Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 129
From: melbourne
Skipping a PPL
Lose the opportunity to put 2 mates in an aeroplane. Equally cost share on your solo navs and knock 2/3 off the price of the aircraft.
The PPL theory exam offers a good opportunity for you to assess your strong and week areas prior to tackling the individual CPL subjects.
Exposure to an additional flight test may help to expose you to the test regime and go someway to reducing subsequent test pressure.
Can add on a night rating and do your solo hours at night as part of your solo hours requirement. could result in you being eligible for an ATPL years earlier. (hard to get night command for many new starters in the industry)
An opportunity for a testing officer to identify your weaker areas and you can consolidate those on the way to a CPL
Could miss out on an opportunity to ferry an aircraft for a few hours
Wont have a licence to flash at the girls until a lot later
The PPL theory exam offers a good opportunity for you to assess your strong and week areas prior to tackling the individual CPL subjects.
Exposure to an additional flight test may help to expose you to the test regime and go someway to reducing subsequent test pressure.
Can add on a night rating and do your solo hours at night as part of your solo hours requirement. could result in you being eligible for an ATPL years earlier. (hard to get night command for many new starters in the industry)
An opportunity for a testing officer to identify your weaker areas and you can consolidate those on the way to a CPL
Could miss out on an opportunity to ferry an aircraft for a few hours
Wont have a licence to flash at the girls until a lot later
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 180
Likes: 2
From: S16 47.2'
Glenn has nailed it there on the last line, because the reason we become pilots is to impress the girls right? (Or blokes for the ladies)
Other noteworthy points, without a PPL you wouldn't be unable to wear any bars on your solo nav's
And you would be unable to say that you are a pilot every time someone said hello on your morning walk of 30+ min 3 days a week that you tell CASA about each year.
On a serious note ild sit it, it's a nice part way achievement to keep it interesting if nothing more, personally I've never used it but was worthwhile.
Other noteworthy points, without a PPL you wouldn't be unable to wear any bars on your solo nav's
And you would be unable to say that you are a pilot every time someone said hello on your morning walk of 30+ min 3 days a week that you tell CASA about each year.
On a serious note ild sit it, it's a nice part way achievement to keep it interesting if nothing more, personally I've never used it but was worthwhile.
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 2
From: EARTH
BASAIR
Has anyone trained with Basair on the VET programs? Any thoughts, tips or items to look out for (from your experience), apart from the obvious ones, before signing up to the course? Tossing up between FTA and Basair.
I've gone through some of the old threads on this but they would be out of date. Looking for a more current insight from recent grads.
I've gone through some of the old threads on this but they would be out of date. Looking for a more current insight from recent grads.
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 215
Likes: 69
From: In God's Country
As glenb has stated above...
There are many reasons why going through the PPL flight test step is beneficial and for mine, the cost is very minor and well worth it. The more exposure to an assessment regime the better, when you're starting out.
Further, I would offer that if at all possible, avoid VET Fee help. My observation is that, despite the platitudes offered by the large colleges offering this, you simply become a source of approx $100K to them - they will want to grab that money as quickly as possible and shovel you out the door. Granted, most likely with a CPL, but with bare minimum training / effort on their part and for this you will suffer when looking for a first job. Better you find a school that you feel comfortable with that does not purport to be an "airline training academy". It will be a relaxed, low key company with instructors that focus on the delivery of quality training (not mass management of large course groups) and should allow you to take the journey through training as quickly (or slowly) as you like and can afford.
There are many reasons why going through the PPL flight test step is beneficial and for mine, the cost is very minor and well worth it. The more exposure to an assessment regime the better, when you're starting out.
Further, I would offer that if at all possible, avoid VET Fee help. My observation is that, despite the platitudes offered by the large colleges offering this, you simply become a source of approx $100K to them - they will want to grab that money as quickly as possible and shovel you out the door. Granted, most likely with a CPL, but with bare minimum training / effort on their part and for this you will suffer when looking for a first job. Better you find a school that you feel comfortable with that does not purport to be an "airline training academy". It will be a relaxed, low key company with instructors that focus on the delivery of quality training (not mass management of large course groups) and should allow you to take the journey through training as quickly (or slowly) as you like and can afford.
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,403
Likes: 84
From: Brisbane, Qld
jjhews, you might try posting this in The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions section if you want a response, also try waiting more than half a day, people are probably at work and tend not to get on until the evening.
Dunnunda Fleet Manager
Joined: Jan 1996
Posts: 8,203
Likes: 887
From: Utopia
Has anyone trained with Basair on the VET programs? Any thoughts, tips or items to look out for (from your experience), apart from the obvious ones, before signing up to the course? Tossing up between FTA and Basair.
I've gone through some of the old threads on this but they would be out of date. Looking for a more current insight from recent grads.
I've gone through some of the old threads on this but they would be out of date. Looking for a more current insight from recent grads.
PPRuNe Forums - Search Results
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: San Diego/London
What's really annoying is when a thread gets hijacked with:
"Hey, I have no idea about this profession, but I'd like to get all the information right now as it relates specifically to me.
- Here is my background--
-Will I be paid well?
- Do you think I'm too old?
- What's the likelihood of me finding work?
Thanks guys"
Just, stop.
"Hey, I have no idea about this profession, but I'd like to get all the information right now as it relates specifically to me.
- Here is my background--
-Will I be paid well?
- Do you think I'm too old?
- What's the likelihood of me finding work?
Thanks guys"
Just, stop.
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane
Hi everyone. I feel like I was in all your shoes about 10 years ago. I remember writing on here asking where I should look for my first job and with resounding "Kununurra" as most of the replies, I packing my bags at the age of 18 I managed to gain a job about 5 months after setting myself in the Kimberley.
If you would like help in choosing a flying school, finding a first job, what it's like in the industry or have any other questions, please don't hesitate to PM me. I'd be happy to help out.
Cheers
If you would like help in choosing a flying school, finding a first job, what it's like in the industry or have any other questions, please don't hesitate to PM me. I'd be happy to help out.
Cheers
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Instruction/charter - looking for work
Hi, I'm looking for work and am prepared to go anywhere in Australia but would like some insight from the experiences of others that have been in my position in order to help me make sound choices now to set me up for my long term goal.
Goal: I love GA and would love to stay in GA for the foreseeable with my long term sights set on Air Ambulance/RFDS or other aeromedical group.
Current basic qualifications:
>Australian CPL and MECIR (current with recent command IFR)
>Grade 3 instructor rating
>Approx 300hrs TT (incl. some C210 time)
>HR truck license
>Registered Nurse
My options as I see them are to pursue instructing or charter or possibly a mix. I have been told that hours as an instructor are looked upon less favourably than those spent in charter. What are your thoughts on which path is the best in terms of my own development and experience as well as setting me up best for my goal as stated above? Perhaps some of you have been in this situation and could offer some insight.
Many thanks,
Reuben
Goal: I love GA and would love to stay in GA for the foreseeable with my long term sights set on Air Ambulance/RFDS or other aeromedical group.
Current basic qualifications:
>Australian CPL and MECIR (current with recent command IFR)
>Grade 3 instructor rating
>Approx 300hrs TT (incl. some C210 time)
>HR truck license
>Registered Nurse
My options as I see them are to pursue instructing or charter or possibly a mix. I have been told that hours as an instructor are looked upon less favourably than those spent in charter. What are your thoughts on which path is the best in terms of my own development and experience as well as setting me up best for my goal as stated above? Perhaps some of you have been in this situation and could offer some insight.
Many thanks,
Reuben
Last edited by ReubenM; 28th February 2016 at 08:47.
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Which flying school?
I have a PPL and am looking to go on and finish my CPL and MECIR.
I'm currently torn between ADFA, Redcliffe Aero club, RACWA, Thunderbirds or Basair/Sydney aviators. Has anyone been to any of these schools recently?
I'm an international student and don't really have the option of going in for a visit. I have rang them up and had lovely phone conversations with each one of them. Does anyone have any advice? Cheers!
I'm currently torn between ADFA, Redcliffe Aero club, RACWA, Thunderbirds or Basair/Sydney aviators. Has anyone been to any of these schools recently?
I'm an international student and don't really have the option of going in for a visit. I have rang them up and had lovely phone conversations with each one of them. Does anyone have any advice? Cheers!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Australia
Top flying schools
I am looking for latest reviews of some of Australia's best flight schools. This is for any international students looking to get the most of their flying in Australia. I have purposely left out organisations that work with cadets, as those interested in cadet programmes wouldn't really be interested in such a thread anyway.
I personally have a PPL and am now looking to move on to CPL and MECIR.
I am currently researching and looking in to these schools -
Aero dynamic Flight academy
Redcliffe Aero Club
Basair Aviation College/Sydney Aviators
Royal Aero Club of WA
Thunderbirds Aero Service
If anyone could help me review these schools I would be very grateful and it would help me greatly in making an informed decision.
Cheers!
I personally have a PPL and am now looking to move on to CPL and MECIR.
I am currently researching and looking in to these schools -
Aero dynamic Flight academy
Redcliffe Aero Club
Basair Aviation College/Sydney Aviators
Royal Aero Club of WA
Thunderbirds Aero Service
If anyone could help me review these schools I would be very grateful and it would help me greatly in making an informed decision.
Cheers!
