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Mega Merged: REX Recruitment/Cadetship and Working for REX

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Mega Merged: REX Recruitment/Cadetship and Working for REX

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Old 28th Jul 2018, 23:38
  #901 (permalink)  
 
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Yeah, they’re employing direct entry FOs. Alot of them.
Are Rex employing DE FOs, or “rapaciously plundering” smaller GA operators?

Move over North Korea, we have a new leader in delusional rhetoric.
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Old 20th Aug 2018, 09:14
  #902 (permalink)  
 
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Rex cadetship

Hi
i have a phone interview with rex for their cadetship and was wondering if you could tell me what to expect ?
Thankyou
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Old 22nd Aug 2018, 21:04
  #903 (permalink)  
Seagull201
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Rex advertised yesterday for direct entry f/o's and captns for their saab 340 regular public transport operations.
 
Old 23rd Aug 2018, 14:58
  #904 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Seagull201
Rex advertised yesterday for direct entry f/o's and captns for their saab 340 regular public transport operations.
Does anyone know if the 150 ME PIC under IFR is an absolute requirement or if there is any flexibility, eg >/=150hrs IFR but not all ME or PIC?

Cheers

BE
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Old 2nd Feb 2019, 06:53
  #905 (permalink)  
 
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Introduction and Queries Regarding REX Cadetship

Dear All,

I hope all of you are doing absolutely fantastic.

I have been a silent member of this wonderful forum from past 11 years now! Wow 11 years and no posts. Reason for that is that I am an aviation enthusiast and not a professional aviator. I just enjoyed reading various experiences shared by different users in the past and tried to visualize myself in those situations.

A bit about me. I am 36 years old, married male with no kids. As most of you, I always wanted to be a pilot but my finances never allowed me to pursue my dream and the country I come from (India) is also not the best place to pursue flying.
I have total around 13 years of work experience in IT field most in Fortune 500 Blue Chip companies. All these years 2 things which always remained at the back of my mind were flying and performance cars.

Around 4 years back I received my permanent residency of Australia and I am moving there for good by end of this week.
During my research for the move, I also started searching for flying schools with hope that since I will be in a "First World Country" now I might be able to pursue my dreams. Thats when I came across REX Cadetship program.

Just for the sake of fun I applied for it and received an email from them inviting me to take WOMBAT test.

I have the following queries for the same -
  • Do they invite everyone for the test? I am 36 and most of their cadets in the past are aged between 22-26. Do I really have a chance keeping my age in the mind
  • What can I expect in the WOMBAT test. I mean I have read about it. But can I buy a copy for myself for practice or anything similar to it
  • I have read on the forum that for most of the guys they took a Physics/Maths test post WOMBAT. The email I received does not mention anything about it. Should I ask them about the test?
  • What is your opinion about the whole scenario in general? I mean is it really feasible at my age and circumstances
Note to the Mods

I know that there is a "Mega Merged" thread for rex and "Am I tool old..." but my queries don't fit in there. Please don't delete this thread.

Thank you,
Kind regards.
Donny

Last edited by roger7060; 2nd Feb 2019 at 18:43.
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Old 4th Feb 2019, 13:16
  #906 (permalink)  
 
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Guys please help. I posted this query with lots of hope and expecting some help from the mentors.
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Old 4th Feb 2019, 19:41
  #907 (permalink)  
 
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The Rex Cadetship requires 7 years to pay back the loan, plus $25,000 up front. Do you have that kind of funding plus the required people to guarantee your loan in case you forfeit it for some reason? Are you willing to have not only yourself, but your guarantors take on that financial risk? That should be the biggest question you ask yourself.

The second thing to consider is that in order to upgrade, you will need command time. You will probably have about 70 hours command after your cadetship flight training. I'm sure Rex probably has some ICUS program in place to upgrade their cadets, but because you are bonded to them, it will be on an as needed basis. People go into Rex all the time with the required upgrade command time and then sidestep all of the cadets whenever the company need their next upgrade.

You have 12 years in IT, you could probably very easily get a relatively high paying job in that field, then fund flight training yourself at a fraction of the cost of the Rex cadetship. Flying is great, but just like any other job, the line between a hobby and a job becomes more and more gloomy over time. A Saab 340 might seem like nice thing to drive, but the thrill of flying it will probably be exhausted some time before your 7 years are up. Is the pay, benefits, corporate culture and lifestyle that Rex offers enough to offset that initial thrill of flying? If the answer is no, then you might find yourself in a dark place if there is no avenue for you to exit within the next whatever amount of years. Something to consider.

This might be an alternative timeline:
- Get an IT job in a major city where you can advance your career internally. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a ~ $100,000 pa salary after you prove yourself.
- Learn to fly on your own terms, as much or as little as you want, and fund it as you go.
- Once you get a PPL, you will be able to fly whenever you want, anywhere in Australia, this will give you an idea if you want to continue with becoming a professional pilot.
umop apisdn is offline  
Old 4th Feb 2019, 23:32
  #908 (permalink)  
 
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Sound advice above, particularly learning to fly on your own terms.
Your written English is an obvious strength, so you should be able to find work in IT or another communication discipline meantime.
Another angle could be to suss out a large flying school which trains pilots on behalf of an Indian or Chinese Airline. There are several, mostly based in medium sized regional cities. Maybe do a deal whereby they train you through CPL to Grade 3 Instructor, then you work for them to build P1 hours.
Use spare time to complete ATPL subjects. If the current hiring boom lasts a couple more years, you could have an airline co pilot job by age 40. There are better gigs to be had than Rex, but if that is your scene, they always have a pilot turnover. A job without the burden of cadetship would at least enable you to bail out if it did not suit.

The idea of earning the big bucks in another profession and simply flying privately for pleasure is not such an appealing alternative. Read elsewhere how GA in this country is almost extinct and obscenely expensive. In any case, droning around this wide, brown, flat land of ours in a bugsmasher would bore any intelligent person to tears after a while.

Good luck in your ambitions.
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Old 6th Feb 2019, 01:05
  #909 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by umop apisdn
The Rex Cadetship requires 7 years to pay back the loan, plus $25,000 up front. Do you have that kind of funding plus the required people to guarantee your loan in case you forfeit it for some reason? Are you willing to have not only yourself, but your guarantors take on that financial risk? That should be the biggest question you ask yourself.

The second thing to consider is that in order to upgrade, you will need command time. You will probably have about 70 hours command after your cadetship flight training. I'm sure Rex probably has some ICUS program in place to upgrade their cadets, but because you are bonded to them, it will be on an as needed basis. People go into Rex all the time with the required upgrade command time and then sidestep all of the cadets whenever the company need their next upgrade.

You have 12 years in IT, you could probably very easily get a relatively high paying job in that field, then fund flight training yourself at a fraction of the cost of the Rex cadetship. Flying is great, but just like any other job, the line between a hobby and a job becomes more and more gloomy over time. A Saab 340 might seem like nice thing to drive, but the thrill of flying it will probably be exhausted some time before your 7 years are up. Is the pay, benefits, corporate culture and lifestyle that Rex offers enough to offset that initial thrill of flying? If the answer is no, then you might find yourself in a dark place if there is no avenue for you to exit within the next whatever amount of years. Something to consider.


This might be an alternative timeline:
- Get an IT job in a major city where you can advance your career internally. It wouldn't be unreasonable to expect a ~ $100,000 pa salary after you prove yourself.
- Learn to fly on your own terms, as much or as little as you want, and fund it as you go.
- Once you get a PPL, you will be able to fly whenever you want, anywhere in Australia, this will give you an idea if you want to continue with becoming a professional pilot.
Thank you for taking time out and replying. Much appreciated.

Paying 25K upfront is not a problem but I don't have a guarantor as I am very new to the country. I was not aware of this guarantor requirement.
Yes, I can secure a job within my field. But since last 13 years I have been dragging myself to my workplace. I have almost lost all the motivation and was thinking on the lines of career change.
Flying at leisure after PPL does not seems like a practical solution for some reason.
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Old 6th Feb 2019, 01:10
  #910 (permalink)  
 
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Originally Posted by Mach E Avelli
Sound advice above, particularly learning to fly on your own terms.
Your written English is an obvious strength, so you should be able to find work in IT or another communication discipline meantime.
Another angle could be to suss out a large flying school which trains pilots on behalf of an Indian or Chinese Airline. There are several, mostly based in medium sized regional cities. Maybe do a deal whereby they train you through CPL to Grade 3 Instructor, then you work for them to build P1 hours.
Use spare time to complete ATPL subjects. If the current hiring boom lasts a couple more years, you could have an airline co pilot job by age 40. There are better gigs to be had than Rex, but if that is your scene, they always have a pilot turnover. A job without the burden of cadetship would at least enable you to bail out if it did not suit.

The idea of earning the big bucks in another profession and simply flying privately for pleasure is not such an appealing alternative. Read elsewhere how GA in this country is almost extinct and obscenely expensive. In any case, droning around this wide, brown, flat land of ours in a bugsmasher would bore any intelligent person to tears after a while.

Good luck in your ambitions.
Thank you for replying Captain. Much appreciated.
I cannot sponsor my CPL and Type rating at this point of time. Maximum I can afford is maybe a CPL. I have read everywhere that without the hours and type rating it is almost impossible to secure a job.

I have been writing to different schools in and around Sydney, CPL alone will set me back by AUD 85,000. I have checked with SOAR aviation and they have a part time CPL program which is of 2 years and will cost around AUD 85,000.
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Old 6th Feb 2019, 01:14
  #911 (permalink)  
 
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Guys any pointers to practice WOMBAT test by buying paid subscription or something similar?
Can they catch me by surprise? They haven't mention anything about Maths/Physics test. Should I ask them? I am Computer Engineering graduate which was a 4 year full time degree course and I had Physics and Maths as my subjects for 2 years. Can that be the reason of exemption? I mean if they have exempted me.
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Old 6th Feb 2019, 03:36
  #912 (permalink)  
 
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Sorry, being ancient I have no idea of the WOMBAT test, and no doubt would fail it!

You mention you could possibly afford just a basic CPL. Shop carefully before spending your money. There are sharks in the training business. Some mentioned in the archives of these forums. Whatever you do, only agree to pay as you go. If they ask for large sums up front, run!
Think about doing it with a company that does charter work as well as training, and try to reach some agreement that if you perform OK on the CPL they will employ you. Smaller operators often prefer to train then employ former students for the obvious reason they know what they are getting.
Basic CPL flying pays very poorly, as does grade 3 instructing - flipping burgers at Maccas pays about as much. But it still could be a better option than signing your lfe away with Rex.
If you see a cadetship as your best plan, investigate other airlne schemes on offer. Qantas and Virgin have advertised cadetships.
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Old 6th Feb 2019, 07:30
  #913 (permalink)  
Seagull201
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Originally Posted by roger7060
Dear All,

I hope all of you are doing absolutely fantastic.

I have been a silent member of this wonderful forum from past 11 years now! Wow 11 years and no posts. Reason for that is that I am an aviation enthusiast and not a professional aviator. I just enjoyed reading various experiences shared by different users in the past and tried to visualize myself in those situations.

A bit about me. I am 36 years old, married male with no kids. As most of you, I always wanted to be a pilot but my finances never allowed me to pursue my dream and the country I come from (India) is also not the best place to pursue flying.
I have total around 13 years of work experience in IT field most in Fortune 500 Blue Chip companies. All these years 2 things which always remained at the back of my mind were flying and performance cars.

Around 4 years back I received my permanent residency of Australia and I am moving there for good by end of this week.
During my research for the move, I also started searching for flying schools with hope that since I will be in a "First World Country" now I might be able to pursue my dreams. Thats when I came across REX Cadetship program.

Just for the sake of fun I applied for it and received an email from them inviting me to take WOMBAT test.

I have the following queries for the same -
  • Do they invite everyone for the test? I am 36 and most of their cadets in the past are aged between 22-26. Do I really have a chance keeping my age in the mind
  • What can I expect in the WOMBAT test. I mean I have read about it. But can I buy a copy for myself for practice or anything similar to it
  • I have read on the forum that for most of the guys they took a Physics/Maths test post WOMBAT. The email I received does not mention anything about it. Should I ask them about the test?
  • What is your opinion about the whole scenario in general? I mean is it really feasible at my age and circumstances
Note to the Mods

I know that there is a "Mega Merged" thread for rex and "Am I tool old..." but my queries don't fit in there. Please don't delete this thread.

Thank you,
Kind regards.
Donny
Hello,

I've read your post and i have read what other usernames have advised you, BUT you have asked for help!
So, i presume this situation is important to you!

The way i have read your story, you are coming to OZ, with your partner and you are an I.T person, but you love aeroplanes and want to be an airline pilot.

REX is the quickest and BEST way to become an airline pilot, through their training programme.
I agree.

I agree, because, a person gets the CPL/ME IR qualifications, then does a type rating programme for the SF 340 aircraft and works as an SF340 co-pilot.
A person doesn't have to do ATPL theory exams.

Reading your questions, i haven't done the WOMBAT exam, BUT from what I understand, it's about, following some ball on a computer page, testing a persons
concentration and alert levels, from the results of THIS exam, it CAN be determined, if a person will pass the aviation course, in the required hours!
You can find information on the WOMBAT test, by google.

I have heard there are Maths and Physics questions, you CANNOT get an exemption, YOU have to COMPLETE their exam.

LOOK, since you are coming from overseas, in MY opinion, YOU, have to UNDERSTAND, that you are NOT alone, you have a partner,
AND you CANNOT throw ALL your money into aviation!

Aviation training is expensive, that's correct, about 85K for a CPL, another 30K for an Instrument Rating on a light twin, another 25K,
for a flight Instructor Rating, that's 140K to fly general aviation aeroplanes.
If you are bringing from India $150K (AUD value), okay, i would say, DO IT!

If you DON'T have the money for flying training, then PLEASE tell me, how you can do this?

If you are coming to Sydney, rent, IS NOT, under $430 a week for a 2 bedroom unit, plus, 4 weeks bond, living costs for you and your wife, aren't under,
$300 a week, then throw on top of that BILLS/UTILITIES (Electricity/Insurances), your MINIMUM WEEKLY EXPENSES, are at least $900 a week.

YOU can forget about flying!

What i'm saying is, ALL Australian cities have high expenses, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND, get an IT job and work in THAT industry and learn to fly part time,
OR, when you CAN.

Get your CPL/IR/Flight Instructor Rating, and EVENTUALLY, work part time as an instructor on weekends, then decide, what you want to do in the future!

If you sign up for the REX programme, THERE IS a FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, involved, if you HAVE money to pay for flying training and accommodation/living expenses,
for you and your wife, good, you can do it!
I'm talking about at least $200k AUD. (Flying training/rental accommotion/living expenses for 18 months).

Just remember, Australia IS NOT a mickey mouse country, there is a price and standard that NEEDS to be achieved, in all aspects,
AND it COSTS, a lot of money.

GET yourself an IT job and enjoy flying and life!
You will make the decisions DURING your journey, what ever you decide to do!

What, i'm saying is, I don't want to see you get into a financial MESS, IF you don't have the money to PLAY this AVIATION GAME!

Wishing YOU, all the very best!

(Note: I'm not yelling, when i'm writing in capitals, just highlighting).

Cheers







 
Old 6th Feb 2019, 15:44
  #914 (permalink)  
 
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I know nothing about Rex Cadetship so I can't share with you any useful information, but I just want to show appreciation on how you plan to achieve your dream.

All I could share is, being an overseas major airline pilot, I even feel struggle in the chance of getting to fly again if I migrate to Australia one day. Part of it due to my training background which made the licence conversion to be a very painful one, and also I have a new born to raise where I can't throw big money in order to meet the CASA licencing requirement / AUS airline requirement. I even planned for a career change for the worst scenario.

To make a living and to achieve your dream may not be a mutually exclusive situation; but when it becomes one, probably there is only one option for a reasonable person to take.

Good luck and all the best!
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Old 7th Feb 2019, 03:53
  #915 (permalink)  
 
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Go for it

Just my 2 cents!

Having been through the ‘self training’ path and also worked at Rex I thought I’d chip in.

I did my own self studied CPL (200hrs) and then went job hunting. Took me a whole year before I managed to find a flying job. In the meantime I was stacking shelves at Woolworths to get by. Part of the problem was my lack of confidence to get out there after getting a few No! answers. I would imagine having been a relatively recent arrival in Aus you won’t have any contacts in aviation (just like I didn’t). It will be totally dependent on your ability to get out and knock on doors over and over again to get that first job.

Later on in my career I joined Rex as a DEC (cutting in over the cadets as someone else mentioned). Having been a sceptic myself about cadet schemes in general, I will now happily recommend the Rex scheme to anyone thinking about it. I can’t speak for the AAPA side of things (but heard no real complaints), however the finished product as a line trained f/o is good. Not experienced by any means but everyone I encountered had a good attitude and ability to learn quickly. Despite all the negative things about Rex on Pprune and whatever management will throw at you if you work there, they DO WANT TO UPGRADE YOU. The sustainability of their business depends on upgrading cadets to Captains eventually. If you can get in, I would take the Rex Cadetship over self funded training every time.

To put the 7 year bond into perspective: I did my CPL in 2004, Dash 8 f/o 2010, upgrade to Captain late 2010. I think most pilots on Pprune would have a similar 5-6 year timeframe to get in the LHS of a turboprop. When I left Rex f/o’s were upgrading around the 4 year mark.

As for your age, I wouldn’t worry to much. My groundschool was mainly made up of people that had done something previously (uni plus a few years in a different career).
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Old 8th Feb 2019, 00:58
  #916 (permalink)  
 
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Roger,

During my training I did look at the REX cadetship and even did the WOMBAT test; found the test to be fairly straight forward with it testing your hand-eye coordination with you chasing a chasing a ball with a joystick in both of your hands, various games to play as well and some simple straight forward maths. I did successfully pass this test bearing in mind I did no practise for it before attempting it.

In terms of the Cadetship a really close friend of mine did get through all the stages and was offered a place. He swears by the program and is absolutely loves being on the SAAB with him meeting great people along the way. BUT it is a major financial decision so bear in mind the costs and do ask HR questions regarding their contracts.

As I am aware the $25k you pay upfront covers accomodation (YOU only) and food while training in Wagga Wagga (I could be wrong) but you'll be contracted for minimum 7years, if you don't serve the 7years you pay back for the training costs incurred.
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Old 11th Feb 2019, 06:49
  #917 (permalink)  
 
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Mach E Avelli;

Thank you for replying. Much appreciated.

Charter work is a great idea. I am talking to the schools but none of them assist with any kind of job assistance.
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Old 11th Feb 2019, 06:50
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chanteur;

Thank you Captain. Much appreciated.
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Old 11th Feb 2019, 06:53
  #919 (permalink)  
 
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aviation_enthus;

Thank you Captain. Much appreciated.

My WOMBAT test is scheduled for 18th February. Lets see how it goes.
I really hope to get through as this is the only viable option for me.
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Old 11th Feb 2019, 06:57
  #920 (permalink)  
 
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thisishardtochoose;

Thank you for replying Captain. Much appreciated.

Few Questions -

Did they conduct the Maths and WOMBAT Test on the same day?

Were you informed about the Maths Test Before hand?
Till what stage you went?

Any pointers for preparation?
roger7060 is offline  


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