Information regarding the Top End
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Been to Hooker Creek a couple of weeks ago and saw the Chart Air base. Nice office and tidy looking 210.
They even have a little tug to push and pull the plane around! Fancy
Looks like a good outfit.
They even have a little tug to push and pull the plane around! Fancy
Looks like a good outfit.
Although they used to have several remote bases, Chartair have closed down their Tennant Creek, Warburton and most recently, Borroloola bases. Probably can't compete with the other operators like KA, Territory Air Services, etc on price.
Only remote base now is Hooker Creek - which is most likely operated on behalf of Lajamanu Air, which is a community owned enterprise, but definitely a Chartair pilot there now operating the C210.
Still have their Katherine base, as well as Alice Springs and Darwin.
CP wouldn't be described by many as "friendly", but does seem to make the effort to speak to pilots if they can catch him in the afternoon - spends time in both Alice Springs and Darwin. They have given heaps of newbies a start straight out of flying school and seem focused on training their pilots to fly the way they want. All pilots full time, and if not flying are expected to work hard at washing aircraft, etc.
Only remote base now is Hooker Creek - which is most likely operated on behalf of Lajamanu Air, which is a community owned enterprise, but definitely a Chartair pilot there now operating the C210.
Still have their Katherine base, as well as Alice Springs and Darwin.
CP wouldn't be described by many as "friendly", but does seem to make the effort to speak to pilots if they can catch him in the afternoon - spends time in both Alice Springs and Darwin. They have given heaps of newbies a start straight out of flying school and seem focused on training their pilots to fly the way they want. All pilots full time, and if not flying are expected to work hard at washing aircraft, etc.
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Everywhere
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Non flying skills
Remember to highlight your non flying skills too, in a lot of the remote areas you will be visiting, having a trade or some skill useful to employers when you are on the ground appears to be a great way to jump to the front of the queue!
Recently Saw a post on AFAP for Marthakal Yolongu air. Does anyone know anything about them?
Elcho Island. YELD.
C206? (Used to)
They used to have a tie up with Chartair or something years ago?
Elcho Island. YELD.
C206? (Used to)
They used to have a tie up with Chartair or something years ago?
Darwin does not have a "season" like Kunners. Nothing stopping you from migrating now 
There is already movement, not huge numbers but it is happening, quite a few people on active hold with QLink, others in the twin ranks with apps in and a good number of turboprop drivers with apps in at various places as well.
There are still a number of "freshers" around, but as the saying goes "Chance favours the prepared"
There is already movement, not huge numbers but it is happening, quite a few people on active hold with QLink, others in the twin ranks with apps in and a good number of turboprop drivers with apps in at various places as well.
There are still a number of "freshers" around, but as the saying goes "Chance favours the prepared"
Darwin does not have a "season" like Kunners. Nothing stopping you from migrating now
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Dog House
Age: 49
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If you get a shared place in Darwin and a casual job (prefon penalty rates) you can have a bit of a life.
Jabiru 257 km
Oenpelli 302 km
Katherine 317 km
Batchelor 97 km
Kununurra 820 km
Regular visits to put the face up at these places wouldhelp.
Jabiru 257 km
Oenpelli 302 km
Katherine 317 km
Batchelor 97 km
Kununurra 820 km
Regular visits to put the face up at these places wouldhelp.
But would you suggest a fresh CPL with 250hrs and a MECIR to head to Darwin? I'd say Darwin would be more of a mecca with guys around the 500-1000TT mark.
I noticed when I lived in Darwin (not flying related) the job hunters all had the same story. If they had 250 hours they got told they needed 500. If they had 500 they got told they needed 750 etc.
After having spoken to many pilots there already I came to the conclusion most already knew somebody and had been recommended. Very few got a job by just turning up and hanging around. Broome and Kununura were more the places to start with very low hours.
After having spoken to many pilots there already I came to the conclusion most already knew somebody and had been recommended. Very few got a job by just turning up and hanging around. Broome and Kununura were more the places to start with very low hours.
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Australia
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Around the time I was there, hardly anybody had actually started their first job in Darwin itself. It was generally the place for pilots who were approaching 1000TT and were deemed promotable onto twins, by whatever standards the operator decided. Was always worth talking to operators with remote bases though, like Chartair, you'd have practically no chance of a start in Darwin, but you might get a remote gig with a move to Darwin some time later.
No idea what it's like there now, all I know is most of the companies I was familiar with have folded.
No idea what it's like there now, all I know is most of the companies I was familiar with have folded.
Join Date: Nov 2015
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Agree not many actually start in Darwin but a Darwin operators out posts (hiring is done from Darwin generally).
1,000 hrs if you appear to have a non fit in character, 250 hrs if good back ground and attitude is enough in cases (depend insurance).
Expect singles for a start job - twins maybe a long way off - but not always.
Yes many folded companies, but same still applies - if you get on well with others working in the Darwin aviation industry, they influence who gets jobs (they talk).
Many like wet season flying experience - second best is proof of just living through a build up and a wet.
1,000 hrs if you appear to have a non fit in character, 250 hrs if good back ground and attitude is enough in cases (depend insurance).
Expect singles for a start job - twins maybe a long way off - but not always.
Yes many folded companies, but same still applies - if you get on well with others working in the Darwin aviation industry, they influence who gets jobs (they talk).
Many like wet season flying experience - second best is proof of just living through a build up and a wet.
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: MEL
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Hi all,
Long time reader first time contributor!
Over the last 6-7 years I have managed to forge a successful career outside of aviation and fortunately I am now in a position where I can take the plunge into the unknown chasing a role within the aviation industry. With a freshly minted CPL/MECIR/250TT and some 200 series time under the belt I will be hitting the road up the Stuart and across the Great Northern on the hunt for that elusive first flying job. There has been some great blogs of others that have done the trip and I will be looking at sharing my story also!
I have a 'hitlist' if you like of CP's at all the low time potential employers and I will be planning on moving to a location and hanging out rather than a fleeting resume dump. Don't mind a beer so if there are a few of you in the same boat shoot me a PM.
Hopefully see some of you guys/gals on the road early in the new year!
Long time reader first time contributor!
Over the last 6-7 years I have managed to forge a successful career outside of aviation and fortunately I am now in a position where I can take the plunge into the unknown chasing a role within the aviation industry. With a freshly minted CPL/MECIR/250TT and some 200 series time under the belt I will be hitting the road up the Stuart and across the Great Northern on the hunt for that elusive first flying job. There has been some great blogs of others that have done the trip and I will be looking at sharing my story also!
I have a 'hitlist' if you like of CP's at all the low time potential employers and I will be planning on moving to a location and hanging out rather than a fleeting resume dump. Don't mind a beer so if there are a few of you in the same boat shoot me a PM.
Hopefully see some of you guys/gals on the road early in the new year!
Start networking boys. Knowing who's who and who's where and who's got what is crucial.
Be prepared to drive for days on a whim with half a sniff of a job on the breeze.
All the guys who I started with are flying something decent. Who stuck it out anyway. It may be a year, it may be ten. Everyone who persists seems to get there at some point.
Be prepared to drive for days on a whim with half a sniff of a job on the breeze.
All the guys who I started with are flying something decent. Who stuck it out anyway. It may be a year, it may be ten. Everyone who persists seems to get there at some point.
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perth, Australia
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Keep at it
It maybe worth hitting up someone in Darwin or Emkaytee, Bachelor etc like the Flight Advantage mob. I believe they have a 210 'starter' pack that includes some hours in a C210 and some very good theory and practical training. It maybe better than flying to Perth for it.
Enjoy the journey and keep at it. I had a ball up in that part of the world trying to get my first job!
Enjoy the journey and keep at it. I had a ball up in that part of the world trying to get my first job!
Join Date: Oct 2016
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G'day Cramjet,
I'm up here as well, arrived here in Darwin just over a week ago. Set up camp, got some good paying work in my usual industry, and here to wait it out! Everybody I speak to all ask the same question, "Do you have any 200 series time..." which I don't so that is hurting me a bit. Planning on heading over to Perth next weekend to private hire a 210 and do some time in that to boost the old resume. Seems like things are picking up up here as the flow on effect is starting to trickle down into the GA sector so hopefully score something soon. If you're here in Darwin or if anybody else is up here then feel free to get in contact would be great to catch up for a beer.
I'm up here as well, arrived here in Darwin just over a week ago. Set up camp, got some good paying work in my usual industry, and here to wait it out! Everybody I speak to all ask the same question, "Do you have any 200 series time..." which I don't so that is hurting me a bit. Planning on heading over to Perth next weekend to private hire a 210 and do some time in that to boost the old resume. Seems like things are picking up up here as the flow on effect is starting to trickle down into the GA sector so hopefully score something soon. If you're here in Darwin or if anybody else is up here then feel free to get in contact would be great to catch up for a beer.
Just completing my CIR, will be up there in a few weeks. I have some 200 series time in the bag so hopefully won't be too much of an issue for me. Good to hear its promising up there! I've heard BME is a bit quiet at the moment with Kim Av. going under and surplus pilots. Definitely catch up for a beer when I get up there! Best of Luck on the hunt! Cheers
There sure is movement all over the Territory. Don't be afraid to get out of Darwin, especially if you have less than ~400 hours.
Read through the hints and tips found here and on various operators websites. If they say dress in a pilots shirt, a suit or a pink tutut do exactly what they say, then change for the next operator. If they say they want a one page resume or a call first or to come in at a certain time, for god sake do what they say. Don't rock up and say "I say you wanted this but I just thought i'd do something else". If you can't follow simple instructions found online, how can the operator be sure you will follow SOPs in the ops manual??
There's never been a better time to be a job hunting pilot! Have fun!
Read through the hints and tips found here and on various operators websites. If they say dress in a pilots shirt, a suit or a pink tutut do exactly what they say, then change for the next operator. If they say they want a one page resume or a call first or to come in at a certain time, for god sake do what they say. Don't rock up and say "I say you wanted this but I just thought i'd do something else". If you can't follow simple instructions found online, how can the operator be sure you will follow SOPs in the ops manual??
There's never been a better time to be a job hunting pilot! Have fun!
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Perth, Australia
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Hey Perth.Pilot, yeah I've spoken to the guys at flight advantage, not sure how much the pilot starter pack is but they want 650 an hour to hire a 210 dual only. I've got a guy in Perth who private hires his 210 for $400 an hour wet, 1 hour with an instructor, 1 hour with himself and solo after that. so if I'm to do 5+ hours it works out more cost effective to go to perth even with the price of flights.