Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)

[clamspread]

Originally Posted by tossbag

Deeper research required, AAPA is owned by REX, that's why there are loads of AAPA graduates in REX.



Many? Don't think so, deeper research required. The numbers are very low.

What is the typical trajectory for cadets who have completed cadetships that don't offer guaranteed employment? Given the high demand for pilots and re-emerging market, I assumed that good performance during the cadetship would enable advancement to airlines, perhaps following a brief stint as an instructor.

[PoppaJo]

I am fairly sure some have have been offered line pilot opportunities in the Torres Strait, Cairns region. I can’t recall the operator but I think it was those cadets who trained from Brisbane.

I think Sharp Airlines offered a cadet scheme in the past, they might still do it, one would imagine it would be less competitive vs airlines.

Not sure what you mean by good performance within a cadetship.

[clamspread]

.

I think Sharp Airlines offered a cadet scheme in the past, they might still do it, one would imagine it would be less competitive vs airlines.

Yep, it's still around. It's a pretty expensive program, but you get a 1-year contract as an FO with them, where you rack up a minimum of 650 hours during your tenure. I believe it's the only cadetship providing employment, aside from Rex. Cobham might; I'm not sure.

Not sure what you mean by good performance within a cadetship.

I guess I'm referring to demonstrating a positive mindset and enthusiasm for learning, coupled with a mature demeanour during the cadetship. Instructors and administrators would be looking for that, right?

[PoppaJo]

Yep, it's still around. It's a pretty expensive program, but you get a 1-year contract as an FO with them, where you rack up a minimum of 650 hours during your tenure.

Having a look, you stump up 130k, don’t get paid for the 15 months, then get a 12 month contract on 40k, then get dumped on the kerb unemployed.

I mean, seriously, what a disgrace. I’d love to follow the money trail on that one.

[tossbag]

Having a look, you stump up 130k, don’t get paid for the 15 months, then get a 12 month contract on 40k, then get dumped on the kerb unemployed.

It would be interesting to see how many ex Sharp cadets get a gig anywhere after their 12 month contract? I know they've employed into the left seat after the 12 months, but elsewhere would be the key to deciding on doing it. I have seen gigs advertised that requires multi-crew experience, this would tick that box.

The qantas college thing or whatever it's called looks awful to me, there appears to be a lot of qantas prancing around at Wellcamp and lots of 'mentor' pilots but very little qantas employment.

[sean1990]

Originally Posted by clamspread

I've seen most cadetships are ab initio; I've got some flight hours. Would that put me at a disadvantage?

Shouldn't be a problem mate. Have spoken to a Rex pilot who switched across from flight training school in Melbourne to AAPA/Wagga with an existing RPL or PPL (forgot which one). Rex selection program looks into previous flying and will test you on aviation knowledge so this is all good for your application. Just make sure not to go beyond PPL level if you're considering the cadetship route but a RPL should be fine. I had a PPL when I applied to Rex and got invited to the wombat test pretty soon. Good luck!

[Chopz]

Personally I think the Rex Cadetship is still a pretty good opportunity to get involved in, particularly with their current growth in the market.

I would love to apply and be part of it but 40 weeks of being unpaid, living in Wagga Wagga and having my wife and kids in Melbourne is a bit of a challenge.

All of these cadetships are unfortunately only designed for the young school leaver who is living at home. They are also probably the ones to be selected as a priority anyway as I believe these positions are very competitive.

Has anyone in my situation ever completed a cadetship and have any advice?

[grant.lebronte]

I'm now as "GA Ready" as they come having just completed the GA Ready course in Darwin. It's been almost a month back in Darwin and feel like I got to play the waiting game all over again, through the dry, until we hit the wet again and start the door knocking game from scratch. Is this really how it is? There is another GA ready down south but I figured I don't want to spend another $4,000 when this GA ready course here cost almost $5,000. Thanks to everyone for your contributions. It's interesting reading.

[Kyuubi]

Reacrational Pilot License Struggles

Hi All,
I am a Year 12 student, and my start to aviation has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, with the rollercoaster mostly being on the bottom. I started flying when i was 15, finishing basic manoeuvring skills and getting closer to circuit training then... COVID-19. I was locked out of flight school on and off for a year and a half where i would find myself repeating some classes due to the time gap. Then when i was in year 11 i did my first solo and my training area solo's which i found very easy due to me finally getting FSX on my computer.

Eventually when year 12 came it was time to do the RPL exam. For the first portion of the year i had time to study so i booked in my RPL exam ready to go. I sat down and got through half of the questions when the wifi crashed and the CASA exam website crashed. I waited hours for the test to come back alive. A few hours later it came and on... then crashed again. Eventually i failed the exam. 63%

The next time came around, year 12 had started and it hit me like a bus. Stupidly doing so, i didn't study what so ever and reattempted the RPL exam. I did some practice exams in flight school which resulted in me getting alright results. So time came, and i failed the exam. NO SURPRISE. 61%

My instructor sat me down and told me options, "if you failed your 3rd attempt you will have wait three months. Since the PPL exam will be unlocked, we could study for that instead but we would need to teach you NAV". So here i am writing this, because i want some advice. I have been studying for 2 months on and off, trying to aim a average of 90%> on practice exam but i am achieving around 85% on the practices. I do feel terrified to enter the exam room and fail again. This has been very stressful for me, and i really do want to be a pilot. What should i do and is there any study techniques i should me mindful about. How do i balance this and year 12.

Thank You
kyuubi

[Bosi72]

Originally Posted by Kyuubi

and i really do want to be a pilot. What should i do and is there any study techniques i should me mindful about. How do i balance this and year 12.
Thank You
kyuubi

Just ask yourself honestly how many hours per day you spend studying (reading) vs how many hours you spend on gaming, social media, discord, tiktok, youtube, other activities....

Studying means mind focused on topics.. Doing practice exams on its own isn't helping because you are memorising answers without deep understanding. Read Bob Tait (or ATC) books twice, you will notice on the 2nd pass things that you've missed after 1st pass.. THEN work on PPE.

There are lots of temptations and distractions these days, but YOU have to be in-charge of your life, the same way YOU will be in-charge of the aeroplane once passing the ticket.

Good luck

[BigJohns]

What are the odds?

Current Yr12 Student, predicted ATAR is >80, I've got some flight experience and relevant work experience in the aviation sector. Also attended AAFC for a year.

Considering my circumstance, what are the odds if me being a competitive applicant for a cadetship in the eyes of the big cheeses at Rex AAPA and and Qantas Group Pilot Academy?

[clamspread]

Work experience question

I scored work experience with Qantas at Sydney Airport. stoked..

What could I expect to be doing? I haven't been given much information apart from time and dates, I know I'll be with the baggage handling and ground crew employees. Is there anything I should know that the managers won't tell me before I start?

clamspread

[PoppaJo]

Are you sure it’s not Swissport?

[clamspread]

Originally Posted by PoppaJo

Are you sure it’s not Swissport?

The work has been organised by a Qantas higherup that I know and they haven't mentioned Swissport.

God help me if it is, I've heard bad things about Swissport.

Either way, it'll be an eye-opening experience that's also good for my resume down the track

[Clare Prop]

Courses at the Quantas Group Flying Academy are not cadetships. Ask them what their percentage is of people who start the course to people who get a job with Qantas at the end of it. I know the answer but I'd be very interested to hear what they say.

[LaurenF1980]

Instructor Ratings - Melbourne, Victoria

Hi All,

Looking for some recommendations for instructor ratings in Victoria, Can anyone recommend any good flight schools? Has anyone completed one at InterAir at Essendon or LTF at Moorabbin?

Thank you for your help.

[thisishardtochoose]

Interair, better choice

[Mach1Muppet]

You're pretty safe with any of the major schools that aren't starving, Tyabb is an unreal operation.

[smiling monkey]

Originally Posted by LaurenF1980

Hi All,

Looking for some recommendations for instructor ratings in Victoria, Can anyone recommend any good flight schools? Has anyone completed one at InterAir at Essendon or LTF at Moorabbin?

Thank you for your help.

Interair is a solid operator and have been around a long time. Thoroughly recommend them.

[DeltaT]

There is a lot of movement at the moment, considering how tight things are going to get soon for pilots, I would consider not spending the money for an instructor rating and get yourself ready to slot into a proper commercial transport/charter role.