Merged: The REX Cadet Scheme
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 214
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From: Australia
But wait, there's more flaws to this! How will Rex provide ab initio training? It's not like someone can go first solo in a Saab! 
Whaet, if you think that having plenty of time off will be given as an F/O then think again. Why do you think Rex are incorporating a cadet pilot scheme? Because they're SHORT of pilots!! You will be given the time off as per CAO 48.1, and after having worked for say a 10 hour tour of duty do you think you'll be in a frame of mind to study for your ATPLs? It's incredibly hard let me assure you of that.
As for bases, apart from Sydney, that are major cities, there's Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
Whaet, if you think that having plenty of time off will be given as an F/O then think again. Why do you think Rex are incorporating a cadet pilot scheme? Because they're SHORT of pilots!! You will be given the time off as per CAO 48.1, and after having worked for say a 10 hour tour of duty do you think you'll be in a frame of mind to study for your ATPLs? It's incredibly hard let me assure you of that.
As for bases, apart from Sydney, that are major cities, there's Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 11
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From: nowhere
Confused
Sorry if I have this wrong but I have looked it up and thought that you had to pay upfront to do the Qantas cadet program??? If so then how can it possibly be compared with the REX one, they loan you the money first and then you pay them back while working for them and getting experience and hours at the same time.
I put in an expression of interest this morning via the online application for Rex, there is no way in the world I could possibly afford to do the Qantas cadetship but the REX one offeres a different way. I already have my PPL so I guess if accepted wouldn't need as much money from REX (Good Thing!!) and hopefully that means I would be indebted to them for less time?! If that's the case what do people think... would this cadetship be worth it's while for me or should I just go back to the drawing board and keep working towards a commercial slowly because I can't afford to do it faster and hopefully in a year or two finally finish my CPL??
I put in an expression of interest this morning via the online application for Rex, there is no way in the world I could possibly afford to do the Qantas cadetship but the REX one offeres a different way. I already have my PPL so I guess if accepted wouldn't need as much money from REX (Good Thing!!) and hopefully that means I would be indebted to them for less time?! If that's the case what do people think... would this cadetship be worth it's while for me or should I just go back to the drawing board and keep working towards a commercial slowly because I can't afford to do it faster and hopefully in a year or two finally finish my CPL??
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,609
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From: Asia
Ell85
How do you think most of the Qantas cadets pay for their cadet training? They either get the money from their parents and/or they borrow the money which is exactly what Rex is proposing.
Personally I wouldn’t waste my time on a cadetship with a regional. You’ll end up borrowing and forking out roughly the same amount for the training but will end up on 1/3rd the money. Remember you will have to pay the money back and to try and do it on such a small wage will leave you struggling for some time.
If you can’t afford a cadetship which, crunching the numbers most couldn’t on a regional F/O’s wage, then either try the Qantas cadet scheme or work and pay for you CPL over a period of time.
How do you think most of the Qantas cadets pay for their cadet training? They either get the money from their parents and/or they borrow the money which is exactly what Rex is proposing.
Personally I wouldn’t waste my time on a cadetship with a regional. You’ll end up borrowing and forking out roughly the same amount for the training but will end up on 1/3rd the money. Remember you will have to pay the money back and to try and do it on such a small wage will leave you struggling for some time.
If you can’t afford a cadetship which, crunching the numbers most couldn’t on a regional F/O’s wage, then either try the Qantas cadet scheme or work and pay for you CPL over a period of time.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 144
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From: Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Any thoughts on how there going to approach the training side of it? Will the student nominate a training facility or will there be various training facilities that REX nominate.
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 65
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From: Planet Earth
Any thoughts on how there going to approach the training side of it? Will the student nominate a training facility or will there be various training facilities that REX nominate
Please email any questions/queries to [email protected]
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 65
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From: Australia
Have to agree with the Kav.....if Rex management had any intestinal fortitude they would improve T & C's with the experienced drivers they already have !
The Rex cadets will be pushing !!!!! uphill trying to survive on reduced regional airline F/O salary in a capital city
As Titan points out, the cadets will have a big $ outlay for a relatively small return in terms of salary and equipment they will operate.
If I were a cadet in the current environment, I would be crunching some serious numbers and be thinking very very carefully about where I was investing my money.
The Rex cadets will be pushing !!!!! uphill trying to survive on reduced regional airline F/O salary in a capital city
As Titan points out, the cadets will have a big $ outlay for a relatively small return in terms of salary and equipment they will operate.
If I were a cadet in the current environment, I would be crunching some serious numbers and be thinking very very carefully about where I was investing my money.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 49
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From: Australia.
Hi Guys,
I Don't often post so apologies if I am a new-breed.
I see a lot of mention re an FO's wage. One commented 30k... Does anyone have a much more accurate idea of what these F/O's would be getting paid? or are we looking at about 30k pa gross?
Naturally, SFA wont tell us this, thus as mentioned, could get you in trouble come time you are employed as line f/o.
Cheers,
Steve.
I Don't often post so apologies if I am a new-breed.
I see a lot of mention re an FO's wage. One commented 30k... Does anyone have a much more accurate idea of what these F/O's would be getting paid? or are we looking at about 30k pa gross?
Naturally, SFA wont tell us this, thus as mentioned, could get you in trouble come time you are employed as line f/o.
Cheers,
Steve.
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 156
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From: The Dark Side
Just wondering if anyone has had a reply from emailing the cadet application form? Seem to remember reading that there plan was to have it running by december? My guess is they have had 1'000 of emails.
I think if a flight school had been tasked with training the cadets it would have been leaked by now? Also heard Rex maybe planning to start there own flight school!!!! That would be a interesting!!!
TOJP.
I think if a flight school had been tasked with training the cadets it would have been leaked by now? Also heard Rex maybe planning to start there own flight school!!!! That would be a interesting!!!
TOJP.
AustralianMade
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 917
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From: Out in the weather!
If they do start their own school I hope it is Wagga, too expensive to live and study in Sydney.
I can never understand why Rex says training costs $80K plus, when I can get a good quality PPL/CPL/MECIR here in Albury for $40K!?!
Aircraft are the same too - C172, Traumahawk, Twin Comanche, Seneca etc...
Perhaps the extra $40K is spent on kick backs etc.?
I can never understand why Rex says training costs $80K plus, when I can get a good quality PPL/CPL/MECIR here in Albury for $40K!?!
Aircraft are the same too - C172, Traumahawk, Twin Comanche, Seneca etc...
Perhaps the extra $40K is spent on kick backs etc.?
AustralianMade
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Out in the weather!
DirectAnywhere,
Straight from their website ... all details here.
I do beg to differ mate, however time will tell.
Diploma in Aviation - Australian Commercial Pilot License with multi- engine command instrument rating. Course duration: 52 weeks. Fees: $41,100
Straight from their website ... all details here.
I do beg to differ mate, however time will tell.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,609
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From: Asia
ABX
Mate, I’ve been in this game for 22 years and I can tell you that you “can not” obtain a CPL and MECIR for $41,000.00. I use to be a CFI and I know how these flying schools suck people in. They will almost always quote a price on the minimum hours required to make it look affordable. The reality is in most cases you can double the hours and the price as there are very few people that can do it in the minimum time. If you are gifted, good for you. Unfortunately most aren’t.
Mate, I’ve been in this game for 22 years and I can tell you that you “can not” obtain a CPL and MECIR for $41,000.00. I use to be a CFI and I know how these flying schools suck people in. They will almost always quote a price on the minimum hours required to make it look affordable. The reality is in most cases you can double the hours and the price as there are very few people that can do it in the minimum time. If you are gifted, good for you. Unfortunately most aren’t.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 187
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From: lapbandland
Boys and Girls
Do not pay anything up front.
Search Pprune for Tamair, they had a similar scam.
You may lose your money, if Rex goes bust.
Let them bond you for whatever time they want
if you get a better gig, pay the bond or split.
There are no operators that will ultimately look
out for YOU, don't pay upfront.
Market forces will prevail, its called sponsorship,
when airlines need you more than you need them.
Do not pay anything up front.
Search Pprune for Tamair, they had a similar scam.
You may lose your money, if Rex goes bust.
Let them bond you for whatever time they want
if you get a better gig, pay the bond or split.
There are no operators that will ultimately look
out for YOU, don't pay upfront.
Market forces will prevail, its called sponsorship,
when airlines need you more than you need them.
AustralianMade
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Out in the weather!
404,
You are right mate, Air Centre state that the price quoted was for minimum hours and that all extra hours required are charged at the applicable rate ($175/hr or so).
However I searched information from near and far, had several interviews at different schools in Melbourne and found, for example, that the school that the Qantas cadets go to wanted to charge me over $80K for the minimum hours and all extra hours charged at well over $200/hr.
I have a sling file full of brochures, print outs and notes to back me up.
You are right mate, Air Centre state that the price quoted was for minimum hours and that all extra hours required are charged at the applicable rate ($175/hr or so).
However I searched information from near and far, had several interviews at different schools in Melbourne and found, for example, that the school that the Qantas cadets go to wanted to charge me over $80K for the minimum hours and all extra hours charged at well over $200/hr.
I have a sling file full of brochures, print outs and notes to back me up.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 481
Likes: 58
From: USA
ABX, I think you'll find with the school in melbourne that trains Qantas Cadets that they are expensive, there's no doubt. But at least they are being realistic and their syllabus is more or less what you will actually need (flying hours wise) to get through. Plus you are flying brand new machines and not clapped out old things with a bunch of stuff working half the time. You can probably find a training school 'in the middle' of the two, but once again, at least they are being upfront about what they will charge you.
Also, don't forget all the 'hidden costs', eg Theory Books, Headseats, Uniforms, maps/charts etc etc are they all/any included in the 80k package or not...
Just some food for thought.
**I'm a blender pilot with no vested interest..
Also, don't forget all the 'hidden costs', eg Theory Books, Headseats, Uniforms, maps/charts etc etc are they all/any included in the 80k package or not...
Just some food for thought.
**I'm a blender pilot with no vested interest..
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: On the equator
If they do, then my guess is that they''ll be training you for the MPL. The MPL will mean you're pretty much locked in with them as it's type-rating specific and plus, you won't have too many options to jump ship with an MPL, compared with having a CPL.
AustralianMade
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Out in the weather!
G'day Havick,
Thanks for the post.
I talked to a couple of graduates from the that school, neither of them got through on minimum hours, one spent $110K (& feels very ripped off) when he graduated he was told that he was among the top of his class and offered a job - on $19K/p.a.!
It wasn't all bad though, during the course his uniforms were supplied, texts, headsets etc., had to be paid for as an extra cost.
BTW, they were not the only expensive school down south, another tried to sell me a 'cadet ship' in which the cost of employing me after the course was tacked onto the course cost! One option was a 'cadet ship' of 20 hours ICUS upon graduation. Now that would be a fat lot of use to a broke student pilot!
So far those who have replied - and a sincere thanks for your reply - have done little to change my mind, it seems that the options are:
a) Go to an expensive MEL school and pay heaps without a guarantee of qualifying in minimum hours.
b) Go to a more reasonable local school without a guarantee of qualifying in minimum hours!
Like I said, I have a bulging sling file full of brochures, print outs and notes.
Cheers.
**My only vested interest is in getting myself the best value for money I can possibly get, I have no undisclosed associations.
Thanks for the post.
I think you'll find with the school in melbourne that trains Qantas Cadets that they are expensive, there's no doubt.
It wasn't all bad though, during the course his uniforms were supplied, texts, headsets etc., had to be paid for as an extra cost.
BTW, they were not the only expensive school down south, another tried to sell me a 'cadet ship' in which the cost of employing me after the course was tacked onto the course cost!
One option was a 'cadet ship' of 20 hours ICUS upon graduation. Now that would be a fat lot of use to a broke student pilot!So far those who have replied - and a sincere thanks for your reply - have done little to change my mind, it seems that the options are:
a) Go to an expensive MEL school and pay heaps without a guarantee of qualifying in minimum hours.
b) Go to a more reasonable local school without a guarantee of qualifying in minimum hours!
Like I said, I have a bulging sling file full of brochures, print outs and notes.
Cheers.
**My only vested interest is in getting myself the best value for money I can possibly get, I have no undisclosed associations.
AustralianMade
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Out in the weather!
Hi training wheels,
Mate that is a really good point.
The MPL will mean you're pretty much locked in with them as it's type-rating specific and plus, you won't have too many options to jump ship with an MPL, compared with having a CPL.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane
MPL.......
I would make my bets that it would not be an MPL course as this course is mainly designed around jet multi-crew. It would be a waste of money and it takes about 18 months to complete at the moment. They have the ability to train Cpl level and type rating and this will suite them alot better. Otherwise how are they going to get captains? DE ?
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 214
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From: Australia
MCKES,
How do they have the ability to teach CPL? Who is their training provider? They say that they will go through the Rex name. But who will teach them? Where will they get the instructors from? What airport will they be at? How will they accommodate all the students? What aircraft will they use? Surely not a Saab for a first solo flight.
How do they have the ability to teach CPL? Who is their training provider? They say that they will go through the Rex name. But who will teach them? Where will they get the instructors from? What airport will they be at? How will they accommodate all the students? What aircraft will they use? Surely not a Saab for a first solo flight.