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First job - Australia

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Old 10th Dec 2006, 08:55
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Exclamation First job - Australia

Hi everyone,


First of all, this is my 1st post so apologies if anything wrong with it! Also I know there is another thread in this forum about a job in Australia however I was wondering whether people might be able to give specific details about jobs for first time low hour pilots. I currently live in Brisbane after completing my MECIR on the Duchess with 250 hrs.

I have already sent out resumes to all companies in the Australian Business Directory and followed up with phone calls but to no avail, either because they are currently not employing or because I do not have enough experience.

My next step will probably to buy a car and start traveling around Australia and visiting all the aviation companies along the way asking for work.

If anyone has any information at all; ANY – perhaps the places where low hour pilots might be able to find jobs, how to go about driving around AUS looking for a job, some of your own experiences that you found in trying to get that elusive 1st job or anything at all that might be able to help in some way or another, I would very much appreciate it! (even where to buy a good, not too expensive 2nd hand car that will get me round Australia!)

Thanks everyone, its much appreciated
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Old 10th Dec 2006, 11:37
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Yeah I want to see if I can get a job with the Multi engine instrument rating. I haven't really thought about instructing and i've already got a 70K loan to pay off what flying I have completed so far.
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Old 11th Dec 2006, 00:08
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Hey A330 and CP_Adi for the replies.

Do you know where most likely cattle mustering is to be found, like far north Queensland or the NT?

Im sorta prepared to take any job offered.
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Old 11th Dec 2006, 00:51
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Skimmer,
Starting a career as a pilot in Aus is so so difficult, I don't envy you. Do you knock on as many doors as poss? Stay in one place and keep banging the door until they let you in? Get a proper job and save up to do an instructor rating? All difficult decisions for you, but for what it's worth here's a bit of advise from me;
First, it would be very unusual for someone to offer a 250hr pilot a twin command. So, it's more likely your first job will be single engien (C210 ect)somewhere remote (outback QLD, Top End, NW WA) in a small community, on a station, scenic flights etc.
The distances are huge so make sure there is going to be someone to talk to when you've driven 1000km to meet the CP, who then turns out to have been called out somewhere else for a week. Keep calling ahead and glean as much info off the person who picks up the phone as poss.
There is useful info on pprune, so do a search.
Move your post to the D&G forum.
There are a few large companies that own a portfolio of stations. I forget their names, Stanworth is one I think. Find out more about them and call them.
In my experience, most flying jobs come from someone you know mentioning your name and putting your cv under the name of the right person, so get networking. Otherwise, try to get work within aviation somewhere, preferably on the ground at the company you want to work. Many of our pilots started here as ground handlers, working in ops, writing manuals (QA) etc.
Hope that helps.
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Old 11th Dec 2006, 03:30
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Skimmer, there are plenty of jobs to be had if you are willing to go out and get them. Don't be put off by the response you've had so far. Alot of operators will wanna see your face before they give you the time of day. Basically the whole oz industry is about 'right place, right time'.
But trust me, right attitude, perserverance and you'll get that coveted first job.
I trust you've thought about skydiving and the like, check out the scenic operators up and down the QLD coast before you head off.
Failing that head to YKNX in Jan!!
Do as Sally says and go check out the D&G forum, though definitely do a search on this subject before you post it's been covered many MANY times before.
Good luck and keep knocking on those doors.
Dave
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Old 11th Dec 2006, 10:09
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Thanks everyone for the replies. I havent really tried to apply to any skydiving companies as i have been told you need about 500hrs for most of them, but I might be wrong?

Also i have the Aviation Business Directory but i was wondering whether someone might have any idea where I might be able to find a different list of employers, it seems that the Aviation business directory only have businesses if they have applied to be put in.
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Old 12th Dec 2006, 13:51
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kununurra

MY best advice is to go to kununurra in WA (8 hrs west of darwin)they hire low hour guys but u might have to stick around for up to six months until u get in.best time to get there is early feb.slingair an aligator airways biggest companies there they fly 210etc,dont bother sending a cv they wont reply! you have to turn up on the doorstep.
good luck
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Old 13th Dec 2006, 14:02
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You'd probably have more luck selling pork pies and arranging Bar Mitzvahs in Iraq than getting a job in Oz, but best of luck to you mate.
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Old 14th Dec 2006, 05:36
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Okay, does anyone know if it is better to go around to all the flying companies and ask for work and if they dont have any at te time, then move onto the next place or to base yourself at ONE place and just keep asking and perhaps work in the hangar, wash planes ect. until they give you a job?



Thanks for the replies
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Old 16th Dec 2006, 21:11
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As others have already said you have to be in place to get these jobs. Applying by post, phone etc just isn't going to work.

You've got the right idea about driving around looking for work, just be prepared for it to take a while.

The other option already mentioned is instructing. Don't discount it. Worked for me.
 
Old 20th Dec 2006, 10:19
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There is a list of air operators on the casa web site if that helps..
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