Mega Merged: REX Recruitment/Cadetship and Working for REX

Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
From: Melbourne
Not fussed, I've nearly finished my CPL since then. It was good experience anyway.
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
It's a guess since they didn't give me any feedback, but I suspect the sim. At that time I'd only flown a jabiru, which needs full power in a steep turn to maintain altitude. I tried tat on the sim and was climbing. I probably wasn't maintaining heading well either (I only had a couple of flight hours when I applied). The interview went pretty well, I think the only thing negative points against me is that I didn't have much in the way of leadership experience to talk about.
Not fussed, I've nearly finished my CPL since then. It was good experience anyway.
Not fussed, I've nearly finished my CPL since then. It was good experience anyway.
Yeah, I wouldn't see a reason for you to be fussed. You've got your CPL now, and have some good experience to carry forth!
Thanks again.
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Rex 027 Cadetship 2023
Hi everyone, I recently applied for Rex 027 course set to commence in Jan of 2023. After receiving an email for an zoom interview I was knocked back. The interview only went for 10-15mins, they asked about what flying experience I had (of which I have none), what I'm doing in terms of work and why I would like to be a pilot. They also asked if I had any questions.Obviously super disappointed to not make it through to the next round- there is also a mandatory 6 month wait until you can apply again. Keen to here anybodies experiences for this latest intake.
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Hi everyone, I recently applied for Rex 027 course set to commence in Jan of 2023. After receiving an email for an zoom interview I was knocked back. The interview only went for 10-15mins, they asked about what flying experience I had (of which I have none), what I'm doing in terms of work and why I would like to be a pilot. They also asked if I had any questions.Obviously super disappointed to not make it through to the next round- there is also a mandatory 6 month wait until you can apply again. Keen to here anybodies experiences for this latest intake.
If you get some flight experience under your belt and demonstrate an immense interest and plan for it, I'm sure you'll be fine next time. Don't give up if this is your true passion!
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
I'd probably try to get some flight experience and demonstrate some interest in aviation. Are you highly interested in aviation? Do you truly desire to follow it wholeheartedly as a career, or do you just think it seems kind of cool? Also what's your level of education/current employment?
If you get some flight experience under your belt and demonstrate an immense interest and plan for it, I'm sure you'll be fine next time. Don't give up if this is your true passion!
If you get some flight experience under your belt and demonstrate an immense interest and plan for it, I'm sure you'll be fine next time. Don't give up if this is your true passion!
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,835
Likes: 85
From: Boldly going where no split infinitive has gone before..
Thing is, you will be up against people who went to the Air Cadets, flew R/C models, soloed a glider at 15- committed, life-long aviation tragics (of which I am one!). Unless later in life you have picked up this kind of enthusiasm and can demonstrate it, there will always be some keen type ahead of you, because it takes that kind of single-mindedness to put up with the BS being a pilot entails!!
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Sydney
Thing is, you will be up against people who went to the Air Cadets, flew R/C models, soloed a glider at 15- committed, life-long aviation tragics (of which I am one!). Unless later in life you have picked up this kind of enthusiasm and can demonstrate it, there will always be some keen type ahead of you, because it takes that kind of single-mindedness to put up with the BS being a pilot entails!!
Good luck regardless, whatever your future may hold.
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: syd
How competitive is the Rex Cadetship? Do you guys know what the acceptance rate is like?
I am 17; in Yr 11, I have a Cert II in IT, I've done RAAF Cadets, I have 10 flight hours, I'm doing Maths Adv and Physics as my HSC subjects, and I generally get good grades. So what would be the chances of getting in for a guy like me? I can't see myself pursuing any other career, and the Rex cadetship seems like the best pathway into aviation for me. I've got my heart set on this, but I want to have realistic expectations.
Also, is there anything else I could do to become a better candidate? Has Rex offered work experience in the past? I've done some digging, and I'm yet to find anything.
Thanks - clamspread
I am 17; in Yr 11, I have a Cert II in IT, I've done RAAF Cadets, I have 10 flight hours, I'm doing Maths Adv and Physics as my HSC subjects, and I generally get good grades. So what would be the chances of getting in for a guy like me? I can't see myself pursuing any other career, and the Rex cadetship seems like the best pathway into aviation for me. I've got my heart set on this, but I want to have realistic expectations.
Also, is there anything else I could do to become a better candidate? Has Rex offered work experience in the past? I've done some digging, and I'm yet to find anything.
Thanks - clamspread

Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,628
Likes: 1,183
From: Aus
How competitive is the Rex Cadetship? Do you guys know what the acceptance rate is like?
I am 17; in Yr 11, I have a Cert II in IT, I've done RAAF Cadets, I have 10 flight hours, I'm doing Maths Adv and Physics as my HSC subjects, and I generally get good grades. So what would be the chances of getting in for a guy like me? I can't see myself pursuing any other career, and the Rex cadetship seems like the best pathway into aviation for me. I've got my heart set on this, but I want to have realistic expectations.
Also, is there anything else I could do to become a better candidate? Has Rex offered work experience in the past? I've done some digging, and I'm yet to find anything.
Thanks - clamspread
I am 17; in Yr 11, I have a Cert II in IT, I've done RAAF Cadets, I have 10 flight hours, I'm doing Maths Adv and Physics as my HSC subjects, and I generally get good grades. So what would be the chances of getting in for a guy like me? I can't see myself pursuing any other career, and the Rex cadetship seems like the best pathway into aviation for me. I've got my heart set on this, but I want to have realistic expectations.
Also, is there anything else I could do to become a better candidate? Has Rex offered work experience in the past? I've done some digging, and I'm yet to find anything.
Thanks - clamspread

As for what can be done to improve chances. Get to know the industry, questions like why you want to work at x and why you want to be a pilot, how you have dealt with conflict and good knowledge of the aircraft the operator uses and the operators history. Think carefully of your aims in the industry, the people interviewing you will probably see through an answer like "I want to fly a SAAB until I retire at 65" from an 18 year old. Don't be too hooked up on one aircraft type either, you could do a fantastic speech about how you love the SAAB and want to fly them as long as possible and the guy interviewing you is on the project to replace them in a year.
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: syd
Thanks for the reply 43; I am getting my ASIC with my flight school. Once I get it, I'll see what work experience is available.
Do you have any idea how competitive each intake is? I've heard of the shortage of qualified pilots in Australia and how QA is apparently 'plundering the Rex pilot pool'. Is there a deficit of pilots that Rex is trying to compensate with the Rex Cadetship? In my opinion, Rex doesn't clearly state who they are looking for. Universities have guaranteed entry ATARs which makes things simple; I know Rex AAPA is no University; however, I feel like I'm being led astray as I have no idea what I should accomplish to become a competitive applicant.
One last thing, are there any extracurriculars that you would recommend to me? I did RAAF Cadets for a year, but I am too old to return to it now. I have a small company where I employ a few mates (demonstrates leadership???) But apart from that, I don't know what else I should do.
I'll consider what you said with the interview questions when I get further into the application process.
- Thanks again
Do you have any idea how competitive each intake is? I've heard of the shortage of qualified pilots in Australia and how QA is apparently 'plundering the Rex pilot pool'. Is there a deficit of pilots that Rex is trying to compensate with the Rex Cadetship? In my opinion, Rex doesn't clearly state who they are looking for. Universities have guaranteed entry ATARs which makes things simple; I know Rex AAPA is no University; however, I feel like I'm being led astray as I have no idea what I should accomplish to become a competitive applicant.
One last thing, are there any extracurriculars that you would recommend to me? I did RAAF Cadets for a year, but I am too old to return to it now. I have a small company where I employ a few mates (demonstrates leadership???) But apart from that, I don't know what else I should do.
I'll consider what you said with the interview questions when I get further into the application process.
- Thanks again

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 373
Likes: 13
From: Australia
Work experience in an airline is difficult as anything airside will require an ASIC, which rules out hanging with engineers, groundies and tech crew. You might be able to do limited WE in the hangars or hanging around customer service. Only way to find out is to contact the company directly and show interest.

Joined: Mar 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 74
Likes: 21
From: Perth, Australia

Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 65
Likes: 3
From: Melbourne
I have no idea if you can actually fail it or not. I wasn't told my score and didn't receive any feedback, just quietly moved on to the next step in the assessment process after a while.



