Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)

[Jeffory]

So over 20,000 people typed in their email address and clicked submit? Each and everyone of them must be 100% committed to reaching for the stars at the academy.

[Far Canel]

And the insrtructors are coming from were?

[yellokiwi]

Need advice on progression after flight school - NZ

Hi,

I live in NZ and am currently at a flight school completing my CPL (ATPL diploma).

I would like some advice from people who have already gone through this or maybe know people that were on the same boat as me.

This year, I'm turning 29 years old and I'm also married. Due to my age and marital status, I would like to know what the best option or path is into getting a job at an airline flying jets. My current idea is to finish flight school, become an instructor and gain the hours required, from there hopefully landing a job flying turboprops with airnz. This however would take another 2-3 years after becoming a flight instructor and how many years on turboprops until I get onto the jets. Are there any options going overseas after graduating flight school with only 250 hrs? (maybe second officer with cathay but repaying student loan would be impossible right) Can paying for my own way into getting 500 hrs be an alternative route than becoming a flight instructor? (I do have financial support from my parents and my wife if this was the case). I'm just worried not landing a job at this point would have huge consequences since I wouldn't have a job and would have to spend more money to become a flight instructor and wait it out. Would airlines even hire someone with no real job experience but with 500+ hrs (including other minimums like multi engine hrs etc).

I am open to relocating to a different country if options are out there and is a faster route into getting a job at a major airline than the current plan. I'm Korean by the way and have seen regional ads for 250hrs but I don't know the jargons in korean and since I won't be considered an expat I doubt the conversations would happen in English between me and the captain. Their salary is pretty bad too so even if I want to work in Korea later in life, it's better to work somewhere else first then work as an expat for double or even triple the salary right? Don't have too much info on this to be honest just heard stuff.

I just feel like I'm running out of time and started to feel the pressure of having to buy a house and supporting a family (looking to having kids soon...)

I would appreciate any advice.

[KiwiAvi8er]

Originally Posted by yellokiwi

Hi,

I live in NZ and am currently at a flight school completing my CPL (ATPL diploma).

I would like some advice from people who have already gone through this or maybe know people that were on the same boat as me.

This year, I'm turning 29 years old and I'm also married. Due to my age and marital status, I would like to know what the best option or path is into getting a job at an airline flying jets. My current idea is to finish flight school, become an instructor and gain the hours required, from there hopefully landing a job flying turboprops with airnz. This however would take another 2-3 years after becoming a flight instructor and how many years on turboprops until I get onto the jets. Are there any options going overseas after graduating flight school with only 250 hrs? (maybe second officer with cathay but repaying student loan would be impossible right) Can paying for my own way into getting 500 hrs be an alternative route than becoming a flight instructor? (I do have financial support from my parents and my wife if this was the case). I'm just worried not landing a job at this point would have huge consequences since I wouldn't have a job and would have to spend more money to become a flight instructor and wait it out. Would airlines even hire someone with no real job experience but with 500+ hrs (including other minimums like multi engine hrs etc).

I am open to relocating to a different country if options are out there and is a faster route into getting a job at a major airline than the current plan. I'm Korean by the way and have seen regional ads for 250hrs but I don't know the jargons in korean and since I won't be considered an expat I doubt the conversations would happen in English between me and the captain. Their salary is pretty bad too so even if I want to work in Korea later in life, it's better to work somewhere else first then work as an expat for double or even triple the salary right? Don't have too much info on this to be honest just heard stuff.

I just feel like I'm running out of time and started to feel the pressure of having to buy a house and supporting a family (looking to having kids soon...)

I would appreciate any advice.

I would recommend going to Cathay buddy. Spend a year or two there, then Air NZ jet will interview you. What is the big drive to go straight to a jet ASAP? Money?

[yellokiwi]

Originally Posted by KiwiAvi8er

I would recommend going to Cathay buddy. Spend a year or two there, then Air NZ jet will interview you. What is the big drive to go straight to a jet ASAP? Money?

Big drive is the money and the progression. Dont get me wrong i love flying but at my age it would be great to speed things up and if i can save couple of years by skipping instructing or turboprop i would take that route.

If i by miracle go to cathay, isnt there a bond of like 7 years? What happens if you break contract and would airnz hire a person with only second officer experience to their a320?

Thanks for the reply too

[KiwiAvi8er]

Originally Posted by yellokiwi

Big drive is the money and the progression. Dont get me wrong i love flying but at my age it would be great to speed things up and if i can save couple of years by skipping instructing or turboprop i would take that route.

If i by miracle go to cathay, isnt there a bond of like 7 years? What happens if you break contract and would airnz hire a person with only second officer experience to their a320?

Thanks for the reply too

There have been quite a few SO’s from Cathay hired by Air NZ recently. Some of these SO’s had been at Cathay less than 2 years so they’ve obviously decided what ever bond there is (I don’t know the details) is worth paying, for the opportunity to get on NZ’s list. Bear in mind this is during the back end of their growth spurt. The amount of pilots they need will reduce over the next few years which will raise the hour requirements they look for.

29 isn’t old to be getting in to aviation either. If you’re about to start a family you might even find the Turboprop gig in NZ more suitable for time at home. The pay is reasonable and it’s quick to a command.

[yellokiwi]

Originally Posted by KiwiAvi8er

There have been quite a few SO’s from Cathay hired by Air NZ recently. Some of these SO’s had been at Cathay less than 2 years so they’ve obviously decided what ever bond there is (I don’t know the details) is worth paying, for the opportunity to get on NZ’s list. Bear in mind this is during the back end of their growth spurt. The amount of pilots they need will reduce over the next few years which will raise the hour requirements they look for.

29 isn’t old to be getting in to aviation either. If you’re about to start a family you might even find the Turboprop gig in NZ more suitable for time at home. The pay is reasonable and it’s quick to a command.

Thanks for the insight. I doubt they take anyone with less than 500 hrs but if I could skip 3-4 years in being an instructor then it seems going to cathays is a good option. If im at 500 hrs and had to choose turboprop or cathays, id stick to airnz. Only if cathays take me or anywhere straight after flight school then ill go wherever then to airnz jets. Ill keep dreaming

[Phillip19922]

Fresh CPL

Hi guys fresh on this. Can you guys help me out? I’m just about to complete my CPL in aus and I would like to get stuck into building my hours in any vfr pilot job. I’m currently studying IREX. I’m willing to move any where an very determined.

[dpalusiak93]

ATPL A Course Au

Hey Guys,
I would like to ask you about the cost of doing ATPL A at Australia,
I currently have PPL A English licence + VFR night . I read in Australia, you have another law, in Europe we can start a course ATPL theory with a PPL license which takes 650 hours and consists of 14 subject. Could you explain me the rules in Australia and the costs that will be on the way to ATPL A ?
I read in Australia is 7 Subject to pass to get ATPL A but first i need to Pass CPL ?
question about jobs opportunity in Australia. they accept pilot to companies immediately after the course or the rules are like in the United States where ATPL and a line pilot can be at 1500h? and first we doing CPL A + FI , and we learning people to get that 1500h and after that we can apply for ATPL a exam and pass theory ?


Kind regards

[T11995]

Which aviation school would you choose?

Hey,

What would be the best aviation school in New Zealand? My goal is to become an Air New Zealand pilot one day, which school would give me the best start?

Ive done the adapt test and i understand that i would have to do another test before getting offered a placement into the schools. What test would this be? Any tips?

Thank you <3

[avery.l]

flight school recommendation

Hi everyone

I am a flying beginner who locate in Brisbane at the moment.
Is there anyone recommend good flying school around Queensland? Also where could I get Class 1 medical check with the best price?

Thanks

[Alessandroblack]

How is an ATPL exam presented?

Hello, i am an aspiring airline pilot currently in school. So I was curious about how an ATPL theory exam is presented? My two ideas were that it may be about applying formulas (kind of like an engineering exam) or more about general knowledge so multiple choice questions without many mathematical questions just knowing air law, knowing every part of the aircraft? Thankyou so much for your time.

[T11995]

Applying for AviationI

Hello,

I am applying for some aviation schools in new zealand and was wondering if anyone could give me tips or hints to stand out amongst the many candidates.
Could you recommend some good goals to put in my application for during my time as a student, i have many academic and personal goals such as Achieving well above requirements to pass PPL CPL and taking my parents out on a scenic flight. But are there other goals i should also mention?
I have scored well in my ADAPT test and would be recuired to do another test during the selection process, how should i prepare for this test?
My first choice is to study at the international aviation academy as i would like to learn at an international airport, what would be the likely hood of getting accepted?
Thank you so much for reading/recommending <3

[Stickshift3000]

Originally Posted by Alessandroblack

Hello, i am an aspiring airline pilot currently in school. So I was curious about how an ATPL theory exam is presented?

Asking questions, like yours, is the best way to increase your knowledge - continue to ask!

If you are aspiring towards ATPL, you will already have studied and passed your CPL exams. The exam format is very similar - you will have no trouble passing all of this if you study the theory, ask questions of qualified persons when unsure, and practice some exams (studying further when you identify your own knowledge deficiencies!).

[T11995]

How hard is it to get into an aviation school

Hello

how difficult is it to get into aviation school in New Zealand? I did not particularly well in school and my grades were not good. However i have completed a bachelors degree in business but wanted to change careers. I had always wanted to go into aviation but went a different path as i made more money owning my own business, but now i realised i would rather have a career (flying) im passionate in instead of making it about the money. What is the possibility i would get into the NAC or IAANZ or Southern wings

[RHSandLovingIt]

Originally Posted by T11995

What is the possibility i would get into the NAC or IAANZ or Southern wings

Southern Wings make it fairly clear as to what the minimum entry requirements are: https://www.southernwings.co.nz/flig...-requirements/
IAANZ seem to have made it a bit more difficult to find: https://flighttraining.co.nz/the-aca...estic-students (click the "course information" link and have a look at the PDF)
NAC has theirs here: https://www.nelson-aviation.co.nz/ab...ements-nz.html

All three appear to be almost identical.

In any case, if I were in your situation I would call the respective institutions and see if you can have a chat with someone (maybe the CFI?)... or if you live near any of them, pop in and say hi. I spent some time on the phone back in the day when I was in somewhat of a similar position (except I already had a PPL and a few extra hours and was trying to figure out how to get to CPL+MEIR etc)... in general I found most of the places I called were happy to discuss my situation and goals and whether or not their particular course was a good fit for both.

[Aspiringstudent]

How can a foreigner join OZ/NZ airline cadet or affordable school

I am a US citizen with finance degree been seriously looking into cadet programs/flight schools. I prefer to tie myself with Australian airlines or NZ long term than US airlines. I know i have to be OZ citizen but anyone know of a flight program that accepts foreigners and might guarantee a pilot job in OZ or NZ?

[Icemansteeve]

Originally Posted by Aspiringstudent

I am a US citizen with finance degree been seriously looking into cadet programs/flight schools. I prefer to tie myself with Australian airlines or NZ long term than US airlines. I know i have to be OZ citizen but anyone know of a flight program that accepts foreigners and might guarantee a pilot job in OZ or NZ?

Plenty that will accept you as a student, but no such thing as a guaranteed job in Australia. Even those in cadetships aren't a sure thing for jobs (think of them as guaranteed interviews).

As you said, you need to be a permanent resident or citizen to get a job anyway.

[Ck.]

Originally Posted by Kundry

Hey guys,

Will soon be a 200 hour CPL looking for work up north. I'm planning to pack the car and visit a couple of specific operators that are in northern WA and remote NT i.e. away from Darwin.

I was wondering if a bare CPL will reflect poorly upon me? i.e. I haven't taken the time to upskill to a FIR, ME or IR, no IREX done, no ATPLs done. I have a senior first aid cert and looking to get my DG Awareness done.

Realistically not expecting any IFR/NVFR flying in the first year or so however even for the 172 scenics I'll be competing with other fresh CPLs from uni courses/diplomas who have their ME IR. Am I overthinking this or should I just pack the car and go knocking?

I’d recommend you to get your MECIR before coming up here. Why? You’re gonna be dealing with a lot of hairy situations up north, 5km vis, dodging thunder storms, smoke/haze. Having a your instrument rating will give you a lot more confidence dealing with these situations ( that’s if you ever put yourself in that position, and hand on heart, some, not all of us, has sent it for the sake of getting the job done )

The industry is moving quickly that you want to be the guy who is ready for the twin not the guy who says (give me 4 weeks to do my MECIR).

Credit to you if you are willing to pack up your car and go north, not a lot of people do it now days, a lot of people simply fly in, drop a resume then fly out ( and it works... ). We’ve all been through that first job conundrum, and it sucks but stick through it, you’ll make a lot of good stories out of it in the future.

[superburger]

Paperless

Will be starting my cpl and then atpl exams soon (Australia).

Best order to do exams? Jepps or AIPS? Let me know your thoughts.

As we transition into paperless will casa bring this into their exams, as in, we would no longer require to use these documents and maybe go off something digital?