royal doctors flying service in australia
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royal doctors flying service in australia
hello to anyone in Australia. i am very interested in flying for the Royal Doctors Flying Service....but know NOTHING about them. I did airmed work in the usa and its fun. what's the schedule, pay, and life like flying for the Royal Doc's?
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playboyfree
Before this thread turns into a wind up - may I suggest you do a little homework first? Answers to the questions you ask would probably fill a paper back novel!
And .... ahhh .... I doubt the RFDS is that desperate for crews just yet that they would sponsor your Visa and pay you travel and relocation costs!!!
Woomera
Before this thread turns into a wind up - may I suggest you do a little homework first? Answers to the questions you ask would probably fill a paper back novel!
And .... ahhh .... I doubt the RFDS is that desperate for crews just yet that they would sponsor your Visa and pay you travel and relocation costs!!!
Woomera
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thanks...i know about the job as is published on the royal docs website. i know all about the bases, job qualification requirements, etc. i appreciate the fact that jobs are scarce in australia and that its a privelege to fly for the royal docs, and all that. but before i abandon 6 years of seniority and spend thousands of dollars on immigration fees and license conversion and moving etc..all i want to know, from an employees point of view..what does the job pay? no one will say and i don't understand that . what's the big secret? i would be happy to give the real deal scoop on my job to anyone who asks
Seasonally Adjusted
Playboy, here is the link to the WA site.
http://www.rfds.info/
Appears to be a steady stream of pilots into and out of the Meekatharra base.
Why you ask?...go check out Meekatharra.
http://www.rfds.info/
Appears to be a steady stream of pilots into and out of the Meekatharra base.
Why you ask?...go check out Meekatharra.
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Hello Towering Q.
The site you have referenced is actually the URL to a temporary West Ops clinical staff web site. The decidedly poor WESTOPS web site is actually at www.rfdswestops.com.au although there is very little information so is not worth visiting.
Visit http://www.flyingdoctor.net and http://www.flyingdoctorqueensland.net for slightly more comprehensive information.
Hey Q. You from Westops? We're stealing at least 3 of your pilots in the next 12 weeks so EXPECT MORE MOVEMENT. One spot will come from Jandakot but I expect some of the remote bases will bid for that??
The site you have referenced is actually the URL to a temporary West Ops clinical staff web site. The decidedly poor WESTOPS web site is actually at www.rfdswestops.com.au although there is very little information so is not worth visiting.
Visit http://www.flyingdoctor.net and http://www.flyingdoctorqueensland.net for slightly more comprehensive information.
Hey Q. You from Westops? We're stealing at least 3 of your pilots in the next 12 weeks so EXPECT MORE MOVEMENT. One spot will come from Jandakot but I expect some of the remote bases will bid for that??
There is a steady exodus of pilots out of the west - for a number of reasons.
The pilots that meet the criteria for employment there are thin on the ground...it might be worth firing an email to the CP over in the western section to see.
You might not got your relocation paid for but they might (might!) be interested in sponsoring you for your visa provided you spend a few years in Meeka....
CS
The pilots that meet the criteria for employment there are thin on the ground...it might be worth firing an email to the CP over in the western section to see.
You might not got your relocation paid for but they might (might!) be interested in sponsoring you for your visa provided you spend a few years in Meeka....
CS
Seasonally Adjusted
Blamping, my stuff up, I meant that second site you mentioned. I have to agree with you though, none are particularly useful.
And no, I'm not from West Ops, not even from the RFDS but that 'EXPECT MORE MOVEMENT' sounds good.
And no, I'm not from West Ops, not even from the RFDS but that 'EXPECT MORE MOVEMENT' sounds good.
In response to your question about pay and conditions, i'm only familiar with Western Section, and although the new EBA is still in negotiation, for a first year B200/PC12 Captain your looking at $52000, rising in annually. Add to this a 2000l fuel card and a house and its not a bad deal. Chances are you'll start off in one of the remote bases, most likely Meekatharra due its high exodus rate. However on the off chance you might end up in Derby or Port Hedland.
Schedule wise, a day shift is on call 6am-6pm, with your duty time only starting once you have been tasked for a job. Not unusual to get home from a day shift at 8pm-12am. Night shift is obviously 6pm-6am, and conversely you can knock off anywhere between 2am-10am.
Typically you get 2 weekends off per month, with usual 8 duty free periods monthly. Night shifts are at a rate of about 6-8 per month.
No clinic work in Westops, all on call.
Hope this helps.
Taggert
Schedule wise, a day shift is on call 6am-6pm, with your duty time only starting once you have been tasked for a job. Not unusual to get home from a day shift at 8pm-12am. Night shift is obviously 6pm-6am, and conversely you can knock off anywhere between 2am-10am.
Typically you get 2 weekends off per month, with usual 8 duty free periods monthly. Night shifts are at a rate of about 6-8 per month.
No clinic work in Westops, all on call.
Hope this helps.
Taggert
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playboyfree
As a first step I would suggest you contact the immigration department of your nearest Australian Embassy/High Commission and establish your residence and work rights in Australia, I think you will find that the occupation of pilot is still very much on the "Definitely Not Required" list. Still a lot of unemployed Australian pilots here, if you have immediate family here it would make a difference, possibly.
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Blue Eagle has a very good point, especially considering to get a permanent work visa for aus without relatives here I am pretty sure you have to be sponsered by a company here and they have to justify that the skills you bring to their company are such that they cant be found by hiring from within the country.
First hard part would be convincing the RFDS that they should sponsor you considering they have a flood of pilots knocking on their door.
The second hard part would be the RFDS convincing immigration that all those pilots knocking on the door cant provide the same skills as you.
If you can figure your way around the immigration issue though I think you may find a career here rewarding. The flying in aus is much more challenging with a large portion of the country being considered a designated remote area, few navaids and often very few ground references to navigate off. If you can get your visa you should go for it instead of spending the rest of your life wondering what if. If you dont like it you can always go back home and know you tried.
Zepth
First hard part would be convincing the RFDS that they should sponsor you considering they have a flood of pilots knocking on their door.
The second hard part would be the RFDS convincing immigration that all those pilots knocking on the door cant provide the same skills as you.
If you can figure your way around the immigration issue though I think you may find a career here rewarding. The flying in aus is much more challenging with a large portion of the country being considered a designated remote area, few navaids and often very few ground references to navigate off. If you can get your visa you should go for it instead of spending the rest of your life wondering what if. If you dont like it you can always go back home and know you tried.
Zepth
I see what your saying regarding immigration, however backing up what compressor stall is saying, they have sponsored a number of people in the past in other areas of the organisation.
Yes many pilots in Australia, and doctors and nurses, but to get the right combination of skills and experience is difficult. Its not an entry level job.
The number of people who would have all the qualifications and experience to walk into the job are few and far between, I would not want someone with a bare CPL/MECIR taking me out of a flare lit unpaved bush strip in the middle of the night to a foggy arrival at a larger city airport.
As compressor stall suggested, they could also show that remote bases do have a high turnover, and contracting a person to that base maybe one solution, thats what QLD health does to its overseas doctors to get coverage.
Yes many pilots in Australia, and doctors and nurses, but to get the right combination of skills and experience is difficult. Its not an entry level job.
The number of people who would have all the qualifications and experience to walk into the job are few and far between, I would not want someone with a bare CPL/MECIR taking me out of a flare lit unpaved bush strip in the middle of the night to a foggy arrival at a larger city airport.
As compressor stall suggested, they could also show that remote bases do have a high turnover, and contracting a person to that base maybe one solution, thats what QLD health does to its overseas doctors to get coverage.
A couple of points re above:
Zepthiir
A last report, there is not a flood, and those who do apply are often without the required expereince. They are having a lot of trouble now finding guys with the combination of bush time and 200 night hours in remote areas.
The last point they are extremely strict on - and rightly so as it's probably the most high risk GA operation in oz.
Blue Eagle Wasn't a pilot ON the professional immigration list about a year ago? I seem to remember it being discussed in here.
In any case, if it's on the list or not, then it's still possible if your employer makes a case that the skills are not available here - which is entirley probable with the situation described above.
Zepthiir
First hard part would be convincing the RFDS that they should sponsor you considering they have a flood of pilots knocking on their door.
The last point they are extremely strict on - and rightly so as it's probably the most high risk GA operation in oz.
Blue Eagle Wasn't a pilot ON the professional immigration list about a year ago? I seem to remember it being discussed in here.
In any case, if it's on the list or not, then it's still possible if your employer makes a case that the skills are not available here - which is entirley probable with the situation described above.
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Comp. Stall
You may be right but I think, about a year ago, immigration were asked to move pilots OFF the desired list as there were about 14,000 Australian licensed, Australian pilots of varied experience, not working in Australian aviation.
Best advice so far , try it and see how far you get playboyfree,.
Best advice so far , try it and see how far you get playboyfree,.
BlueEagle,
I have seen the 14000 number on this CASA link that says ...
However they also say on this page ...
2004 Current ATPL's = 6,025 Current CPL's = 4,303, not all of them are unemployed ...
I do beleive not a lot of people are prepared to live on 25-30k award wage for a bare CPL holder.
I have seen the 14000 number on this CASA link that says ...
Employment in Australia
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority does not control the employment of flight crew in the Australian aviation industry; neither does it maintain details of available vacancies or aviation employment trends.
Persons intending to fly in a commercial operation or work in Australia will need to have the right to work in Australia (resident or appropriate visa) and should make their own inquiries about employment opportunities. Immigration requirements can be found on the Department of Immigration website.
NOTE: In Australia there are currently more than 14,000 licensed Commercial and ATPL pilots who are not employed as pilots. Due to lack of suitable employment opportunities these pilots do not maintain their licences or medicals and many have pursued other opportunities.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority does not control the employment of flight crew in the Australian aviation industry; neither does it maintain details of available vacancies or aviation employment trends.
Persons intending to fly in a commercial operation or work in Australia will need to have the right to work in Australia (resident or appropriate visa) and should make their own inquiries about employment opportunities. Immigration requirements can be found on the Department of Immigration website.
NOTE: In Australia there are currently more than 14,000 licensed Commercial and ATPL pilots who are not employed as pilots. Due to lack of suitable employment opportunities these pilots do not maintain their licences or medicals and many have pursued other opportunities.
2004 Current ATPL's = 6,025 Current CPL's = 4,303, not all of them are unemployed ...
I do beleive not a lot of people are prepared to live on 25-30k award wage for a bare CPL holder.
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It is true that pilots are not on the Migration Occupations in demand List these days. Go here for the curent list.
However, pilots are still on the Skilled Occupation List which can be found here
In a nutshell this means an overseas pilot with the relevant skills and able to meet the points test will be able to apply for skilled migration (unsponsored) into Australia.
Whether they will get a flying job when they get here is another matter.
However, pilots are still on the Skilled Occupation List which can be found here
In a nutshell this means an overseas pilot with the relevant skills and able to meet the points test will be able to apply for skilled migration (unsponsored) into Australia.
Whether they will get a flying job when they get here is another matter.
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Compressorstall is right on when he says that the RFDS is probably the most high risk GA operation in Australia.
That is why the aircraft are crewed with only one pilot. Saves lives!
On the other hand the RDFS would be a less high risk operation if it used two pilots - especially at night. You have to ask why many mining companies and corporations insist on a two pilot operation. Safety reasons? Insurance premiums?
The Mount Gambier RFDS Kingair accident would probably not have happened if the aircraft had been crewed by two pilots.
That is why the aircraft are crewed with only one pilot. Saves lives!
On the other hand the RDFS would be a less high risk operation if it used two pilots - especially at night. You have to ask why many mining companies and corporations insist on a two pilot operation. Safety reasons? Insurance premiums?
The Mount Gambier RFDS Kingair accident would probably not have happened if the aircraft had been crewed by two pilots.
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A37575
If the charter companies or corporations you mention embraced the same safety ethic and minimum employment requirements that the RFDS have adopted, and demonstrated, then perhaps the insurance companies and the mining companies would not insist on two pilots in single crew aircraft.
The fact that you may fly to a horrible little strip on a dark and stormy night does not mean that it is not done safely with all the risks considered.
If the charter companies or corporations you mention embraced the same safety ethic and minimum employment requirements that the RFDS have adopted, and demonstrated, then perhaps the insurance companies and the mining companies would not insist on two pilots in single crew aircraft.
The fact that you may fly to a horrible little strip on a dark and stormy night does not mean that it is not done safely with all the risks considered.