether young pilots have the skills to progress to the next grade of license or rating. Not desk-bound at all, this would allow your significant other to keep flying.
Either option would be well paid (similar to a turboprop captain) but perhaps not quite as secure as an airline job.
After eleven years in GA, but not in GA any more, I'm convinced that "the best gig" is the one you want to do that pays enough to raise a family. I've seen so many people whinge and moan about very good jobs just because they are bored or feel trapped. Not at all suggesting your husband would be a whinger, just reflecting on life in GA and the grass-is-greener-over-there syndrome.
