Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)

[LexAir]

Yes, Kyneton Aero Club is a great place to start out. All very friendly and relaxed.

[Interceptor]

I can highly recommend Gawne Aviation Shepparton. They have been in the business for a long time with excellent instructors and in house examiners. It's a very friendly flying school with reasonable rates.
Shepparton has a great climate almost year round. As well as that the training area is nearby and you will get into the air quickly rather than idling on the ground wasting time and money. They will mentor and teach you right as many of their former trainees have progressed to various professional pilot jobs including airlines.
Good luck with your aviation aspirations. It can be a challenging road but it is rewarding when you make it.

[pyrophoenix]

Advice on Sydney flight schools.

Recently redundant cattle driver looking to get my AFR done and my FIR and MEIR current again to try my luck at the flight schools again. Being from WA originally I'd greatly appreciate any insight anyone has about good or not so good flight schools in the greater Sydney area?
Thanks in advance everyone!!!

[engine out]

I did my AFR down in Wollongong with NSW Air and renewed my instructor rating as well. Did the Instructor check with Curtis Aviation at Camden who were great. Also a lot of stood down airline staff at Alto-cap at Camden doing flying and instructor refreshers.

[downwind]

Multi engine and IFR training approval course

Hi All,

Can people please recommend a flight school that conducts multi engine and IFR training approvals to upgrade an instructor rating.

I would prefer a location in South East Australia, however open to all locality's pending the Covid 19 situation and border restrictions......

Regards.

Downwind.

[Ck.]

Originally Posted by Kundry

Hi peoples,

Have a keen sense of adventure right now and would be excited to pack the car and go job hunting in the N.T. Except I'm not sure what the prospects are in the current market. And would it be a bit too late now as we are heading into the wet?

Thanks

I’ve seen people getting into GA jobs in the last 3 months. One of the GA companies actually hired because the individual was in the NT and not sitting back at home like the other 5 resumes that were looked at because 4 people quit in the space of three weeks. Don’t question it mate just go for it. There are blokes up here already camping out for that first job.

[TechLad]

Wannabe pilot looking for advice

Hey folks, I was hoping I could get some general advice on Australian aviation training and careers, as I don't know anyone in the industry and I’m in quite a unique situation. I've used Google and this forum's Search feature, and haven't found anything that answers my questions; apologies if I’ve posted this in the wrong place. I’ll try to keep it short, and not ask stupid questions. I can’t promise I’ll succeed!

My life situation:
I'm 44, living in Melbourne, and lucky enough to be retired. I have enough money to live out the rest of my natural life, and I can afford to fly decent hours privately (10+ per month). I finished work two years ago, and now finally have the means to follow my passion in aviation, and at age 44 I’m thinking I’m too young to stop working. I would love to start a new career as a pilot.

My aviation situation:
I studied aviation in my high school years as part of the Ansett Aviation Scholarship, but didn't have the money to do the last two years, which were in the cockpit and not theory. I started my Rec Pilot Certificate in early 2020, but had to stop due to COVID as well as a health issue, both of which are now resolved.

Q1.
I am leaning towards a job as a flight instructor. I understand it’s incredibly competitive, but I’m lucky enough that I can chip away at it for years until it’s a reality. I’ve met instructors in their 50s and 60s who only started in the last few years, which is what gave me this idea. Do I need a Commercial Pilot License to become an instructor? If not, what kind of quals do I need? What other piloting careers are there which might be achievable given my circumstances? I just want to fly…

Q2.
While I live in Melbourne, I am strongly considering the move to Hobart or NZ. However, I can’t seem to find many schools in these area? Am I blind/terrible at Googling?

Q3.
I don’t think you chaps can give school recommendations, (feel free to do so if you can!), but what’s the best way to find a school that is reputable and honest? I’ve heard horror stories, and considering I’m looking to spend over $70k plus the better part of two years to get my CPL, would like to do due diligence. Alas, there is no publicly available resource that I can find which shows how sound these businesses are, the rate at which they pass students, how they help place students into jobs, etc

Thanks for your time, and hope you all have a better 2021 than the year we’ve just had!

[jonkster]

Q1:
to be employed as a pilot (including as an instructor) you will need a commercial licence (and to be an instructor, an instructor rating on top of the CPL).


My 2c
In general, making a career out of being a pilot typically takes more than just qualifications, you need to be willing to build experience to work your way up and that can be a hard road. At 44 with not much experience you will be competing for jobs with people a lot younger at the entry level positions.

As an instructor if you:
a. have good aptitude for flying and had good solid training yoursel,f
b. have good people skills (and teaching aptitude) and some real world experience
c. do not mind working hard
opportunities for instructing are there. Not everyone makes a good instructor and not everyone enjoys the job though, just being a good pilot doesn't mean you will be a good instructor.
It usually isn't paid well compared to other GA jobs. Depends on what you want though - pay isn't everything. Also not all flying schools are equal (as employers and as providers of a good job environment).

If you want to fly, go for it. Do your PPL with a good school (good doesn't necessarily mean big). You will get to know more about the industry and possibilities as you progress and will be better placed to see if flying for money is what you want to do and what area (eg instructing) is where you want to aim for (or move through).

At that point if you still want to go for it as a career, then push on with your CPL. Don't skimp on getting good experience on the way - if you have the finance and time and are not in a hurry add aerobatics, tailwheel, multi engine, etc. At 44 you are going to be behind the curve for many positions but I know of a handful of people who have found a niche starting in their 40s. If you want a high paying glamorous career flying cutting edge aircraft... probably not likely.

Others will have a different take.

[megan]

but what’s the best way to find a school that is reputable and honest? I’ve heard horror stories

You have to be careful even when a school comes with recommendations, caveat emptor and all that. Had two experiences, one came highly recommended due to the quality of instructors and instructing, but the business side less so, to the extent they were cashing cheques of students who had paid up front on they day they folded, trading while insolvent, had foreseen the likely outcome and made arrangements where fuel had been purchased at a particular aero club to let me know if they had trouble getting paid and I'd pay the bill, which is what occurred, and I deducted that amount when the administrator presented his invoice for monies due.

If I could give a thumbs up it would be to the Latrobe Valley Aero Club, even got a student a job a week before they did their commercial ride, and the arrangement was made during an instruction flight when the business concerned rang the instructor asking for recommendations, but we're talking a decade ago.

The very best of wishes in your ambition.

Oh, and never ever pay monies up front, I repeat, never ever pay monies up front, I repeat .........

[engine out]

You only need a PPL to instruct however the instructing you can do with it is very limited, realistically you need a CPL with Instructor rating. Think Par Avionics in Tasmania used to do flight training. At your age there is no problems with a career instructing. As for schools don’t pay up front and visit as many as possible, generally I find smaller schools are good as you get more one on one time (and hopefully if you go all the way through you may end up with an instructing job at the end). If time and money isn’t a problem go for trial flights at a few schools and see what feels the best fit for you and ask lots of questions.

[TechLad]

Thank you very much for your responses, really appreciate it.

I believe that I do have an aptitude for aviation, and study in general. Hard work is also fine considering I don't think anything aviation related is fascinating. Though cleaning the club house toilets may not be quite as much fun. I'm also pretty good with people, as relationship building was critical in my former career. Regarding the getting my hours up, what would you suggest is the best way to pursue this? Note that I can offer to work for free, full time, which might give me an edge over others? I'm happy to do as many quals as I can, so will also do those other courses you've mentioned along the way.

In the immediate future I'm going to plow into my PPL - I've heard great things about Lilydale Flight School in Victoria (La Trobe is a bit far to commute there regularly). They also offer the CPL course, so I'm assuming it would be good to have the continuity of training there? It sounds like there are also some schools in Tassie that I can look into should I make the move there - Par Avionics for one. Thanks again - I can't wait for 2021 to begin so I can really devote myself to this new direction. It's incredibly exciting, and I can't believe that - whatever happens - I'll be able to make my dreams of flying come true. (urgh, I'm such a gushing noobie, aren't I?!)

[TechLad]

It seems like asking about certain schools is ok? Any thoughts on Lilydale Flying School? Given my goal of a CPL, what other great schools are there in the Melbourne and Hobart areas?

[Kundry]

Par Avion in Hobart is the main and only (maybe apart from the Aero Club?) GA flight training in Tassie. Outstanding organisation with some of the best instructors I've flown with. They have Higher Education Loan Program courses but in your case I'd recommend self funding so you know exactly where your money is going. Tassie is a lovely place to live if you like nature and especially so if you are into mountain biking.

[Sirocco9699]

GA Roadtrip Job hunt

Hi everyone,

The time has come to begin the infamous job hunt for that first flying job. I have chosen to begin a circuit road trip next month beginning in Victoria heading all the way up to the NT and back to talk to numerous GA operators and ask some questions to see if they have any work. I am not expecting a job especially at this time, more would just love to soak up all the info that anyone is willing to give me.
Apart from the obvious advice such as 'look professional' and 'Be knowledgable' is there any advice anyone would give me?
As well as advice, any operators that are a must to visit on my journey that would give a look into a low hour pilot?

For reference, I am a 210 hour CPL, with MECIR.

Cheers guys,

[morno]

Originally Posted by Sirocco9699

I have chosen to begin a circuit road trip next month beginning in Victoria heading all the way up to the NT and back

Why go back? I’ll give you your first piece of advice, you won’t get a job sitting in Victoria, no matter how enjoyable your trip up north was. You need to move up north, find somewhere to setup camp, and just get any old job so that you’re Johnny On The Spot when a job does come up.

[Sirocco9699]

Interesting thought. I have been told that especially in these Covid times GA is quite slow and moving up may not be the best course of action as I may be up there for a prolonged period without any bites. Rather a short road trip to make connections and learn. And if nothing comes of it then I can go back to Victoria and possibly retrain/reskill so that I am not wasting my time flogging a dead horse.
Thanks though.

[Roj approved]

Originally Posted by Sirocco9699

Interesting thought. I have been told that especially in these Covid times GA is quite slow.

Have you actually spoken to any of the operators or pilots up north? They will give you the truth about how busy they are and how the state of the industry is up north.

Hearsay from people that aren't there isn't worth anything.

Go north, find any job in an area you think may have some flying work, settle in.

NO ONE WILL EMPLOY YOU OVER THE PHONE FROM VICTORIA.

[Dingo990]

Planning ahead

Hi everyone

So I'm about 90% through my PPL in NZ and I'm looking to get my CPL, Multi and Instrument rating. My partner is locked in with her employer for about the next 5 years so I've got plenty of time to get licensed up etc.

I've been pointed in the direction of some places in Darwin that will take low hour pilots but I was hoping to get some help from anyone that's done it before. I guess some advice on what to expect starting with how busy the work might be and what would be a realistic pay to expect at first?

Any other help would be awesome.

[pilotlee]

CPL Australia - Best training facilities

Hi,
I am interested in becoming a commercial pilot in Australia and potentially working overseas in the future.
I would like any advice on achieving this and what do you recommend is the best path (private or cadetship)?

Thanks.

[Capt Fathom]

Maybe have a read of this thread: Fresh Grade 3 Instructor with $120,000 debt. Driving street sweepers...

There are several other similar threads here within the last 3 months or so if you go back and take a look.