Ad Astral Aviation in Perth
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Ad Astral Aviation in Perth
Hi all ppruners,
I am deciding whether I should do my mecir at Ad Astral in Perth or Johnston aviation. Has any of you ever heard of or trained at Ad Astral Aviation?
If any of you have, can you comment on the school in terms of training, instructors, and the cost? Both places told me that it would take about six weeks to finish the course. It just sounds a bit unrealistic to me. How can anyone finish Meir in six weeks?
Any comments would appreciated.
Cheers
I am deciding whether I should do my mecir at Ad Astral in Perth or Johnston aviation. Has any of you ever heard of or trained at Ad Astral Aviation?
If any of you have, can you comment on the school in terms of training, instructors, and the cost? Both places told me that it would take about six weeks to finish the course. It just sounds a bit unrealistic to me. How can anyone finish Meir in six weeks?
Any comments would appreciated.
Cheers
Sorry cant personally comment about either operator first hand, but depending on your experience level, I dont think 6 weeks is unreasonable at all? I comfortably did the flying component of it full time in 4 weeks. Self study for IREX about 2 weeks.
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Did my Instrument Rating a few years ago at Ad Astral.
On time and on budget.
Flew the program exactly as planned.
Very impressed. Have used them for a few renewals as well.
Thumbs up from me.
W1
On time and on budget.
Flew the program exactly as planned.
Very impressed. Have used them for a few renewals as well.
Thumbs up from me.
W1
You will have no problems.
These days you are paying for ad-astral the brand as opposed to ad-astral the product.
When we all went through the system you flew with RM, he was tough and you knew how to keep yourself out of trouble when you finished.
These days you are taught by whipper snappers from China Southern who have migrated across.
While the product is still good, you are paying for the brand and ad-astral on your resume.
Chances are if you're looking at employment west side, the company check captains/chief pilots you will be interviewed by did their IR with RM. This means you are part of the club.
It's worth the money and they have a good reputation, but it's certainly not flying around in a duchy with RM like it was ten years ago.
Then again, this is the case everywhere these days. No real experience in the lower ranks of flight instructors anymore
These days you are paying for ad-astral the brand as opposed to ad-astral the product.
When we all went through the system you flew with RM, he was tough and you knew how to keep yourself out of trouble when you finished.
These days you are taught by whipper snappers from China Southern who have migrated across.
While the product is still good, you are paying for the brand and ad-astral on your resume.
Chances are if you're looking at employment west side, the company check captains/chief pilots you will be interviewed by did their IR with RM. This means you are part of the club.
It's worth the money and they have a good reputation, but it's certainly not flying around in a duchy with RM like it was ten years ago.
Then again, this is the case everywhere these days. No real experience in the lower ranks of flight instructors anymore
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I've just recently completed my MECIR with Ad Astral and would happily recommend them. I came in on cost and completed it within a 5 week timeframe, including both Duchy's in for maintenance at the same time, then I got sick for half a week. So 6 weeks should be a safe timeline estimate. Did my training with a few of the junior guys but found them to be great, both knowledge wise and keen. Time over again and I'd still chose them and will likely end up doing renewals there in the future.
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Ad Astral for my money
Did my CIR with them 17 years ago with RM and if the new guys hold his standard you won't have a problem. They probably wouldn't be as funny as him though. I remember him teaching me NDB intercepts onto an arc and sprouting also sorts of trigonometry then when he saw the look on my face he said " If that doesn't work, try TLAR. With me being more befuddled he explained "point in the general direction until That Looks About Right!"
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Do they have ground school as well or it is all self study?
How is the IREX theory exam?
Did the weather affect your training much at all since it is all IFR?
How often do you get to fly and do you have to go to school every day?
Did it take you a long time to get used to the procedure and airport during your training? I actually did my CPL training in South Australia, I am a bit worried that it might take me sometime to get used to it.
Cheers
How is the IREX theory exam?
Did the weather affect your training much at all since it is all IFR?
How often do you get to fly and do you have to go to school every day?
Did it take you a long time to get used to the procedure and airport during your training? I actually did my CPL training in South Australia, I am a bit worried that it might take me sometime to get used to it.
Cheers
Did it with Ad Astral early 90s - have the best pedigree in the country if you know about RM. I was lucky to have RC who was straight from 2 OCU, RM who was previously CO at Pearce and AA - an ex Mirage pilot. This was a classy outfit!
Still reflect on the training 20 years later...
Still reflect on the training 20 years later...
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Perth airport as I understand is a major domestic airport. Does this factor affect the amount of time in the air since there could be a lot of traffic coming in and out? I need to do my night flying as well. How would at do this at an airport this since? I just can't imagine doing solo night circuit when there is a big jet coming in! Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers
Cheers
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How would at do this at an airport this since? I just can't imagine doing solo night circuit when there is a big jet coming in!
Great fun!
Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers
Cheers
I believe you have to have 5 hours night circuits and 2 or 3 hours night nav for a CIR, if you don't have a NVFR you have to do that as part of IFR. It's in the CAO requirements for the rating
They won't start the course with you until you already have those 5 command hours at night, or have plans to get them immediately.
Most guys get a 150 and flog around the circuit at JT for 5 hours or so.....
Most guys get a 150 and flog around the circuit at JT for 5 hours or so.....
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That is true. I just got the response from them "we can do some of the flying component at night during your training. This is only intended to give you 2-3 hours to help pad out the 10hours required for your MECIR test. Unfortunately we do not have the means to do night flying or even solo as our aircraft is not insured for solo students, so you may have to go to a flying school at Jandakot to build your night time up there in the circuit area." They also ask me to pay up front $17,000 in one go and there is no ground school. I think that is a bit risky paying that amount of money. Are there any other good schools that do MECIR beside Johnston Aviation? How is Johnston anyway in terms of training, cost, accommodation, aircraft, length of training and aircraft?
Cheers
Cheers
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I have had nothing to do with Ad Astral, they do have a very good reputation.
Johnson's on the other hand, I completed my Instrument Rating there, they provide accommodation, its in a Baron in a quiet airport, there are all the approaches you will need near by.
PMQ is a lovely town, lots of great things to do after hours.
Jamie, Anne and their first born Kev are awesome people.
I would personally avoid big aerodromes, Perth specifically, I'm not saying that because Ad Astral are there, again they have a very good reputation. Perth is a very very busy airport.
Johnson's on the other hand, I completed my Instrument Rating there, they provide accommodation, its in a Baron in a quiet airport, there are all the approaches you will need near by.
PMQ is a lovely town, lots of great things to do after hours.
Jamie, Anne and their first born Kev are awesome people.
I would personally avoid big aerodromes, Perth specifically, I'm not saying that because Ad Astral are there, again they have a very good reputation. Perth is a very very busy airport.
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How would at do this at an airport this since? I just can't imagine doing solo night circuit when there is a big jet coming in! Hrhr... I did that in Germany all day for PPL/NVFR... not only at night, that's how I learned flying 
Great fun!
Quote:
Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers
doubt it
Great fun!Quote:
Is there an accommodation nearby that is within a walking distance from Ad Astral?
Cheers
doubt it
As for the upfront payment (and to be honest I'm suprised they've asked for it). I dont care how good they are, do not pay 17K upfront.
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Now they told me a different thing. "we ask for a $500 deposit to confirm the course start date then a $3000 fee upon starting to cover the training. Once you have passed the flight test then the account is then finalised."
First they told me I got to pay up front now (17,000) now they told me I can pay $3,000 the first week then pay the rest after I am done with the course. What the heck? It sounds a bit fishy to me. I am not saying that the school is bad or anything but it is just funny how they can give me two different answers in such a short time.
First they told me I got to pay up front now (17,000) now they told me I can pay $3,000 the first week then pay the rest after I am done with the course. What the heck? It sounds a bit fishy to me. I am not saying that the school is bad or anything but it is just funny how they can give me two different answers in such a short time.
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I would not pay for anything, especially in aviation, "up front".
In the past this demand was made of me, I said no and I settled my account every Friday morning.
Do not pay for anything "up front", ever ( especially in aviation ).
In the past this demand was made of me, I said no and I settled my account every Friday morning.
Do not pay for anything "up front", ever ( especially in aviation ).