Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)
Dunnunda Fleet Manager
Joined: Jan 1996
Posts: 8,203
Likes: 887
From: Utopia
Also posted in the PPRuNe, Canadian Forum a couple of days ago:
Don't you think you should be deciding where you want to go and what you want to do before asking these questions? 
I am Swedish but planning to become a commercial pilot in Canada (Vancouver area preferably) and settle down there. I have a BIG dilemma though! I'm not sure what type of aircraft to choose?!
I've flown a helicopter R22, a cessna 150/172 and a piper supercub (float). Enjoyed all of them equally!!! (No license yet)
I've flown a helicopter R22, a cessna 150/172 and a piper supercub (float). Enjoyed all of them equally!!! (No license yet)
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: stockholm
sorry what do you mean?
I’m asking because I can see myself flying both heli and airplane commercially, therefore it would be smarter to pick the one with more job opportunities.. Canada and Australia I’ve been told is the better market for both!
so I kinda have to ask about “where” and “what”..
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 396
Likes: 0
From: Currently: A landlocked country with high terrain, otherwise Melbourne, Australia + Washington D.C.
You'll probably get more flyable days in Perth, but Melbourne might have a busier airspace and therefore have more learning value (apologies if I offended anyone and happy to be corrected if I'm wrong). That being said however, I'm assuming you'll be doing this full time so the weather won't actually be that much of a problem, whether you train in Perth or Melbourne. Because you're doing this full time, you'll be hanging around at the school filling gaps in between flying by learning the material for the written exams. Therefore I'd be looking to add other factors into your decision making process, the city definitely being an important one. Here again, I think you'll find that Melbourne is a much larger city than Perth, and as such has more to offer to young people.
Choosing a school itself has been the subject of many threads on pprune so you should have no trouble finding the answers you're after using the search tool. I can't speak much about schools in Perth but when it comes to those based in Moorabbin, be wary of marketing, shiny looks and seemingly cheap rates. There's no free lunch and you get what you pay for. Ask yourself what type of aircraft the school operates and whether they're the ones you'd want to fly in. Do your research by reading reviews, and talk to them directly. If you have the option to visit and do a trial flight with a couple of them, that'll give you some real insights into what to expect. Finally if you want to mitigate the risk of being stuck with a school you're dissatisfied with, use the fact that you can get a RPL (both for fixed and rotary wings) after some 25-30 hours and change schools to carry on with your PPL. There might be some visa considerations to observe but that's an option that would give you more freedom. If you're happy with your school, you may as well skip the RPL and go straight for the PPL.
I've had positive impressions of a school operating a fleet of Cirrus. Not the cheapest option in town by any standard but I highly liked that they charge on flight switch (as opposed to engine as most schools do) which is more conducive to learning because you won't rush your run-up checks and won't stress if you have to wait for 20' at the holding point. If you were charged on engine time, you'd be spending around 20% of your budget on ground time at a large class D airport like Bankstown or Moorabbin. Lastly they're not cheap but they have very experienced instructors and, with all due respect, there's a strong chance that you'll learn heaps more from a 50 year old instructor who's been flying for 25 years than a 22 year old who just got his instructor rating (again, no offence, I've been instructed very well by junior instructors). Other schools that operate a mix of Pipers and Cessnas have a solid reputation. Then you have a range of newer schools that operate lighter aircraft in both GA and RA. I can't say much about those and only time will tell how successful they are.
Choosing a school itself has been the subject of many threads on pprune so you should have no trouble finding the answers you're after using the search tool. I can't speak much about schools in Perth but when it comes to those based in Moorabbin, be wary of marketing, shiny looks and seemingly cheap rates. There's no free lunch and you get what you pay for. Ask yourself what type of aircraft the school operates and whether they're the ones you'd want to fly in. Do your research by reading reviews, and talk to them directly. If you have the option to visit and do a trial flight with a couple of them, that'll give you some real insights into what to expect. Finally if you want to mitigate the risk of being stuck with a school you're dissatisfied with, use the fact that you can get a RPL (both for fixed and rotary wings) after some 25-30 hours and change schools to carry on with your PPL. There might be some visa considerations to observe but that's an option that would give you more freedom. If you're happy with your school, you may as well skip the RPL and go straight for the PPL.
I've had positive impressions of a school operating a fleet of Cirrus. Not the cheapest option in town by any standard but I highly liked that they charge on flight switch (as opposed to engine as most schools do) which is more conducive to learning because you won't rush your run-up checks and won't stress if you have to wait for 20' at the holding point. If you were charged on engine time, you'd be spending around 20% of your budget on ground time at a large class D airport like Bankstown or Moorabbin. Lastly they're not cheap but they have very experienced instructors and, with all due respect, there's a strong chance that you'll learn heaps more from a 50 year old instructor who's been flying for 25 years than a 22 year old who just got his instructor rating (again, no offence, I've been instructed very well by junior instructors). Other schools that operate a mix of Pipers and Cessnas have a solid reputation. Then you have a range of newer schools that operate lighter aircraft in both GA and RA. I can't say much about those and only time will tell how successful they are.
Last edited by Okihara; 28th March 2019 at 16:07.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,960
Likes: 17
From: Australia
Mirimis,
Perth, there are some good small schools at Jandakot (and I am not biased -- I am in Sydney) and as Perth is about as far as you can get from Fort Fumble (CASA HQ) things are generally (but not always) reasonably pragmatic.
Have you considered NZ, Canada or the US to start off ---- they all have their advantages, compared to Australia.
Tootle pip!!
Perth, there are some good small schools at Jandakot (and I am not biased -- I am in Sydney) and as Perth is about as far as you can get from Fort Fumble (CASA HQ) things are generally (but not always) reasonably pragmatic.
Have you considered NZ, Canada or the US to start off ---- they all have their advantages, compared to Australia.
Tootle pip!!
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: 🥝-land
Best place to complete PPL in New Zealand (2019)
Hi all, I've done about 70 hours of flight training in the US and now looking to finish my PPL in New Zealand. Any current recommendations for best flight schools?
There seems to be a good option in Wanaka where the scenery looks spectacular and the school seems really nice but they only have old non-fuel injected 172s. I would rather finish my training in a modern 172, or even better, something with modern avionics.
Any recommendations or tips most appreciated!
There seems to be a good option in Wanaka where the scenery looks spectacular and the school seems really nice but they only have old non-fuel injected 172s. I would rather finish my training in a modern 172, or even better, something with modern avionics.
Any recommendations or tips most appreciated!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: India
Flight School Recommendations in Melbourne, Australia
Hi folks, helping a relative shortlist Flight Schools in Melbourne, Australia for a Commercial Pilot Training Course. As of now, some of the schools that they're looking at are
1. MELBOURNE FLIGHT TRAINING
2. CAE OXFORD
3. SOAR AVIATION
4. LEARN TO FLY
5. ROYAL VICTORIAN AERO CLUB
Course duration's seem to vary from 12 months – 15 months.
And course fees also seem to vary considerably from school to school.
Any recommendations on any other flights schools apart from the above and info on the topic would be greatly appreciated
(Apologies if this is in the wrong forum)
1. MELBOURNE FLIGHT TRAINING
2. CAE OXFORD
3. SOAR AVIATION
4. LEARN TO FLY
5. ROYAL VICTORIAN AERO CLUB
Course duration's seem to vary from 12 months – 15 months.
And course fees also seem to vary considerably from school to school.
Any recommendations on any other flights schools apart from the above and info on the topic would be greatly appreciated
(Apologies if this is in the wrong forum)
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 297
From: Oz
MFT for Victoria. Ballarat they are based also. Glen is a good operator but the airport is a hole.
Perth and NQAC for abroad. The latter is highly regarded.
Everyone else run a mile. Two on the bottom part of that list especially.
Perth and NQAC for abroad. The latter is highly regarded.
Everyone else run a mile. Two on the bottom part of that list especially.
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 60
Likes: 5
From: Earth
I would give Busselton Aeroclub a look into in WA. Great weather and competitive prices. Also you could gain a commercial quicker but it’s dependent on you. Biggest problem people face is getting through the theory quick enough. That’s what usually stalled my students.
https://australianaviation.com.au/20...mit-from-2020/
Also takes this into account as it may provide some benefit to you.
Good luck
https://australianaviation.com.au/20...mit-from-2020/
Also takes this into account as it may provide some benefit to you.
Good luck
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 35
From: Vietnam
In the USA you can be done in 6-9 months. If you train in Australia on the East Coast 12 months is the norm due to weather and getting through all the exams.
If you have a choice between FAA or CASA I would take FAA.
If you have a choice between FAA or CASA I would take FAA.
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 60
Likes: 2
From: EARTH
Just a few things to be mindul of if picking Melbourne. If possible, I would recommend another state, WA or QLD with year-round sunshine and exclude VIC altogether. Waiting for good weather in Melbourne can extend your course by considerable time; from first hand experience. If you're on a student visa, this is a headache. Likely 6 months 9 months addtional. A non-defined course end date that keeps moving due to weather gets quite costly. Extentions on accomocation, living expenses - if you were expecting to be done in 15 months - all get blown out.
If your relative must definitelty come to Melbourne, I trained at CAE and can only speak for my experience there; you're free to message me.
Goodluck
If your relative must definitelty come to Melbourne, I trained at CAE and can only speak for my experience there; you're free to message me.
Goodluck
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Limping on my RPL
Hello,
I got my RPL several months ago and had intended to start working on my PPL late last year but due to some personal obligations, I had to postpone starting my navigation training several times. I'm currently scheduled to start that training later this month but again, due to other obligations pulling at my financial resources, I suspect that at some point I will have to pause training yet again thus stay on the RPL for longer. To try and keep myself proficient I've been going up with an instructor for a hour or so every couple weeks.
So I've got a couple of questions;
I got my RPL several months ago and had intended to start working on my PPL late last year but due to some personal obligations, I had to postpone starting my navigation training several times. I'm currently scheduled to start that training later this month but again, due to other obligations pulling at my financial resources, I suspect that at some point I will have to pause training yet again thus stay on the RPL for longer. To try and keep myself proficient I've been going up with an instructor for a hour or so every couple weeks.
So I've got a couple of questions;
- How can a person like me with an RPL and without a navigation endorsement easily rent an aircraft in the Melbourne area (YMMB) at a decent price wet/dry? A quick search says most require PPL + some significant PIC time, both of which I don't have. Currently renting from my flying school but that is on the high side.
- Should I stick with the DA40 (w/G1000 glass cockpit/manual prop)? I currently fly the DA40 and despite loving the plane and finding it easy to handle, it is on the higher side from a cost perspective. The only other planes I've flown are Foxbats + Sling2s. I'd prefer not to fly light sport but I'm considering converting to another GA aircraft if the cost savings are significant enough. What GA aircraft would fit the bill?
- Should I join RaaAus or AOPA Australia? I was with RaaAus but I cancelled that membership as I wasn't finding a lot of value. I looked at AOPA as well and the benefits are vaguely listed on their site. Ultimately I'm looking at ways to keep up with what's happening in the aviation community and hopefully find some mentors as I slowly work towards my PPL.
- Is it worth joining aero clubs? If so which are the decent ones in Melbourne?
- In the event that I stay on an RPL for the rest of the year, are there great places to fly out of in the Melbourne area without busting the 25nm limit?
- Any recommendations for PPL practice exams?
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: India