Flying Instructor - Bankstown
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Flying Instructor - Bankstown
Hi Guys/Ladies,
I am looking at starting my flight training in Bankstown, Sydney in a not too distant future and I would greatly appreciate it if someone could recommend a good flying instructor (I don’t care which flying school they work for as I am free for suggestions).
I am looking into changing my careers and I would like to find someone who can push me to the limit and absolutely passionate about teaching. I know that usually flying instructors are young people looking to build up their hours, but I am looking for someone who is more mature, focused on the outcome and has a lot of experience. If you know someone suitable, please let me know.
Thanks in advance.
C'on guys... some help would be much appreciated!
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Wrong location
Without wishing to bag the guys there, Bankstown is not the place to find the person you describe.
Not to say there is nobody there meeting the description - simply that they move on pretty fast or they become CFI... and you're unlikely to fly with the CFI regularly, or even often, at the BK schools.
I have been instructing for about 10 years on an off and I know a few like that but they're all in the country areas.
If you want that person, you might find him at Curtis Avn in Camden, or at a number of schools inregional centers.
Good luck!
Not to say there is nobody there meeting the description - simply that they move on pretty fast or they become CFI... and you're unlikely to fly with the CFI regularly, or even often, at the BK schools.
I have been instructing for about 10 years on an off and I know a few like that but they're all in the country areas.
If you want that person, you might find him at Curtis Avn in Camden, or at a number of schools inregional centers.
Good luck!
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Never been to Bankstown, so can't comment at all.
However, I did find the guys at Curtis Aviation were great for a tailwheel endorsement (drove all the way from Adelaide to do it when we didn't have any tailwheel aircraft online for training here
). Might be a good place to look for a passionate instructor 
However, I did find the guys at Curtis Aviation were great for a tailwheel endorsement (drove all the way from Adelaide to do it when we didn't have any tailwheel aircraft online for training here
). Might be a good place to look for a passionate instructor
you may want to have a look at Schofields Flying club. They have a mix of instructors both the young hour builders and some older ones who teach for the love of flying.
D.
ps I might be biased as SFC is where I fly from, but I find everyone there helpful and willing to teach.
D.
ps I might be biased as SFC is where I fly from, but I find everyone there helpful and willing to teach.
Without wishing to bag the guys there, Bankstown is not the place to find the person you describe.
Not to say there is nobody there meeting the description - simply that they move on pretty fast or they become CFI... and you're unlikely to fly with the CFI regularly, or even often, at the BK schools.
I have been instructing for about 10 years on an off and I know a few like that but they're all in the country areas.
If you want that person, you might find him at Curtis Avn in Camden, or at a number of schools inregional centers.
Good luck!
Not to say there is nobody there meeting the description - simply that they move on pretty fast or they become CFI... and you're unlikely to fly with the CFI regularly, or even often, at the BK schools.
I have been instructing for about 10 years on an off and I know a few like that but they're all in the country areas.
If you want that person, you might find him at Curtis Avn in Camden, or at a number of schools inregional centers.
Good luck!
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For whatever it's worth, I have flown with both John and ?Adrian? out of pacific flight services in bankstown - on checkrides in both cases. Each managed to add something to my (ppl) flying, despite it only being a checkride - the former is (I would guess) a career instructor, the latter is on his way to the airlines, but (in my opinion) a damn good instructor nonetheless.
Not sure where you live in Sydney but do consider Camden over Bankstown.
You are closer to the training area, less waiting in queues to take off. Grass and bitumen cross runways. Sometimes controlled airspace (GAAP) and sometimes uncontrolled (CTAF-R).
You get much wider experience of diverse environments at Camden, and don't have to pay for the time spent waiting in the queue or travelling to the TA. Camden is not much further on the freeway if you live north (like I do).
If you are eligible, it is very cost effective to learn at Scouts, PM me if you want more info.
You are closer to the training area, less waiting in queues to take off. Grass and bitumen cross runways. Sometimes controlled airspace (GAAP) and sometimes uncontrolled (CTAF-R).
You get much wider experience of diverse environments at Camden, and don't have to pay for the time spent waiting in the queue or travelling to the TA. Camden is not much further on the freeway if you live north (like I do).
If you are eligible, it is very cost effective to learn at Scouts, PM me if you want more info.
Last edited by bentleg; 14th Apr 2008 at 06:12.
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It may cost a bit more thanother schools, but definitely give RedBaron a look. That's where I'm currently doing my training after getting up to solo at another school.
Nice aircraft and they really push you to get things right (including some more advanced flying than other schools including aerobatics).
I have found their training and the couple of instuctors I've had to be top notch.
Nice aircraft and they really push you to get things right (including some more advanced flying than other schools including aerobatics).
I have found their training and the couple of instuctors I've had to be top notch.
You get much wider experience of diverse environments at Camden, and don't have to pay for the time spent waiting in the queue or travelling to the TA.
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And you won't need Indian as a second language either
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This is a bit off topic... I noticed that Basair and Aerospace offer the best plane hire rates! I mean its only about AU$160-170p/h for C152 dual time compared, say, to General Flying Services, who use C172 as their cheapest plane for PPL and the rate is around AU$300p/h! I mean thats a BIG difference and I am not all that sure if it's worth paying extra $$$ for PPL training when it sort of doesn't really matter what plane you do it in. Any thoughts on that? 
Also, it seems that a lot of schools are not using good old C152 for initial training these days, but preffer larger planes (i.e. warrior - hence the high rates).
Also, it seems that a lot of schools are not using good old C152 for initial training these days, but preffer larger planes (i.e. warrior - hence the high rates).
You said you were looking for -
You may not get an experienced instructor at those rates....but I might be wrong. You get what you pay for......
someone who is more mature, focused on the outcome and has a lot of experience
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Again, if you're set on bankstown try Pacific - a number of folks here sent me their way, and I can't complain. I tried the basair route as I prefer the 172 over the warrior, however had no joy in either booking, or getting calls returned with any regularity.
Rates-wise they are comparable to Basair http://www.pacificflight.com.au/hire.htm
Rates-wise they are comparable to Basair http://www.pacificflight.com.au/hire.htm
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GFS
Ambitious, GFS do mainly airline cadet training and their hire rates are what they are because of that. You probably wouldn't even be able to get in as a private Jo, at least that's what I'm hearing for them in Melbourne.
Go with a small(ish) school that has the right machines for your training and where you are dealt with as a person, not a number. Get to know your instructors and the CFI before you sign up (they'll talk to you about the school and about your situation and aspirations at length if they want your business), and if you have a good feeling about them as people, go and stick with them, you probably won't go wrong. Also check out if they are connected in the industry (best source: other students close to finishing CPLs/MECIRs etc.), they just might be able to get you you first gig.
Go with a small(ish) school that has the right machines for your training and where you are dealt with as a person, not a number. Get to know your instructors and the CFI before you sign up (they'll talk to you about the school and about your situation and aspirations at length if they want your business), and if you have a good feeling about them as people, go and stick with them, you probably won't go wrong. Also check out if they are connected in the industry (best source: other students close to finishing CPLs/MECIRs etc.), they just might be able to get you you first gig.
