Information regarding the Top End

[Corvallis]

Oh and

treat the course as a job interview

[Ck.]

Originally Posted by VH-RME

Getting ready to head up north for the first time - is this the wrong time of year? I know wet season is starting, but is it worth heading up and chancing it anyways?

I went up recently ( a few months ago, nearing end of dry season) and found the longer you stayed in a location and let yourself known to the operators, the better the chances of getting a job.
And there is a never a wrong time of the year to go up, you’re never going to know unless you tried.

Pm me if you need any advice.

You can’t use the Private Messaging system, add url links or images until you have an established posting history.

[wobblymammall]

Hi all, currently a flight instructor/charter pilot based in South Aus. Thinking of making the move to Darwin and just after some feedback on my chances of getting a decent gig based out of Darwin with 700 total 100 of which is multi. I understand that I won’t know until I go and find out myself but some feed back on how things are up their at the moment for someone with that kind of time would be great!

[WannaBeBiggles]

Those sort of hours should get you a look in with Hardys.

Chartair were also looking for drivers, not sure what their numbers are like right now.

Otherwise all the other operators would be worth a crack too.

Not a massive amount of movement at present, but let the new year and the airline hiring spree start up again and you'll be in good stead with those hours

[nickgg]

Hi all,

I've got heaps out of this forum over the past couple of years during my training and I'm now in a position to make my own move up North. I'm a fresh-ish CPL/MECIR with 240TT and 5 hours Cessna 205 time (but in the process of adding to this). I'm planning to arrive in Darwin at the beginning of Feb to start my search for that elusive first job. I appreciate it's more than likely to be remote but I'm planning on basing myself there, continuing with my existing non-flying job, getting to know the local operators and driving to Katherine, Jabiru, etc. to get to know the operators there. I've come to flying a bit later in life so have a few years of non-flying work experience which I'm hoping might be helpful to some.

Any advice and feedback on here or via PM would be hugely appreciated and likewise would be happy to grab a beer in Darwin too.

Cheers

[Jerr]

Hey Nick

Good luck, on the way up to Darwin would be worthwhile checking out William Creek, Marree, Alice Springs.

A good mate of mine got his first job at William Creek, 2 years later was in Darwin, a year later Alice Springs, now F/O at Qlink.

Safe flying

JERR

[spektrum]

first job at William Creek, 2 years later was in Darwin, a year later Alice Springs, now F/O at Qlink.

Well wasnt that all a waste of time.

[Karunch]

Originally Posted by spektrum

Well wasnt that all a waste of time.

Hard to tell if that was said in jest spektrum. Those first 3 years will likely be the most memorable & formative of a 30 year career. Qlink & mainline not so much.

[Nominal]

I'm in a somewhat similar position, however I'm considering doing an FIR prior to leaving. Will this be of use to any of the operators up North?My initial plan was too instruct and then eventually make my way up into charter.

[WannaBeBiggles]

Originally Posted by Nominal

I'm in a somewhat similar position, however I'm considering doing an FIR prior to leaving. Will this be of use to any of the operators up North?My initial plan was too instruct and then eventually make my way up into charter.

Nope, non. Unless you have META or something of the like.

Operators up here need someone who they can trust with their aircraft and that can handle themselves when things don't go to plan; such as too many (or no) pax showing up, or someone trying to take too much stuff with them or something going wrong with the plane and not have a nervous breakdown because there's no mobile reception to call someone else to make a decision for you.

IMHO, save your money, get you instrument rating and if you've already done that and really want to burn more cash, get some time on a 200 series. If you already have all that, save the cash for your trip and accommodation to keep you in a place as long as possible while you wait for that first job, and more importantly beer!

[Duck Pilot]

Disagree, do your FIR in Darwin. There is a school up there who will make you work for a Real FIR opposed to obtaining a sausage factory produced one!

Owned and managed by a few highly experienced pilots who know exactly what is required with regards to training and career development of pilots.

[Capt Fathom]

FIR ?

Are you guys discussing an Instructors Rating or an Instrument Rating?

[Duck Pilot]

Flight Instructors Rating (FIR), modern world terminology - CASA Part 61.

[bloodandiron]

Anyone in Broome or Kunnas at the moment looking for work?