School at Essendon

[GirlFlya]

Hi All,

I was pointed to this site for some possible help.

I am wanting to get my CPL and I would like to know if anyone here could give me some information on the schools.

As far as I can goggle I can only find Pearson Aviation, Interair and National Aero?

If anyone can share some information or PM me on Aircraft, Instruction or anything that would be great!

I did a search of these forums but only found posts that are fairly old.

Thanks Jen

[Bear Grylls]

It's been said a billion times, so I might as well say it once more. Perhaps reconsider your decision on going to Essendon if it is just to save money on fuel. Moorabbin or other country strips have much, much cheaper rates which will likely save you in the long run. However Essendon is conveniently placed for public transport and whatnot. Before making any decision, go book a TIF, meet the CFI and get a good feel for the place. Speak to ex and present students. As for the schools you have listed, I've heard a mixed bag of opinions about Pearson's, interair seems expensive, much like NAT. Best of luck!!

[Biggles266]

I conducted my training at essendon and I still fly there.
I did my training with Pearsons and I hire from them as well.
Ask to speak to Guy Pearson, extremely knowledgable and helpful. He won't bull**** you just to get your business.

[VH-XXX]

Hi Jen,

Threads like this one don't usually last long here. They are usually tainted by disgruntled former customers and frequently operators of the schools register purely to provide favorable comments about their school and you will not get a valid reference.

If you were to ignore comments from say perhaps anyone with less than 10 posts you will be on your way.

Cheers and good luck sorting the good feedback from the bad.

[jas24zzk]

Jen,
+1 for pearsons. Mate of mine (former QANTAS Avionics tech) did his training there, and he stepped into jets about 3 months ago (has been a long road tho)

Essendon can be a little expensive, so you may want to think about broadening the airfields you would like to operate, tho essendon will give you a very solid foundation for operations in controlled airspace.

That being said, there is more to your decision than the schools reputation, a lot will come down to choice of instructor. If you don't like the first instructor you fly with, then it is not going to work. You might do as I did, and do your GFPT with one company, then go in search of an instructor you feel can best relate to you the student. There are no ground rules for this, but your heart/brain will tell you...i want to fly with this person....and him being cute rules him out

Good luck on your journey.

Jas

[GirlFlya]

Ok so I went in an checked out the schools, both seemed nice BUT it was so darn quiet, there was no one flying, no instructors around is it always this dead? In a way I guess this turns me off? There is no students flying?

[VH-XXX]

is it always this dead?

On the weekends yes and certainly not much better during the week.

[Wally Mk2]

Once upon a time EN was a busy place but costs, an unstable future in aviation & IT have all taken their toll on aviation as a career.

Guy (Pearson Aviation) did some of my flt training a million years ago, tough but fair.
Nat Aero I knew the 3 guys who first set that place up years ago,dynamic & hungry, don't really know what's the go there but they are survivors like Guy is at Pearson's Aviation. InterAir? Never got involved with them so can't say but basically if a flt training school can keep it's doors open in these hard times they gotta be doing something right.
If you don't mind traveling a bit am sure there are various flying schools further afield where savings can be sought & lets face it Jen most of the reason that EN was dead was due cost.

Best of luck, good to see there's still the fire of flight in some young ones eyes


Wmk2

[DK08]

Have you considered going to Moorabbin?

When i was looking for a school i looked at both Essendon and Moorabbin. I eventually chose Moorabbin, i think it's definitely worth looking at a couple of schools over there.

DK

[Biggles266]

Essendon is a bit quiet in regards to students but plenty of other traffic with Polair, GAM, Air Ambulance, RFDS and all the Execujet companies. It's a really good environment to learn in, controlled airspace and a much more simple RWY and taxiway setup compared to MB an far less students. And realistically who would you rather share your airspace with, more students or experienced professionals....?
But like the other peeps on here have said, look around. You do need to find what is right for yourself.

[baswell]

What's the landing/tower fees like now at MEN, $70?

You could log 0.5 for that at a country airstrip.

Unless you are made of money and over the course of your studies are happy to unnecessarily waste over ten grand on these charges, I don't see why anyone would want to train at Essendon.

Not to mention the wasted time in delays. Yeah, you can log them, but are you learning anything?

With the savings you could rent a unit near one of the more affordable airfields...

[training wheels]

If you're looking for a country aerodrome out that way west of Melbourne, here's one option. I have no idea about the quality of training there, but have passed the airfield a few times so know about its existence. Their rates are quite attractive too, about $100 less than what they're charging at Essendon.

[GirlFlya]

So I have had a look around at Moorabbin.

At Essendon it was 315 duel and 230 solo ( including landing fees)
At Moorabbin it varied from 280-300-320 Depending on how old the aircraft are???

I don't see why Essendon concidered expensive? Or am I missing
Something?

Thanks!!
Jen

[DK08]

When I was looking around I got quoted up to $90,000 at essendon! and $74,000 at moorabbin.
Also, the training area for moorabbin is right next to the airport. With essendon you have to go all the way to point cook.

[Bear Grylls]

You have to consider the aircraft as well Girlflya. For example, those rates at Moorabbin may be for a 152, though at Essendon, those rates may be for a 172 or PA28 etc. Therefore the extra costs may be justified if you are after a nicer piece of kit.

The situation may in reversal as well, further justification for your eventual decision.

Though, whether it is a 152 or 172, aircraft type doesn't really matter at the earlier stages of training. It may be something you should consider however when justifying rates.

[baswell]

I don't see why Essendon concidered expensive? Or am I missing
Something?

Yes, the landing (and tower!) fees not included in those prices. (See my post above) Much higher at Essendon.

In any case, Moorabin is also too expensive if you ask me. There are plenty of much more affordable places where they teach you to fly an aircraft much the same. If you are lucky you'll even end up being instructed all the way by an older person that's seen it all, rather than a pimply faced youth trying to build hours to get to Qantas...

PS: it's dual with an "a". Although some students do end up having a bit of a duel with their instructors, I guess.

[peterc005]

Last bill I got for landing at YMEN was $40, I think the same fee at YMMB is $10.

Moorabbin is a much friendlier and easier place to train.

[Biggles266]

I can't speak for everyone at Essendon but when I trained with Pearsons the landing fees were already factored into the hire rates, there were no extra chargers on top.
They have C172's and a PA-44 Seminolle. A few are fitted out with Efis but the others are pretty standard, not as flashy as some of the glass cockpits down at MB but nice aircraft all the same.

[Tee Emm]

I have no idea about the quality of training there,

A one man band flying school where the CFI/CP/LAME/maintenance manager and airfield owner is one and the same individual. A small white dog and lots of CCTV cameras provide airfield security

[GirlFlya]

At Pearsons I was told Dual $315 and Solo $230 and included all landing fees at Essendon and point cook?

Is that not competitive? With schools at Moorabbin?