Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: NA
Australian ATPL theory study
Hey all,
I'm planning to start the Australian ATPL's via distance learning and wanted to know what order is best to study them in? A bit of context, I've done my ATPLs in New Zealand but moved to Aussie for the first gig and I'm about to move on to the airlines and so I require the ATPL theory. Also for any kiwi pilots who have done both the NZ and Australian ATPL's, how much different were they compared to each other?
Thanks
I'm planning to start the Australian ATPL's via distance learning and wanted to know what order is best to study them in? A bit of context, I've done my ATPLs in New Zealand but moved to Aussie for the first gig and I'm about to move on to the airlines and so I require the ATPL theory. Also for any kiwi pilots who have done both the NZ and Australian ATPL's, how much different were they compared to each other?
Thanks
Last edited by TheFlyingKiwi722; 28th April 2024 at 10:20.
Joined: Mar 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 74
Likes: 21
From: Perth, Australia
They are a bitch. Everyone has their own theory on what order to complete them, it really depends on you, but if you are working at the same time, it will be full on within the 2 year window.
Really depends on how you work/study. The "easier" subjects are Law, Human Factors and Meteorology, Systems is mostly wrote-learning, so long as you understand the background concepts, then the "harder" subjects are Performance & Loading, Nav and Flight Planning. Flight planning is a prick of an exam - I would highly recommend doing the in person course at AFT at least for flight planning. Also worth doing practice exams from multiple sources (Avery, AFT, ATC, etc) to cover off all of the exam question styles.
Whatever you do, don't leave flight planning to the end. Alot of people try and knock that off first (but then you run the risk of losing it if you time out).
Really depends on how you work/study. The "easier" subjects are Law, Human Factors and Meteorology, Systems is mostly wrote-learning, so long as you understand the background concepts, then the "harder" subjects are Performance & Loading, Nav and Flight Planning. Flight planning is a prick of an exam - I would highly recommend doing the in person course at AFT at least for flight planning. Also worth doing practice exams from multiple sources (Avery, AFT, ATC, etc) to cover off all of the exam question styles.
Whatever you do, don't leave flight planning to the end. Alot of people try and knock that off first (but then you run the risk of losing it if you time out).
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Kiwiville
Have done both sets, a few years ago now. I found the Nz exams easier but with a greater number of questions and more time.
Aus exam questions slightly more difficult but with less questions and less time.
NZ flight planning way easier, and way more practical. Aus exams have a very outdated syllabus.
Aus exam questions slightly more difficult but with less questions and less time.
NZ flight planning way easier, and way more practical. Aus exams have a very outdated syllabus.
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 987
Likes: 197
From: Mexico City
I did it like most people suggested. Met-Airlaw-Human factors. I then tried Flight Planning and failed. Did Nav and tried FPL again and failed. Systems and failed FPL again.. Performance and loading then bit the bullet and went to Nathan Higgins for 2 weeks flight planning then passed.
The method I used was ok but I kept running out of time. Nathan's was quicker overall. I Passed FPL the day after I finished at Maroochydore. Only had 2 weeks to spare til they all expired!
The method I used was ok but I kept running out of time. Nathan's was quicker overall. I Passed FPL the day after I finished at Maroochydore. Only had 2 weeks to spare til they all expired!
Last edited by Climb150; 29th April 2024 at 18:31.
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 446
Likes: 78
From: australia
I did it like most people suggested. Met-Airlaw-Human factors. I then tried Flight Planning and failed. Did Nav and tried FPL again and failed. Systems and failed FPL again.. Performance and loading then bit the bullet and went to Nathan Higgins for 2 weeks flight planning then passed.
The method I used was ok but I kept running out of time. Nathan's was quicker overall. I Passed FPL the day after I finished at Maroochydore. Only had 2 weeks to spare til they all expired!
The method I used was ok but I kept running out of time. Nathan's was quicker overall. I Passed FPL the day after I finished at Maroochydore. Only had 2 weeks to spare til they all expired!
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 151
Likes: 56
From: Melbourne
That's my recollection too, but it also used to be a 3 year window.
Possibly changed to "rolling" when they reduced the window to 2 years.
I had a slightly different strategy than most here have suggested which was to indeed leave flight planning until last.
The reasons I went with this approach were:
I have a big boy STEM degree and flight planning was easily the most annoying exam I have ever done. The content isn't particularly difficult or complex but just the crap way it is administered (weird calculator, rules of thumb, answers close together, all or nothing multiple choice etc) make it a pain. Feels more like a right of passage than an actual tool for evaluating knowledge.
But like many things in life you just have to put in the work and you can get it done.
Possibly changed to "rolling" when they reduced the window to 2 years.
I had a slightly different strategy than most here have suggested which was to indeed leave flight planning until last.
The reasons I went with this approach were:
- It means you are very "up to speed" on the study/sit exam cycle having just knocked off 6 of the things. You have probably perfected the technique that works for you by this point.
- It avoids any possibility of having to pass FP twice. As soon as you click that button and see 'pass' come up you are completely done. No possibility of any expiration.
I have a big boy STEM degree and flight planning was easily the most annoying exam I have ever done. The content isn't particularly difficult or complex but just the crap way it is administered (weird calculator, rules of thumb, answers close together, all or nothing multiple choice etc) make it a pain. Feels more like a right of passage than an actual tool for evaluating knowledge.
But like many things in life you just have to put in the work and you can get it done.
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 148
Likes: 135
From: Sydney
I did all seven subjects in 3 months. It was a bitch as mentioned above. I did FPL NAV Systems and Performance at AFT in person, then Met HUF, Law at home using the AFT notes. Definitely go see Nathan at AFT. You wont regret it.
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 2
From: Earth
Like many others, I sat the 'easy' ones first. This worked well for me. I'd highly recommend sitting performance and loading before flight planning, as intimate knowledge of the 727 that you can recall quickly will be beneficial for flight planning. Nathan's method (i.e. the CASA method) and tips (e.g. 5 markers first) worked a treat first time but there are other resources out there in addition to AFT that can supplement your exam readiness, e.g. Rob Avery notes and practice exams and ATC. I have never sat his course (though I've heard good things) but there's another guy out there, Dr Steven Holding from the College of Aeronautical Science, who offers a completely different method for flight planning. Understand he also offers ATPL nav.
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Advice - how art thou train. 24yo wanting to fly
Hi folks,
Ambiguous & ambitious question here but please bear with me. Any and all advice will be so helpful. I will keep this short.
Me - I am 24, have worked in property since I left high school (no uni) and enjoy flying (did the trial flight and loved it)
My situation - I have accumulated some funds, in the realm of $160,000 - $180,000. My conundrum is how do I go about approaching my avation journey and how to I utilise those funds to best help that journey. My intention would be to study full time and eventually work at an airline down the track. I am located in Auckland, NZ.
Do I;
To summarise, what would you do if you were in my situation.
Thank you.
Ambiguous & ambitious question here but please bear with me. Any and all advice will be so helpful. I will keep this short.
Me - I am 24, have worked in property since I left high school (no uni) and enjoy flying (did the trial flight and loved it)
My situation - I have accumulated some funds, in the realm of $160,000 - $180,000. My conundrum is how do I go about approaching my avation journey and how to I utilise those funds to best help that journey. My intention would be to study full time and eventually work at an airline down the track. I am located in Auckland, NZ.
Do I;
- Enrol in a school and go get a student loan (plus pay for any shortfall the student loan wont cover) - Potentially investing the remaining funds whilst training
- Fly via an aero club and pay the costs as I go
To summarise, what would you do if you were in my situation.
Thank you.
Joined: Sep 2017
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 198
Likes: 93
From: Living out of a suitcase
Hi folks,
Ambiguous & ambitious question here but please bear with me. Any and all advice will be so helpful. I will keep this short.
Me - I am 24, have worked in property since I left high school (no uni) and enjoy flying (did the trial flight and loved it)
My situation - I have accumulated some funds, in the realm of $160,000 - $180,000. My conundrum is how do I go about approaching my avation journey and how to I utilise those funds to best help that journey. My intention would be to study full time and eventually work at an airline down the track. I am located in Auckland, NZ.
Do I;
To summarise, what would you do if you were in my situation.
Thank you.
Ambiguous & ambitious question here but please bear with me. Any and all advice will be so helpful. I will keep this short.
Me - I am 24, have worked in property since I left high school (no uni) and enjoy flying (did the trial flight and loved it)
My situation - I have accumulated some funds, in the realm of $160,000 - $180,000. My conundrum is how do I go about approaching my avation journey and how to I utilise those funds to best help that journey. My intention would be to study full time and eventually work at an airline down the track. I am located in Auckland, NZ.
Do I;
- Enrol in a school and go get a student loan (plus pay for any shortfall the student loan wont cover) - Potentially investing the remaining funds whilst training
- Fly via an aero club and pay the costs as I go
To summarise, what would you do if you were in my situation.
Thank you.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 274
From: Melbourne, Victoria
You'll learn a lot of skills along the way that would be useful in both work and life, and with experience in Property and a clever tax agent you might even be able to claim aircraft hire for you and "potential clients" to go view "potential purchases" around the country! I can't think of a better way to explore Oz and get reimbursed for it myself.
The world is your oyster, my friend!
Joined: Jun 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 410
From: FNQ ... It's Permanent!
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Midlands
Thread Drift
Hi folks, can anyone tell me what a typical daily rate of pay for an experienced RA-Aus instructor in the Melbourne area would be. The work would involve doing some post license training and a conversion for a private client onto a new aircraft type. Just a ball park figure. Thank you.
Joined: Sep 2017
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 198
Likes: 93
From: Living out of a suitcase
I don't know whether Peter Bini's still around in Moorabbin, but back in the day, they were highly recommended. Interair at Essendon is another one I'd recommend.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 274
From: Melbourne, Victoria
Whilst Peter Bini himself might not be, Bini's at Moorabbin still is and is still a good place to go. Oasis Flight Training (Kris K) is another one to try for ab-initio IFR.
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Cadetship for New Zealand Citzens
Hello Everyone.Ever since I was little, I've wanted to become an airline pilot. I am 17 and in my final year of school in New Zealand and is wondering what cadetships I can apply for as a New Zealand citizen. I've done only a little bit of flying through a gateway program (only the three 20 minute lesson). That's my question, hope some of you can give my advice on this.Thanks
