Newbie & Flying Training Advice (Merged)
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,862
Likes: 444
From: QLD - where drivers are yet to realise that the left lane goes to their destination too.
Mate, if anything the takeaway from the many threads on this is: appropriate licences with appropriate hours. Employers of pilots are not looking for degrees.
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: NZ
AUS/NZ jobs
If I had a PPLA and instrument rating in this category, as well as a CPLH how valuable would this be when trying to find a job? Or is it not worth completing the instrument rating. Want to head down the path of flying helicopters IFR.
Joined: Sep 2017
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 198
Likes: 93
From: Living out of a suitcase
Hi all
I am year 11 high school student in Brisbane and my goal is to work as a pilot in a major airline like Qantas but I can at first work in any regional airlines or as CFI as a starting point.
my question is do I need a bachelor of aviation degree before I study in a flight school?
I know having a degree related to aviation can be an advantage but I can get it after I get my CPL so then I can both work and study to have a degree before trying to get in the airline I want
or what is the right path to take in these years in Australia?
I don't know what else information I should be given to express my situation as clearly as it needs to be.
Thank you!!
I am year 11 high school student in Brisbane and my goal is to work as a pilot in a major airline like Qantas but I can at first work in any regional airlines or as CFI as a starting point.
my question is do I need a bachelor of aviation degree before I study in a flight school?
I know having a degree related to aviation can be an advantage but I can get it after I get my CPL so then I can both work and study to have a degree before trying to get in the airline I want
or what is the right path to take in these years in Australia?
I don't know what else information I should be given to express my situation as clearly as it needs to be.
Thank you!!
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 274
From: Melbourne, Victoria
Seriously though, whilst you don't NEED a degree to get your 1000 hours or so required flight experience, whilst you're building that time (and studying for the various ratings along the way) you still need to live somehow. Carefully chosen, the degree path can open up other (non-pilot) opportunities in the aviation industry both during and after your flying career and thus give you more options than just loading shelves at the local supermarket with everyone else. I suggest you seriously consider it.
Studying for a degree around your rostered hours post-CPL from some small outback town is certainly possible.. hard work, but possible. The skies are yours - go for it.
Last edited by PiperCameron; 18th July 2025 at 01:39.
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
Bit harsh.. they have computers for that, ya know?
Seriously though, whilst you don't NEED a degree to get your 1000 hours or so required flight experience, whilst you're building that time (and studying for the various ratings along the way) you still need to live somehow. Carefully chosen, the degree path can open up other (non-pilot) opportunities in the aviation industry both during and after your flying career and thus give you more options than just loading shelves at the local supermarket with everyone else. I suggest you seriously consider it.
Studying for a degree around your rostered hours post-CPL from some small outback town is certainly possible.. hard work, but possible. The skies are yours - go for it.
Seriously though, whilst you don't NEED a degree to get your 1000 hours or so required flight experience, whilst you're building that time (and studying for the various ratings along the way) you still need to live somehow. Carefully chosen, the degree path can open up other (non-pilot) opportunities in the aviation industry both during and after your flying career and thus give you more options than just loading shelves at the local supermarket with everyone else. I suggest you seriously consider it.
Studying for a degree around your rostered hours post-CPL from some small outback town is certainly possible.. hard work, but possible. The skies are yours - go for it.
thanks for the advice
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 889
From: Oz
Do your research on the financials behind the degree also, especially what happens after you get licensed.
Indexation is extremely painful on your loan total if you fail to secure work, or work for low paying jobs which is the norm, in the first few years. I’ve heard some horror stories, with people failing to get work, and a loan total in the high 200s. Even those who get work, only earn enough to pay off the interest/indexation, so barely get ahead. Again, when they finally pay it off, total is well into the 200s.
Indexation is extremely painful on your loan total if you fail to secure work, or work for low paying jobs which is the norm, in the first few years. I’ve heard some horror stories, with people failing to get work, and a loan total in the high 200s. Even those who get work, only earn enough to pay off the interest/indexation, so barely get ahead. Again, when they finally pay it off, total is well into the 200s.
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Brisbane, Australia
Do your research on the financials behind the degree also, especially what happens after you get licensed.
Indexation is extremely painful on your loan total if you fail to secure work, or work for low paying jobs which is the norm, in the first few years. I’ve heard some horror stories, with people failing to get work, and a loan total in the high 200s. Even those who get work, only earn enough to pay off the interest/indexation, so barely get ahead. Again, when they finally pay it off, total is well into the 200s.
Indexation is extremely painful on your loan total if you fail to secure work, or work for low paying jobs which is the norm, in the first few years. I’ve heard some horror stories, with people failing to get work, and a loan total in the high 200s. Even those who get work, only earn enough to pay off the interest/indexation, so barely get ahead. Again, when they finally pay it off, total is well into the 200s.
thanks
I got some guaranteed work outside of aviation which can fund my loan but according to QLD government website you don’t need to pay your loan until you exceeded something around 50k a year income so based on that I was thinking of just start the flight training
is it risky?
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: NZ
AUS/NZ jobs
If I had a PPLA and instrument rating in this category, as well as a CPLH how valuable would this be when trying to find a job? Or is it not worth completing the instrument rating. Want to head down the path of flying helicopters IFR.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 274
From: Melbourne, Victoria
It's all valuable experience (especially working with a smaller crowd in a fairly remote area where, for example, they might do joy-flights/charter in helos and have a fixed-wing to go get supplies). If helicopter IFR is what you want to do, then it's worth doing the conversion and completing your training.
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: NZ
It's all valuable experience (especially working with a smaller crowd in a fairly remote area where, for example, they might do joy-flights/charter in helos and have a fixed-wing to go get supplies). If helicopter IFR is what you want to do, then it's worth doing the conversion and completing your training.
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 1,087
Likes: 274
From: Melbourne, Victoria
Seriously though, it would not surprise me to hear there was more demand for chopper pilots in NW WA, FNQ, Alice, etc. than fixed-wing, if only because typical low-time fixed-wing pilots in the same situation are really just looking for a way into an airline job and have no intention of making a career from showing tourists our spectacular country.
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: NZ
Nope.. but that gives you an edge then, doesn't it?
Seriously though, it would not surprise me to hear there was more demand for chopper pilots in NW WA, FNQ, Alice, etc. than fixed-wing, if only because typical low-time fixed-wing pilots in the same situation are really just looking for a way into an airline job and have no intention of making a career from showing tourists our spectacular country.
Seriously though, it would not surprise me to hear there was more demand for chopper pilots in NW WA, FNQ, Alice, etc. than fixed-wing, if only because typical low-time fixed-wing pilots in the same situation are really just looking for a way into an airline job and have no intention of making a career from showing tourists our spectacular country.
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Basair Instructor Rating
Hey guys,
If anyone has thoughts they are happy to privately share re the Basair Instructor Rating in Brisbane, I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm looking at the FEE HELP option in the new year. Yes i get the financials are horrible, but im in Darwin with my 250hr CV (minus Flight Standards GA Ready course), and im getting nowhere, anywhere.
Cheers
If anyone has thoughts they are happy to privately share re the Basair Instructor Rating in Brisbane, I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm looking at the FEE HELP option in the new year. Yes i get the financials are horrible, but im in Darwin with my 250hr CV (minus Flight Standards GA Ready course), and im getting nowhere, anywhere.
Cheers
Joined: Sep 2025
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Australia
PNG Air Law Exam
Hi,
wondering if anyone knows of any practice exams, question banks, exam traps, online resources or any other tips to help when preparing for the PNG Air Law Exam?
TIA
wondering if anyone knows of any practice exams, question banks, exam traps, online resources or any other tips to help when preparing for the PNG Air Law Exam?
TIA
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 215
Likes: 69
From: In God's Country
Basair Instructor RatingHey guys,
If anyone has thoughts they are happy to privately share re the Basair Instructor Rating in Brisbane, I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm looking at the FEE HELP option in the new year. Yes i get the financials are horrible, but im in Darwin with my 250hr CV (minus Flight Standards GA Ready course), and im getting nowhere, anywhere.
I wouldn't recommend doing an Instructor Rating if your only motivation for it is because you haven't found a charter job in Darwin / elsewhere in the Top End - which of itself surprises me, because there are a good amount of vacant pilot positions & as a CP in the region, at the moment I'm seeing less & less pilots "doing the rounds" dropping off resumes...
Doing an Instructor Rating should be borne of a genuine motivation to contribute positively to the development of trainee pilots, rather than looking for a "fall back" VET FEE solution for a "cookie cutter" course which will likely only worsen your situation. Maybe you should take a look at your current strategy for finding a pilot job in the NT & change something if what you're doing isn't working.
Not all operators require / desire the Flight Standards GA course.
If anyone has thoughts they are happy to privately share re the Basair Instructor Rating in Brisbane, I'd be interested in hearing them. I'm looking at the FEE HELP option in the new year. Yes i get the financials are horrible, but im in Darwin with my 250hr CV (minus Flight Standards GA Ready course), and im getting nowhere, anywhere.
I wouldn't recommend doing an Instructor Rating if your only motivation for it is because you haven't found a charter job in Darwin / elsewhere in the Top End - which of itself surprises me, because there are a good amount of vacant pilot positions & as a CP in the region, at the moment I'm seeing less & less pilots "doing the rounds" dropping off resumes...
Doing an Instructor Rating should be borne of a genuine motivation to contribute positively to the development of trainee pilots, rather than looking for a "fall back" VET FEE solution for a "cookie cutter" course which will likely only worsen your situation. Maybe you should take a look at your current strategy for finding a pilot job in the NT & change something if what you're doing isn't working.
Not all operators require / desire the Flight Standards GA course.
