RFDS QLD Advertising for Pilots
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: In Transit
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
RFDS QLD Advertising for Pilots
Hi all,
Interested on any info on working conditions, rosters etc for RFDS QLD section as advertised below. (Hold Pool)
Pilot
Most recent thread I could find did not seem like there was a good environment regarding current management situation, is this still the case or have things improved / deteriorated further? What are the major issues?
PM if you prefer not to state on here.
Thanks.
Interested on any info on working conditions, rosters etc for RFDS QLD section as advertised below. (Hold Pool)
Pilot
Most recent thread I could find did not seem like there was a good environment regarding current management situation, is this still the case or have things improved / deteriorated further? What are the major issues?
PM if you prefer not to state on here.
Thanks.
screening
Maybe they are looking for people with a few grey hairs?
As far as I can work out from Part 61, ATPL(A) needs:
>21 years old
CPL or Multi-Crew licence (A)
Theory pass
Flight training for ATPL
Pass the flight test IFR turbine with co-pilot, or in an approved sim
Multi-crew co-op course pass
Experience:
>1500 hrs aeronautical experience
>1400 as a pilot
>750 as pilot (A)
either >500 PICUS(A)
or >250 PIC or PICUS (70 must be PIC)
and >200 cross country(A)
and >100 cross country PIC or PICUS (PICUS being the new ICUS
)
and >100 night that's not dual
and >75 IF
and >45 IF(A)
How is this impossible? Costly, yes, but ...
>21 years old
CPL or Multi-Crew licence (A)
Theory pass
Flight training for ATPL
Pass the flight test IFR turbine with co-pilot, or in an approved sim
Multi-crew co-op course pass
Experience:
>1500 hrs aeronautical experience
>1400 as a pilot
>750 as pilot (A)
either >500 PICUS(A)
or >250 PIC or PICUS (70 must be PIC)
and >200 cross country(A)
and >100 cross country PIC or PICUS (PICUS being the new ICUS
)and >100 night that's not dual
and >75 IF
and >45 IF(A)
How is this impossible? Costly, yes, but ...
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Still in Paradise
Age: 60
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To answer your questions,
the Pilot EA for RFDSQ is on the AFAP website
The rosters are constructed to support a 24/7 SPIFR service, 0600-1800-0600 or variations thereof
Working conditions are excellent as are the aircraft and team. The fleet is currently all Proline 21-2 dual FMS B200 Kingairs with a couple of pc12s getting ready to retire; a new B350HW is enroute from USA, should be landing in Oz tomorrow.
Most vacancies in RFDSQ are as a result of retirement or expansion; very few pilots leave the organisation for another job. Should give you an insight into the 'environment'.
the Pilot EA for RFDSQ is on the AFAP website
The rosters are constructed to support a 24/7 SPIFR service, 0600-1800-0600 or variations thereof
Working conditions are excellent as are the aircraft and team. The fleet is currently all Proline 21-2 dual FMS B200 Kingairs with a couple of pc12s getting ready to retire; a new B350HW is enroute from USA, should be landing in Oz tomorrow.
Most vacancies in RFDSQ are as a result of retirement or expansion; very few pilots leave the organisation for another job. Should give you an insight into the 'environment'.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I second that Jamair, best gig in aviation, but not for the inexperienced.
Landing on dirt station strips in the middle of the night, frequent in flight diversions etc, all single pilot in a B200.
The ability to think on your feet is definitely a prerequisite as is the abitlity to work as part of a small team of pilot, doctor and nurse managing some times very challenging situations.
It is much more than just a flying job. Its being part of a team of very skilled individuals, flying late model, very well equipped and maintained aircraft, helping some of the most remote people in the country. Doesn't get any better than that :-)
Landing on dirt station strips in the middle of the night, frequent in flight diversions etc, all single pilot in a B200.
The ability to think on your feet is definitely a prerequisite as is the abitlity to work as part of a small team of pilot, doctor and nurse managing some times very challenging situations.
It is much more than just a flying job. Its being part of a team of very skilled individuals, flying late model, very well equipped and maintained aircraft, helping some of the most remote people in the country. Doesn't get any better than that :-)
Last edited by Swamp Duck; 21st Mar 2015 at 13:06. Reason: see
all single pilot in a B200.
I recall from many years ago the Essendon branch of the RFDS or Aerial Ambulance, employed a Swiss national who had thousands of hours on the King Air. He resigned after three weeks saying it was crazy flying single pilot in the RFDS environment. He had been used to doing the same job in Europe where the regulations required a two pilot crew for all multi-engine turbine ops.
In retrospect, it was possible that RFDS two pilot ops could well prevented the death of an RFDS pilot who was killed several years ago, while on final approach at night to Mt Gambier. He was highly experienced. ATSB was unable to pin down the cause of the crash which happened 4 miles out on final and a witness seeing the landing lights.
The weather at the time (mist, light rain and very dark) was conducive to erroneous indications by the T-VASIS due light signal refraction caused by high moisture. It was later revealed that the Mount Gambier T-VASIS was well known by local pilots for this problem.
I would argue that the Swiss national had not been doing the same job in Europe as he would have always had an ILS nearby, no remote landings let alone remote areas, no flare or car headlight landings and extremely good radar coverage. Also, it is likely he had minimal single pilot experience and SP versus Multi crew is a completely different operation and mindset. Also coming from Europe the concept of something as simple as the distances to travel in Australia are completely foreign. Yes he would have had significant weather flying experience, but again multi crew in a radar controlled environment with numerous alternates. The skill sets required do not transfer over easily, although if the individual did resign then obviously he was mature and professional enough to recognise it was not for him. Having done both RFDS and now years of worldwide multi-crew operations I can categorically say that RFDS flying was, at times, the most personally challenging and professionally rewarding that I have ever done.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Here and there
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Two pilots would be a luxury that the operation can't carry, the ranges required vs the gear that is carried virtually rule out two pilots (just can't carry the weight).
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It is not crazy to fly single pilot in thr RFDS environment. You just have to employ the right people with the right experience level, skill set, and mind set. As I said, it is not a job for the inexperienced.
If you look through the pilot ranks within Queensland RFDS you will find some of the most experienced aviators in the country with some amazing back grounds and yes quite a bit of grey hair.
This is complimented by excellent equipment including dual FMS, Proline 21 King Airs with paperless cockpits.
The training is second to none, done by the cream of these outstanding aviators to ensure a safe operation.
The culture within the RFDS is one of support and training as these aviators have nothing to prove so you can rely on support without criticism from any of your fellow pilots which is a vast knowledge base any time of the day or night.
Yes we do fly single pilot, but we are also a team.
The RFDS motto "Can Do, Can Do Safely" is what it is all about.
If you look through the pilot ranks within Queensland RFDS you will find some of the most experienced aviators in the country with some amazing back grounds and yes quite a bit of grey hair.
This is complimented by excellent equipment including dual FMS, Proline 21 King Airs with paperless cockpits.
The training is second to none, done by the cream of these outstanding aviators to ensure a safe operation.
The culture within the RFDS is one of support and training as these aviators have nothing to prove so you can rely on support without criticism from any of your fellow pilots which is a vast knowledge base any time of the day or night.
Yes we do fly single pilot, but we are also a team.
The RFDS motto "Can Do, Can Do Safely" is what it is all about.
Last edited by Swamp Duck; 22nd Mar 2015 at 00:11.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All positions are advertised internally first based on seniority before going out to new recruits Most new positions, but not always will be in the remote traditional bases, Charleville or Mount Isa.
The remote traditional bases do offer the best flying as they do mainly primary retrieval. The coastal bases, other than Cairns as it is traditional do mainly hospital transfers, so pilots that transfer from the remote bases to the coastal bases generally only do so for family reasons.
The remote traditional bases do offer the best flying as they do mainly primary retrieval. The coastal bases, other than Cairns as it is traditional do mainly hospital transfers, so pilots that transfer from the remote bases to the coastal bases generally only do so for family reasons.
Last edited by Swamp Duck; 22nd Mar 2015 at 04:00.
Join Date: May 2006
Location: The Dog House
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The training is second to none, done by the cream of these outstanding aviators to ensure a safe operation.
The culture within the RFDS is one of support and training as these aviators have nothing to prove so you can rely on support without criticism from any of your fellow pilots which is a vast knowledge base any time of the day or night.
Yes we do fly single pilot, but we are also a team."
Pity this can't be said for other sections....................
The culture within the RFDS is one of support and training as these aviators have nothing to prove so you can rely on support without criticism from any of your fellow pilots which is a vast knowledge base any time of the day or night.
Yes we do fly single pilot, but we are also a team."
Pity this can't be said for other sections....................
Sprucegoose
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Hughes Point, where life is great! Was also resident on page 13, but now I'm lost in Cyberspace....
Age: 59
Posts: 3,485
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Pity this can't be said for other sections....................
Give them time they will get there, the RFDS is a slow moving animal!
On the subject of two crew, my guess is it will start to appear in RFDS operations within the next 5 years. Most likely driven by contractual requirements for the various State (and Territory) contracts.
And not before time too!
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Australia
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why do you all think that you need two pilots to fly a King Air. Last time I looked it was a single pilot aeroplane. If you're not up to it I suggest that you need not apply.
RFDS pilots are a different breed, true bush pilots rather than the automation managing cadets being churned out today who know the books inside out but would balk at less than 2000m of tarmac with an ILS at both ends.
As I said, it is not a job for the inexperienced.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is complimented by excellent equipment including dual FMS, Proline 21 King Airs with paperless cockpits.
The training is second to none, done by the cream of these outstanding aviators to ensure a safe operation.
The culture within the RFDS is one of support and training as these aviators have nothing to prove so you can rely on support without criticism from any of your fellow pilots which is a vast knowledge base any time of the day or night.
The training is second to none, done by the cream of these outstanding aviators to ensure a safe operation.
The culture within the RFDS is one of support and training as these aviators have nothing to prove so you can rely on support without criticism from any of your fellow pilots which is a vast knowledge base any time of the day or night.