Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)
Hi folks,
So I have read what feels like a million posts trying to determine what the best flight schools are in the Melbourne/ Vic area.
They have all meshed into some sort of abstract art in my head and unfortunately some of the posts are older and no longer relevant.
Could someone shed some light on schools that offer Vet Fee-Help for CPL Diploma courses? The current options seem to be Learn to Fly, RVAC and AAPA. We then have the degree options with RMIT, Swinburne (CAE) and CQU (MFS). Learn to Fly seem to have a good program and a new partnership with Griffith University but some older posts have not exactly rated them highly. Anyone recently experienced these schools and have any thoughts?
So I have read what feels like a million posts trying to determine what the best flight schools are in the Melbourne/ Vic area.
They have all meshed into some sort of abstract art in my head and unfortunately some of the posts are older and no longer relevant.
Could someone shed some light on schools that offer Vet Fee-Help for CPL Diploma courses? The current options seem to be Learn to Fly, RVAC and AAPA. We then have the degree options with RMIT, Swinburne (CAE) and CQU (MFS). Learn to Fly seem to have a good program and a new partnership with Griffith University but some older posts have not exactly rated them highly. Anyone recently experienced these schools and have any thoughts?
TVSA at Bacchus Marsh also offer a VET level diploma course.
I have recently started private training with them and have enjoyed the experience thus far, not having experienced any issues (other than occasional cancellation due to weather or illness with me wanting to keep the same instructor).
The team have been friendly and supportive.
My history was that I originally took lessons when I was 16 and got to my first solo, but that was back in 1996 (a lifetime ago, and I've done nothing but Microsoft flying since).
As I have been progressing, the instructors have monitored my ability and do not seem interested in required me to spend extra hours once having demonstrated competence to a required lesson criteria.
Compared to my previous experience which was at Archerfield with RQAC (now defunct I believe), one thing I have noticed is the lack of time spent traversing from startup to the training area, as the runway is right there and the airfield is in the training area.
Less time idling around means more time practicing lesson skills.
I think that's an advantage of undertaking it at a school that is not based in a controlled airspace.
Of course, controlled airspace has other advantages, but there is plenty of time for that.
Best of luck with your endeavours.
TVSA at Bacchus Marsh also offer a VET level diploma course.
I have recently started private training with them and have enjoyed the experience thus far, not having experienced any issues (other than occasional cancellation due to weather or illness with me wanting to keep the same instructor).
The team have been friendly and supportive.
........
I have recently started private training with them and have enjoyed the experience thus far, not having experienced any issues (other than occasional cancellation due to weather or illness with me wanting to keep the same instructor).
The team have been friendly and supportive.
........
Join Date: Jun 2020
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Flight training to airlines
Hi, I'm interested in being an airline pilot. I just want everyone's opinion on if I should do the Bachelor of aviation with CQU online using HECS or should I pay as I go with a local flight school?
In my opinion (and it’s only my opinion). Go self funded if you can afford it. If you have funds already you’ll be finished long before those going through uni. You will also pay a lot less in total. You will, in my experience, get better one on one training with a smaller school that can tailor its course to suit your individual needs better.
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In my opinion (and it’s only my opinion). Go self funded if you can afford it. If you have funds already you’ll be finished long before those going through uni. You will also pay a lot less in total. You will, in my experience, get better one on one training with a smaller school that can tailor its course to suit your individual needs better.
PLus it is indexed with CPI, not interest rates then there's tens of thousands in "admin fees" added on, which would be better used getting command time!
What's the rush? You need to have an edge over all the thousands that will be graduating from the sausage factories. Command time is what gives you the edge. Be the tortoise, not the hare.
What's the rush? You need to have an edge over all the thousands that will be graduating from the sausage factories. Command time is what gives you the edge. Be the tortoise, not the hare.
If you do the diploma/advanced diploma set at a school that can do FEE HELP loans you'll be finished and job ready with very little out of pocket cost in under two years. It would be almost impossible to complete CPL/MECIR while working to pay for training in double that time.
Yes it's initially more expensive on paper but at the back end of your career every additional year you work could be worth half a million bucks.
Yes it's initially more expensive on paper but at the back end of your career every additional year you work could be worth half a million bucks.
If you do the diploma/advanced diploma set at a school that can do FEE HELP loans you'll be finished and job ready with very little out of pocket cost in under two years. It would be almost impossible to complete CPL/MECIR while working to pay for training in double that time.
Yes it's initially more expensive on paper but at the back end of your career every additional year you work could be worth half a million bucks.
Yes it's initially more expensive on paper but at the back end of your career every additional year you work could be worth half a million bucks.
Big difference between a list of acronyms in your licence and being job ready. Command time is what makes you job ready and promotable.
There is an assumption that you will walk straight into a lucrative job straight from flying school. Good luck with that.
Someone who's done the course part time will have at least 100 hours in command, no expensive ratings that they can't use and will have to spend a lot keeping current and will have spent about half as much to be more job ready. .
I'm speaking as someone who has been employing pilots for 30 years. And as one of the taxpayers who is subsidising this rort.
Someone who has seen the disappointment on the faces of people whose HECS debt is maxed out and, if they did actually finish can't find work because there are thousands of others just like them, who fell for the same trick.. And as their HECS is maxed out they can't do anything else at uni to get a useful qualification!
Last edited by Clare Prop; 12th Sep 2022 at 03:41.
Not sure if you are giving or receiving, it's a slik sales pitch.
Someone who's done the course part time will have at least 100 hours in command, no expensive ratings that they can't use and will have to spend a lot keeping current and will have spent about half as much to be more job ready. .
I'm speaking as someone who has been employing pilots for 30 years. And as one of the taxpayers who is subsidising this rort.
Someone who has seen the disappointment on the faces of people whose HECS debt is maxed out and, if they did actually finish can't find work because there are thousands of others just like them, who fell for the same trick.. And as their HECS is maxed out they can't do anything else at uni to get a useful qualification!
Someone who's done the course part time will have at least 100 hours in command, no expensive ratings that they can't use and will have to spend a lot keeping current and will have spent about half as much to be more job ready. .
I'm speaking as someone who has been employing pilots for 30 years. And as one of the taxpayers who is subsidising this rort.
Someone who has seen the disappointment on the faces of people whose HECS debt is maxed out and, if they did actually finish can't find work because there are thousands of others just like them, who fell for the same trick.. And as their HECS is maxed out they can't do anything else at uni to get a useful qualification!
I've seen enough in my time to form my own opinions on the positive and negative aspects of various training options. Personally I'm happy to have my tax dollars help people access flight training. Recent history is littered with far more egregious government spending.
For that amount of money, that is normally only accessible to people in the very top percentiles in ATAR, there should be a very high bar to entry.
The only other courses that can borrow that much money are medicine, dentistry and vet.
The only other courses that can borrow that much money are medicine, dentistry and vet.
Granted, most student pilots won't do this and would jump straight into the $40k advanced diploma for the MECIR, or just be enrolled in a three year degree program.
For what it's worth, I think the degree programs are not worth it, but the diploma/advanced diploma have their place. I know many pilots who simply wouldn't have had the opportunity to pursue a flying career if they couldn't access a student loan.
Join Date: Oct 2022
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CASA in NZ
Hello,
Australian. Was made redundant from Virgin group in Aus in 2020 with lots of others. Have not flown since. Want to fly again. Spat out of cyclic 2020 with no IR, promises from Virgin to requalify us evaporated. Have not flown light a/c for a long time.
Currently in NZ, and understand it is possible to requalify (in some capacity - will address that below) here in NZ but under AU Part 61, with approval to do test in ZK tail etc.
Q. Can someone help me, finding a school or a person that might do this or know about doing this?
Either in a sim, or in a light aircraft, really just want to be in a position to be employable again in AU and NZ after doing Trans Tasman thing - but need my AU ATPL /IR back first.
Not necessarily looking for requalification on a specific type. Obviously can go to Aus and do it in the Metro or Saab sim, having lots of time on those, may do this but wanted to try in NZ first. Don't want to spend huge amounts - this is big factor.
CASA swear they have no list of CASA accredited examiners or organisations in NZ which seems rather odd. Already found a CASA DAME here no prob.
Any assistance would be appreciated chaps.
Australian. Was made redundant from Virgin group in Aus in 2020 with lots of others. Have not flown since. Want to fly again. Spat out of cyclic 2020 with no IR, promises from Virgin to requalify us evaporated. Have not flown light a/c for a long time.
Currently in NZ, and understand it is possible to requalify (in some capacity - will address that below) here in NZ but under AU Part 61, with approval to do test in ZK tail etc.
Q. Can someone help me, finding a school or a person that might do this or know about doing this?
Either in a sim, or in a light aircraft, really just want to be in a position to be employable again in AU and NZ after doing Trans Tasman thing - but need my AU ATPL /IR back first.
Not necessarily looking for requalification on a specific type. Obviously can go to Aus and do it in the Metro or Saab sim, having lots of time on those, may do this but wanted to try in NZ first. Don't want to spend huge amounts - this is big factor.
CASA swear they have no list of CASA accredited examiners or organisations in NZ which seems rather odd. Already found a CASA DAME here no prob.
Any assistance would be appreciated chaps.
Join Date: Jun 2018
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RVAC
Hi all,
Anyone have any specific experiences with doing the Diploma of Aviation at Royal Victorian Aero Club in Moorabbin?
Please reach out, even via private message if you don't want it to be public.
Chopz
Anyone have any specific experiences with doing the Diploma of Aviation at Royal Victorian Aero Club in Moorabbin?
Please reach out, even via private message if you don't want it to be public.
Chopz
You may try here:
https://flighttest.net/flight-examiners/
If you have to go FEE-HELP, RVAC is a good way to do it.
Join Date: Dec 2022
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RAAF - Fast jet minimum service period
Very subjective question but here goes.
I am currently 18 and would like to join the RAAF in mid 2024 to pursue my goal of becoming a fighter pilot. I have put between 15 and 20 hours towards my RPL just over a year ago but stopped due to my final year of school.
I have recently finished school, and am thinking towards the future. I have other goals I would like to pursue other than flying, and would want to start achieving those sooner rather than later, as they will take time.
My main question is regarding the fast jet role, and the minimum service time for such.
As far as I can find on the ADF website, it states that there is a 11.5 year commitment for Direct Entry Officers or a 1-6 year commitment through general entry. What would be my best option to become a fast jet pilot, but also serve for the least amount of time so I can pursue my other goals?
Cheers
I am currently 18 and would like to join the RAAF in mid 2024 to pursue my goal of becoming a fighter pilot. I have put between 15 and 20 hours towards my RPL just over a year ago but stopped due to my final year of school.
I have recently finished school, and am thinking towards the future. I have other goals I would like to pursue other than flying, and would want to start achieving those sooner rather than later, as they will take time.
My main question is regarding the fast jet role, and the minimum service time for such.
As far as I can find on the ADF website, it states that there is a 11.5 year commitment for Direct Entry Officers or a 1-6 year commitment through general entry. What would be my best option to become a fast jet pilot, but also serve for the least amount of time so I can pursue my other goals?
Cheers
Very subjective question but here goes.
I am currently 18 and would like to join the RAAF in mid 2024 to pursue my goal of becoming a fighter pilot. I have put between 15 and 20 hours towards my RPL just over a year ago but stopped due to my final year of school.
I have recently finished school, and am thinking towards the future. I have other goals I would like to pursue other than flying, and would want to start achieving those sooner rather than later, as they will take time.
My main question is regarding the fast jet role, and the minimum service time for such.
As far as I can find on the ADF website, it states that there is a 11.5 year commitment for Direct Entry Officers or a 1-6 year commitment through general entry. What would be my best option to become a fast jet pilot, but also serve for the least amount of time so I can pursue my other goals?
Cheers
I am currently 18 and would like to join the RAAF in mid 2024 to pursue my goal of becoming a fighter pilot. I have put between 15 and 20 hours towards my RPL just over a year ago but stopped due to my final year of school.
I have recently finished school, and am thinking towards the future. I have other goals I would like to pursue other than flying, and would want to start achieving those sooner rather than later, as they will take time.
My main question is regarding the fast jet role, and the minimum service time for such.
As far as I can find on the ADF website, it states that there is a 11.5 year commitment for Direct Entry Officers or a 1-6 year commitment through general entry. What would be my best option to become a fast jet pilot, but also serve for the least amount of time so I can pursue my other goals?
Cheers
As an 18 year old you may have ideas of how you want your life to play out, but I can guarantee you, opportunities will arise in the next few years which will lead you down pathways you'd never think you'd be going down. My advice is forget the "other goals" and focus on one thing for now.
