Fresh CPL heading North or West
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Join Date: May 2007
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Fresh CPL heading North or West
Good day,
I know this has been spoken about over and over and over,
my question is to the pilots that have just made there way up north or west, how are they finding things? and how are the employers feeling with
the economy the way it is? Just curious as I have my CPL and IFR exams booked for the last week in March and if all goes well I'll have my bags packed and heading up there with my fresh CPL as soon it's off the printer.
Cheers
I know this has been spoken about over and over and over,
my question is to the pilots that have just made there way up north or west, how are they finding things? and how are the employers feeling with
the economy the way it is? Just curious as I have my CPL and IFR exams booked for the last week in March and if all goes well I'll have my bags packed and heading up there with my fresh CPL as soon it's off the printer.
Cheers
Last edited by Andy05; 8th Feb 2009 at 08:49.
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I would also really appreciate anyones feedback on the state of GA up there this year. 
Given I have a wife and a mortgage its a bit much to ask the missus to quit her job and walk away from her life in Melb with no more info than "pack your car, head up north and find out for yourself". 
Given I have a wife and a mortgage its a bit much to ask the missus to quit her job and walk away from her life in Melb with no more info than "pack your car, head up north and find out for yourself".
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I'm married and I have got a mortage and we looked at the options and
my wife has decided that she will stay in Sydney seeing that she has a great job that pays well which means I only need to send home a small amount of money to make sure that mortage is paid and that she'll be fine she also has lots of family here that are great.
my wife has decided that she will stay in Sydney seeing that she has a great job that pays well which means I only need to send home a small amount of money to make sure that mortage is paid and that she'll be fine she also has lots of family here that are great.
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bill, there was a thread or two about a year ago from memory from a couple of "older" guys with families. Might be worth doing a search and chasing them up to see how they faired and what advice they may have.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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well, from an older married and mortgaged point of view. the GA scene for new CPL's is very difficult. the wages for new starters is pretty lame. I do a little flying for a company in the NW during the build up and wet and although they pay better than average for the work I do, and the equipment is good and the flying great, I really battle to make ends meet after a about three months.
I am lucky enough to not have to pay rent while I am up there, but it still gets pretty hard unless you have a second job. I reckon it would be a killer if you were trying to pay the exorbitant rents that are the norm for the area.
Good luck with it, but be ready to work hard in two jobs to make ends meet.
I am lucky enough to not have to pay rent while I am up there, but it still gets pretty hard unless you have a second job. I reckon it would be a killer if you were trying to pay the exorbitant rents that are the norm for the area.
Good luck with it, but be ready to work hard in two jobs to make ends meet.
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which means I only need to send home a small amount of money
Last edited by FourBalls; 8th Feb 2009 at 12:31. Reason: typo
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Trust me, its easier if you leave your wife/girlfriend at home in the city. Although some will become conformtable in their new outback home, the majority seem to become quite restless after the first few months and thats where the relationship will really be tested. I've seen this plenty of times.
Its the same situation for female pilots who decide to bring their other half up north, or guys who bring their boyfriends up.
Cheers
Tiger
Its the same situation for female pilots who decide to bring their other half up north, or guys who bring their boyfriends up.
Cheers
Tiger
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Sorry for any thread drift...
Tiger 77, you've raised a point that I've been wondering for a while now,
Can anyone shed any light on how well gay guys generally get along in GA?
Probably sounds like a stupid question, and I'd imagine there really wouldn't be any difference provided we don't push the fact onto everyone we meet and put in the effort like everyone else, but I was just wondering if gay guys are generally well accepted in some of the smaller communities. I may be ignorant for even asking, but I've honestly not lived anywhere smaller than Perth and am genuinely curious.
Cheers,
Tiger 77, you've raised a point that I've been wondering for a while now,
Can anyone shed any light on how well gay guys generally get along in GA?
Probably sounds like a stupid question, and I'd imagine there really wouldn't be any difference provided we don't push the fact onto everyone we meet and put in the effort like everyone else, but I was just wondering if gay guys are generally well accepted in some of the smaller communities. I may be ignorant for even asking, but I've honestly not lived anywhere smaller than Perth and am genuinely curious.
Cheers,
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80k? That's a damn sight more than what I'm getting to support a wife and two kids! I've been under the impression that starting salaries are in the order of 25K if you're lucky and if you stick it out for 5+ years you'd be lucky to get up to 65-70K, which is one of the main reasons I've stayed in my non-flying job. At 35 years young, these decisions are getting more and more difficult to contemplate. 
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Guys thanks sincerely for taking the time to offer your honest opinion and experiences. I appreciate the feedback. 
It sure is a tough and complicated decision.
Gadrivr thanks for your post. I think maybe the solution is similar to yours. Promise the wife to limit the bash to a year or two and if its not working out to go back to flying a desk.
Like they say Fortune Favours the Brave.
PS if I make it i'm going to write a book on how to do it. I know i'd buy it.
It sure is a tough and complicated decision. Gadrivr thanks for your post. I think maybe the solution is similar to yours. Promise the wife to limit the bash to a year or two and if its not working out to go back to flying a desk.
Like they say Fortune Favours the Brave.
PS if I make it i'm going to write a book on how to do it. I know i'd buy it.
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At home! My posts with interest! Ha no wonder you are getting sick of aviation (just kidding!).
400 multi and things could change for you. Circumstances are different for all but you might find that the playing field changes once you have your 500 me cmd.
Things are bleak at the moment yes but don't forget that many aircraft orders are still in place so eventally either they will be cancelled or crewed.
The reality is however that Jet or no Jet, aviation is not what it used to be. If you compare what teachers, nurses and police earned 10-15 years ago to now and do the same for a Jet pilot you soon realise that its not a very good trend. And in some cases it looks like its going to get worse.
Good luck.
400 multi and things could change for you. Circumstances are different for all but you might find that the playing field changes once you have your 500 me cmd.
Things are bleak at the moment yes but don't forget that many aircraft orders are still in place so eventally either they will be cancelled or crewed.
The reality is however that Jet or no Jet, aviation is not what it used to be. If you compare what teachers, nurses and police earned 10-15 years ago to now and do the same for a Jet pilot you soon realise that its not a very good trend. And in some cases it looks like its going to get worse.
Good luck.
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Things are bleak at the moment yes but don't forget that many aircraft orders are still in place so eventally either they will be cancelled or crewed.
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Like Bill says. Things might be looking gloomy now but people have short memories and things will bounce back. Just thinking of all the things that have hit aviation hard in the last few years 911, SARS, when they all hit every thing went pear shaped for a while, airlines went bust tourists stopped travelling and it was the end of aviation, but it did bounce back and it will again, just got to be ready for the next wave. I believe the next wave will be bigger than the last.
To all those not sure what to do I say bite the bullet and go for it, if you can't get a tourist gig look outside the square make an effort, make some enquiries, most jobs are not advertised,eg glider towing, meat bombing, dog baiting, bird scaring, mustering there is still many more ways to get the hours up. As to wages, think of it as an apprenticeship the first few years are lower paying but they do go up as you accrue more experience.
Get into it
To all those not sure what to do I say bite the bullet and go for it, if you can't get a tourist gig look outside the square make an effort, make some enquiries, most jobs are not advertised,eg glider towing, meat bombing, dog baiting, bird scaring, mustering there is still many more ways to get the hours up. As to wages, think of it as an apprenticeship the first few years are lower paying but they do go up as you accrue more experience.
Get into it
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I'm heading up to Kununurra in a weeks time, I don't have a retractable undercarriage endorsement, and as it seems a lot of the flying is done in 210's, I was wondering if this will be an issue in gaining employment. Is it a must have before heading up, or do companies endorse you on these aircraft?
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Ditchin,
If you have the time and money get your retract. It's not essential but if two equal candidates come up for the same job one has retract the other doesn't the one with it will be favoured. It is almost impossible to get done these sorts of things done up here, so have all the boxes ticked before you head up.
If you have the time and money get your retract. It's not essential but if two equal candidates come up for the same job one has retract the other doesn't the one with it will be favoured. It is almost impossible to get done these sorts of things done up here, so have all the boxes ticked before you head up.
Silly Old Git
See that button/lever marked GEAR?
Well....UP means gear up dont land yet
Down means gear DOWn yer kin land if the lights are GREEN
Please PM me for the total amount payable for your retract endorsement
Yours
TeePee
Have a nice day
Well....UP means gear up dont land yet
Down means gear DOWn yer kin land if the lights are GREEN
Please PM me for the total amount payable for your retract endorsement
Yours
TeePee
Have a nice day
Can anyone shed any light on how well gay guys generally get along in GA?
Think red neck hick towns with farm workers, miners, military, road maintenance, railway, etc, workers. These people can be some what narrow minded and unsympathetic where poofters are concerned. Trying to pick up another man in a pub in North Queensland will probably get you slung out the door with a black eye.
Best advice is keep it well to yourself. No lisping, mincing walks or limp wrists. Be seen reading RALPH, FHM, Shootin Magazines etc. Keep your usual lifestyle for back in the city and you should have no problems.
