Junior GR3 a waste?
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Location: Oz
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Junior GR3 a waste?
A number of months ago now I completed my instructor rating, however unfortunately due to business reasons the school I did it with was unable to offer me a position. Since then I've found the search to be utterly fruitless and I'm starting to feel as though all of the time, effort and money I put into it was a waste - each time I've applied or enquired (and I'm entirely willing to move to any city in Australia, so I'm not limiting my options), it's the same answer - "nothing available" or "sorry, we're only looking for grade 2 and above".
Becoming very frustrating as I've been extremely keen to start work (I'd wash the planes and answer the phones all day long just for an hour or two flight time and award pay) but at this stage I'm almost thinking I should have saved my $15k+ and headed north, as it seems a junior grade 3 rating is next to useless in increasing employability anyway. How can you possibly get any instruction hours to get rid of the 'junior' if nobody will hire you in the first place
Appreciate any tips from the instructors here, and I'm sure there's a lot, who've been through similar situations.
Becoming very frustrating as I've been extremely keen to start work (I'd wash the planes and answer the phones all day long just for an hour or two flight time and award pay) but at this stage I'm almost thinking I should have saved my $15k+ and headed north, as it seems a junior grade 3 rating is next to useless in increasing employability anyway. How can you possibly get any instruction hours to get rid of the 'junior' if nobody will hire you in the first place
Appreciate any tips from the instructors here, and I'm sure there's a lot, who've been through similar situations.
If you're in QLD try the 2 wing RAAF Cadets.
They have their own AOC (all others contract out) and you'll make some good contacts for down the track as well. Its voluntary, but you get accomodated and fed while you're there. Mess prices are pretty good for socialising after.
Where are you located?
They have their own AOC (all others contract out) and you'll make some good contacts for down the track as well. Its voluntary, but you get accomodated and fed while you're there. Mess prices are pretty good for socialising after.
Where are you located?
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Took me less than 30 seconds to find this one, Im sure there are others...
Basair currently has positions available for:
Grade III Instructors
The minimum requirements for any candidate to be eligible for a position as a Grade III instructor are;
A current Australian Commercial Pilot Licence
A current Austrailan Flight Instructor Rating
A current Night VFR or Command Instrument Rating.
Eligible candidates should fill in the online application form.
Basair currently has positions available for:
Grade III Instructors
The minimum requirements for any candidate to be eligible for a position as a Grade III instructor are;
A current Australian Commercial Pilot Licence
A current Austrailan Flight Instructor Rating
A current Night VFR or Command Instrument Rating.
Eligible candidates should fill in the online application form.
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Thanks for the suggestion guys.
system.of.a.down - Thanks, that one must be a new update - I sent in my details about a month ago to Basair though, no response thus far, however have just resubmitted just in case. Also walked through the door to speak to them (I'm located in Sydney) and was told by the bloke manning the front desk that he was a junior GR3 also and had been performing that role for the past few months, waiting for them to give him an opportunity to fly a plane rather than a desk... nonetheless, thanks again for the heads up there, hopefully that will present some sort of opportunity.
system.of.a.down - Thanks, that one must be a new update - I sent in my details about a month ago to Basair though, no response thus far, however have just resubmitted just in case. Also walked through the door to speak to them (I'm located in Sydney) and was told by the bloke manning the front desk that he was a junior GR3 also and had been performing that role for the past few months, waiting for them to give him an opportunity to fly a plane rather than a desk... nonetheless, thanks again for the heads up there, hopefully that will present some sort of opportunity.
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Maybe try for an RA-Aus instructing position at first and move back to GA later.
It could open a few doors for you are there are quite a number of schools that offer both disciplines.
There are many successful jet-jockeys out there that took that exact route successfully.
It could open a few doors for you are there are quite a number of schools that offer both disciplines.
There are many successful jet-jockeys out there that took that exact route successfully.
Nunc est bibendum
The AAFC in 2WG tend to only take people on personal recommendations and the majority of their Grade IIIs have significant commercial or military experience- sometimes both. Very rare for a junior Grade III to crack it there without having come through the system. They have a very, very strict 'no dickheads' rule too which is nice to see.
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Similar thing happened to me 20 odd years ago.
Did the G3 rating. Carrots dangled and insinuations made. At completion a complete change in repore - "sure you can work for us - you will be expected to man the desk - but that will not be at our cost. You can use our AOC but you will have to bring in your own students."
Unfortunately - I had been completely had. Too young, trusting and nieve.
Spent a couple of months working nights in restaurants whilst sniffing for work and doing ATPL subjects by day.
As soon as ATPL subjects done - packed bags and went west. Things started moving in the right direction once I took that path.....
As it turns out - several years later one employer down the track found out that I had a lapsed G3 and paid for me to renew it, with the condition that I do a little bit of instructing here and there for them apart from the other duties. Worked out to be the perfect timing and I really enjoyed it......a little bit more experienced and mature, doing just a little bit of instructing here and there........they were all still trying to kill me but it wasn't in a Traumahawk or 152 Peddalcart.
Did the G3 rating. Carrots dangled and insinuations made. At completion a complete change in repore - "sure you can work for us - you will be expected to man the desk - but that will not be at our cost. You can use our AOC but you will have to bring in your own students."
Unfortunately - I had been completely had. Too young, trusting and nieve.
Spent a couple of months working nights in restaurants whilst sniffing for work and doing ATPL subjects by day.
As soon as ATPL subjects done - packed bags and went west. Things started moving in the right direction once I took that path.....
As it turns out - several years later one employer down the track found out that I had a lapsed G3 and paid for me to renew it, with the condition that I do a little bit of instructing here and there for them apart from the other duties. Worked out to be the perfect timing and I really enjoyed it......a little bit more experienced and mature, doing just a little bit of instructing here and there........they were all still trying to kill me but it wasn't in a Traumahawk or 152 Peddalcart.
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I have a heap of instructing, no bites until after the rating expired, I can't work that one out, now I can't afford to renew the meta etc. No one is interested in upgrading as part of the employment deal either. It's all about right place, right time and right face !
Last edited by DeltaT; 20th Feb 2012 at 19:33.
