ICUS

[johnwells3366]

Hi all,

I have searched this thread on the past few years and made the move up to Darwin with only a bare 150 hour CPL.

I knew it was not enough hours, but the pay is much better up while I save for my MECIR and you never who might bump into. After knocking on all the doors like suggested and not making it past the reception I finally have nearly enough for MECIR.

My problem which im sure many others have had is even after my MECIR ill still only have like 175ish hours. Still not the 200+ that will get me past reception.

People have suggested ICUS but like I said I cant get past the receptionist and obviously nobody in aviation replys to emails.

Anybody out there RECENTLY have any luck with finding any ICUS? I am prepared to move pretty much any place.

Or how have people recently got those extra 20-30 hours?

Thanks in advnace

[seneca208]

Hunt around before doing your MECIR. If you go to the right places, you may be offered ICUS and even a job.

[johnwells3366]

Thats what I was hoping for Ben. Emailing a few places now. As I am paying customer im hoping ill actually get some replies this time.

Any suggestions? PM me if you need

[solowflyer]

Do extra endos and ratings such as night, aerobatics, tail dragger, low level, Meir don't wast coin on ICUS you will get plent of time later on down the track doing line training etc. Make yourself stand out from the rest.

[johnwells3366]

Thats what I was hoping for Ben, any suggestions?

Yeah I know I need to stand out, but the budget is very very tight so any hours that are not costing me $$$ is a massive help.

Just the usual poor CPL story I guess haha

[solowflyer]

We all know the pain but your on the right tract just stick with it and keep lnoking on those doors. Go get your bus license and forklift ticket go see mark air and the others out of jabiru may get foot in door as the rampy

[iPahlot]

Have you tried operators outside of Darwin?

As mentioned Kakadu Air is one, though they usually look for around 350+. AAA, Gumbys, Katherine Av, Lajumanu Air etc etc All of these have been known to take on green pilots.

The majority of the operators operate their twins VFR, as far as I know only Chartair, Hardys and JFC actually operate their twins IFR.

Offer to wash planes, clean hangers, drive buses (get your LR and H endorsement) etc and you never know what sort of start you may get. I know someone who was just a baggage chucker for an RPT outfit and got a job on a turbo prop because the bosses took a liking to him.

[slave_driver]

How do you get the 25-30hrs? I did a few private (cost shared) flights out to lake eyre and Alice Springs with acquaintances and some strangers I met around the traps.

[triathlon]

Go fly at a drop zone to get hrs

[johnwells3366]

Yeah some private flights looks like it will be the go.

I could not find a drop zone who was interested with anything less that 200 hours

[compressor stall]

Look beyond Darwin to places mentioned above.

[johnwells3366]

Yeah I drove up and hit places along the way to try my luck. Thats when I discovered it was a 0% chance instead of small chance with my lack of hours lol

I only settled in Darwin as I had free accommodation and a high paying job.

Apart from dropping my resume in a couple of times around town I have mostly been keeping my eyes and ears open further abroad as I know my first job most likely wont be in Darwin

[autoflight]

JW,
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