Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)

[Hursty22]

Originally Posted by 43Inches

You do know that Rex including AAPA are in administration and that any money you hand over to them could be lost completely? Also the Wagga campus has been closed and all operations are moving to Ballarat, so don't be suckered in by the fancy facilities.

Thanks for the info, I have heard the government are likely to bailout Rex because Australia relies on rex for some regional services. Ballarat would probably suit me actually, and I don't care about how fancy the facilities are, I just like the idea of being in the right hand seat of a saab within less than 2 years, but I'd have to make it into the cadetship program first which probably has an acceptance rate of <10%. Any other cadetship programs in Aus (or even US) that anyone would recommend looking into?

[43Inches]

So you are willing to sign up for tens of thousands of debt on the 'hope' the government might bail them out, including the flying school? Do you have any interest in bridges perhaps?

[Hursty22]

Originally Posted by 43Inches

So you are willing to sign up for tens of thousands of debt on the 'hope' the government might bail them out, including the flying school? Do you have any interest in bridges perhaps?

From what I heard Rex will get bailed out by the government IF no one is willing to buy the company, and it is still around 9 months until I am eligible to apply anyway because they require yr12 results in the application.
I have also been looking into TVSA flight school for training and then becoming an instructor there, my mate who has just started his CPL training at TVSA reckons that it's pretty easy to get an instructing job at TVSA after training there, not sure of how true that is though because they can't just give every single student an instructing job straight away. My worry is that I will get my CPL but won't be able to find any work.
What path would you recommended I take with the end goal of flying for a major airline in this current industry?

[Clare Prop]

As a taxpayer I hope they DON'T get bailed out, the reasons have been covered on other threads.
If no-one wants to buy the company then there are very good reasons why the taxpayer shouldn't either.
More brand new low hour CPLs is another thing we shouldn't be paying for.

[engine out]

You could always look at Sharp Aviation. They have been around for quite a while. Of course as with most cadet schemes there is no guarantee of a job. Also do yourself a favour, if you’re not passionate about instructing, don’t do it. There are already to many instructors going through the motions just to get hours who have no enthusiasm for the job and produce poor pilots.

[Hursty22]

Thanks for your suggestion. From the way I read the details of the Sharp cadetship, cadets are employed for a 12 month contract and after that have to find somewhere else to work. Also no loans with the sharp cadetship, so I would have to do a year of FIFO to fund it.

[Hursty22]

Also, any chance of the Jetstar cadetship opening up anytime soon? last I heard they don't offer cadetships anymore.

[engine out]

I think Jetstar are getting people through QGPA at Wellcamp, plus traditional routes.

[Memga]

Air NZ Turboprops vs. Jetstar NZ F/O

Hello all,

The age old question, what should I do with my career? I'm looking for a some opinions to push me off the fence, and that's whether to go into the ANZ TP or run some jet time with JQ.

Air NZ TP
-Not currently hiring and not sure when the hiring will start again? Problems with training and huge backlog of training capabilities? Anyone able to shed light on this.
-Lower pay, I believe ~$85k base with ATPLs on step 4 FO
-Untaxxed allowances, obviously dependant on how much flying but some suggestions ~$20k additional p/a?
-Fairly cruisy roster, great lifestyle and QoL
-Get to live where I want

JQ
-Currently hiring. Timeline for hiring process seems good
-$127k base with taxed allowances , some have suggested the allowances add up to $40k extra, can anyone confirm?
-Busy roster, get worked lots, lots of jet time, not much sleep
-Have to live in CHC or AKL

Correct me if I'm wrong in any of these things. It's seems very much a lifestyle vs. $$ argument. I had a thought, and that's most JQ pilots bugger off to one of the big airlines after a few years. Would say, 3yrs JQ NZ then 3yrs Qatar/Emirates/CX etc.... then to Air NZ TP and start on the bottom rank be a wise financial decision. Or just keep it simple Air NZ TP, sit down get command and get your seniority and sit on $200k after maybe 10yrs?

Hit me with everything,

Cheers

[Eaglerocker]

JQ allowances all tax free

[Memga]

Originally Posted by Eaglerocker

JQ allowances all tax free

Any clue what their final pay looks like?

[Hollywood1]

Let me check my crystal ball ...

[empacher48]

JQNZ F/O is $127K per year as year 1, overtime paid at about $155 per hour if you fly over 65 hours per month. Expect between $10K-$20K a year before tax, depending on how much you want to work. Expect about $1000 a month tax free allowances.

There are busy months and there are quieter months, you do get enough sleep and most pilots in NZ are happy to stay, some look at other options, but no more than any other airline.

[wantobe]

How old are you ? And where do you want to live long term? If you want to live in New Zealand long term, go to Jetstar nz get the jet time until you get into air nz jet as an external and call it a day forever. If you want to live in Australia go to air nz turbo prop and stay there until you get into Qantas mainline.

end.

[Ollie Onion]

Jetstar NZ FO is $131k per year base including meal and rest break compensation, overtime $155 per hour over 65 hours. Company budgets on 10 hours overtime per month for 10.5 months of the year. DTA will be around $800 per month tax free.

If you join the Turboprops with the aim of Air NZ Jet then you are stuck there for probably a decade, if Air NZ Jet is your ultimate aim and you are young then Air NZ TP job all day long. You may get lucky and get a direct entry Jet job with Air NZ after 2 or 3 years with Jetstar but you will then have many many turboprop numbers ahead of you. If Emirates or similar is your career goal then Jetstar is a no trainer. So ultimately if it is a Koru Jet you want then join the TP fleet ASAP.

You would likely get a command at Jetstar in around 4 years as well so you can take that into account t, if I was young I would get into the Air NZ system ASAP, the contract is and always will be better than all other NZ based operators.

[nomess]

Stability is importantly so Air NZ would tick that box. The Jetstar NZ business has always been somewhat a questionable performer, and whilst I doubt they would ever just hand over the market share, it’s a vulnerable bit of group should any black swan event occur, a different management team might take a different approach in the future.

Air NZ you are also not part of the Qantas Group. Another plus.

[empacher48]

Originally Posted by nomess

The Jetstar NZ business has always been somewhat a questionable performer, and whilst I doubt they would ever just hand over the market share, it’s a vulnerable bit of group should any black swan event occur, a different management team might take a different approach in the future..

A few years ago there was probably the biggest black swan event to hit aviation, one where any business very quickly shut down and removed any unprofitable or unviable operation. Jetstar NZ and Jetconnect are still here today. AirNZ at the same time furloughed or made redundant 400 pilots.

[silaswh]

Seeking Advice on ADF Pilot Pathways vs. Qantas Academy for Airline Pilot Career

Hi all,

I’m currently in high school and have already obtained my RPL (Recreational Pilot Licence). I’m trying to decide between pursuing a career through the ADF Pilot Pathways (ADFA or Direct Entry) or going through the Qantas Academy with the ultimate goal of becoming an airline pilot. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experience with either of these paths, particularly regarding long-term prospects, the transition to airlines, and the differences in training.

Here’s what I’m comparing:

• ADFA with an Aeronautical Engineering Degree, followed by a transition to a pilot role (either fast jets or fixed-wing aircraft).
• Direct Entry into the ADF Pilot Pathway, straight into a pilot role.
• Qantas Academy, followed by direct entry into an airline.
• UNSW Bachelor of Aviation is also another option for me, but the other two are much preferred.

My end goal is to become an airline pilot, ideally flying for Qantas. I’m also highly interested in the possibility of flying fast jets in the ADF, or any role within the ADF that could help me toward that goal. Understanding the long-term differences between these options would be incredibly helpful.

Any insights into the pros and cons of these pathways would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance!

[engine out]

The Qantas Academy does not guarantee you a path into Qantas. At best at the moment it may get you into QantasLink. Anecdotally only about 50% get onto the hold file for Qantas group. Getting into Qlink can make a transition into mainline harder (and again no guaranteed pathway).

Airforce sounds exciting but be aware you go where your told and do what your told. This may include fighting wars you don’t believe in and killing civilians and being killed yourself. You will also need to convert to civilian licences. However everyone I know who joined military loved it.

university degrees are a waste of time unless nothing to do with aviation.

[Clare Prop]

If you go the military route you will have a guaranteed career path with training and study paid for, and good career opportunities after leaving. The other route is the opposite, no guarantees and you pay for everything, often with a massive debilitating debt. You have to compete with your own cohort with identical training for the scant jobs, and see them go to people whose logbooks show initiative and relevant experience rather than following a bouncing ball.
A degree is good to have as a back up in case you develop a condition that may stop you from flying but it won't make any difference in a civilian flying career other than networking.

Maybe chat to your former instructors, most of us can spot someone who has what it takes to succeed in the military very early on. It's not something you can teach, it is innate. They might be able to give you an opinion of the career path that would suit your personality type.

I'd say apply for the military and if that isn't successful look at the options for civilian flying training and careers. Qantas isn't the be-all and end-all, there is so much more out there.