Cairns and "Up North"
Check Attitude
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Queensland, Australia
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BMU & THM
GAM operates as "Stewart Aviation", "Commander Air" and "Reefwatch". Normal entry method is by invitation, i.e. someone in already is prepared to recommend you (and accept the consequences if you turn out to be a dud). Chief Pilot is Charlie Mogg, YBBN, but Gary Trench, YMEN is the man usually to give the nod.
So find out who's flying for them already and say hello as suggested, or visit YMEN. The aircraft are probably amongst the best maintained GA types in OZ. At one stage they operated an active hold file with seniority for vacancies.
THM, I think GAM used to operate a flying school under some name at Avalon or Point Cook, maybe instructing could be a leg in.
As for Cairns, as I said earlier, you are, because of experience requirements, more likely to finish up in GA there than start there. There are a lot of pilots waiting in Cairns, not as many as Darwin.
If you are "Up North" around March/April, the big experience is Prawn Spotting in the Gulf, Karumba, then Boroloola. AeroTropics, (C310/BE58/AC50), GAM (AC50) and other operators from everywhere join in the fun, the season starts April 1, but some preliminary spotting happens before that to suss out where the prawns are so that after the Le Mans start for the trawlers, they have some idea where to start trawling.
This is good multi time building, expect 7 hours stick time per day with exemptions for duty and weekly totals,but personal discipline needed as many aircraft are in close proximity using 250' vert separation, bit like gliders thermalling.
If you do get to work in Cairns, it's the closest thing to paradise you will experience in GA.
GAM operates as "Stewart Aviation", "Commander Air" and "Reefwatch". Normal entry method is by invitation, i.e. someone in already is prepared to recommend you (and accept the consequences if you turn out to be a dud). Chief Pilot is Charlie Mogg, YBBN, but Gary Trench, YMEN is the man usually to give the nod.
So find out who's flying for them already and say hello as suggested, or visit YMEN. The aircraft are probably amongst the best maintained GA types in OZ. At one stage they operated an active hold file with seniority for vacancies.
THM, I think GAM used to operate a flying school under some name at Avalon or Point Cook, maybe instructing could be a leg in.
As for Cairns, as I said earlier, you are, because of experience requirements, more likely to finish up in GA there than start there. There are a lot of pilots waiting in Cairns, not as many as Darwin.
If you are "Up North" around March/April, the big experience is Prawn Spotting in the Gulf, Karumba, then Boroloola. AeroTropics, (C310/BE58/AC50), GAM (AC50) and other operators from everywhere join in the fun, the season starts April 1, but some preliminary spotting happens before that to suss out where the prawns are so that after the Le Mans start for the trawlers, they have some idea where to start trawling.
This is good multi time building, expect 7 hours stick time per day with exemptions for duty and weekly totals,but personal discipline needed as many aircraft are in close proximity using 250' vert separation, bit like gliders thermalling.
If you do get to work in Cairns, it's the closest thing to paradise you will experience in GA.
Join Date: Mar 2000
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The listing that BMU gave is very comprehensive - I don't think old mate in Victoria who sells the JP Airline Fleet will be too impressed though!! There goes his "heading to QLD" customers! BMU's pretty much got it covered though, just a few old names and a/c that don't limp around anymore in the listings, but at least you'll get the general idea!!
I got my first job out of here as a lowley 200hr pilot, and my second and third. CS has a lot to offer, from the bottom end to the top end of the scale. Not many places around anymore where they hold a 74' up for a 206 on final. Thats the sort of place it is. All aspects of aviation is here. And it IS a top place to live.
As a famous songster once sang - "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, in ole............." , you get the drift - too many nights of karaoke at the Gateway coming through there - sorry. Good luck!!
I got my first job out of here as a lowley 200hr pilot, and my second and third. CS has a lot to offer, from the bottom end to the top end of the scale. Not many places around anymore where they hold a 74' up for a 206 on final. Thats the sort of place it is. All aspects of aviation is here. And it IS a top place to live.
As a famous songster once sang - "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere, in ole............." , you get the drift - too many nights of karaoke at the Gateway coming through there - sorry. Good luck!!
Join Date: Sep 1998
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I wish some of you guys would cool it a little about Cairns. Appropriately for this forum, we used to call it Godzone country. It has been my home for many years. I am not there now and you guys are not making it easier to get back. If you are working for a good operator in Cairns there is really not much reason to move including airlines.
The weather is hot but not so much as Darwin, the women dress appropriately.....! A Great place.
From my experience in the area anyone who sticks it out long enough there will end up with a job, maybe in Torres Strait but that's OK too....for a while. The Aviation scene is very active, the women warm and the water inviting. I think I got them in the wrong order there somehow! The flying is quite good too.
The weather is hot but not so much as Darwin, the women dress appropriately.....! A Great place.
From my experience in the area anyone who sticks it out long enough there will end up with a job, maybe in Torres Strait but that's OK too....for a while. The Aviation scene is very active, the women warm and the water inviting. I think I got them in the wrong order there somehow! The flying is quite good too.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Further to Beech me Up's excellent post.
Aerotropics C/P is Ian Cooper
He is a very hard man to see as he's very busy and I understand they prefer people to apply through their web site. www.aero-tropics.com.au
Added to there fleet they also have a couple/few AC50's (Aerocommanders/Shrikes)
Apart from Rick and Ian I don't think they base any pilots outa CS. If so not many as most of there flying is on HID.
Cape York no longer has a C206.
Also no base on HID. They do go through there from Badu Isl and have a desk in the terminal but thats is. They have recently changed hands and I THINK have been bought by a local "syndicate." Not sure who the CP is anymore.
Hinterland Aviation is owned by Trail Finders a travel agent & the C/P is Sam Sapuppo.
Aerotropics C/P is Ian Cooper
He is a very hard man to see as he's very busy and I understand they prefer people to apply through their web site. www.aero-tropics.com.au
Added to there fleet they also have a couple/few AC50's (Aerocommanders/Shrikes)
Apart from Rick and Ian I don't think they base any pilots outa CS. If so not many as most of there flying is on HID.
Cape York no longer has a C206.
Also no base on HID. They do go through there from Badu Isl and have a desk in the terminal but thats is. They have recently changed hands and I THINK have been bought by a local "syndicate." Not sure who the CP is anymore.
Hinterland Aviation is owned by Trail Finders a travel agent & the C/P is Sam Sapuppo.
Last edited by J0N0; 6th Sep 2002 at 05:04.
All the above is pretty close to the mark.
Northern Air Services in the Staits apparently ceased trading a month or so back, and is now owned/run by Barrier aviation, but possibly still trading under the NAS name.
Northern Air Services in the Staits apparently ceased trading a month or so back, and is now owned/run by Barrier aviation, but possibly still trading under the NAS name.
Check Attitude
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661, YES, beer is expensive, try $5+ for a stubby or $44 for a carton. Anywhere remote has logistics problems that are solved with money. Zone A tax rebates are an attempt to compensate for the transport added costs to everything and the minor inconveniences incurred by living/working in a remote area.
apart from that, HID is not such a bad place, there are certainly worse places to live/work as a pilot. Strong sense of camaradery amongst the pilot community, there have been previous posts reminiscing the experience many have enjoyed.
The bonus for a pilot though, is the opportunity to fly in and out of a couple of challenging strips and enjoy some spectacular and photogenic scenery while you do it, and the Torres Straits islanders are generally a jovial race with a good sense of humour.
Very few regret their time/experience there.
apart from that, HID is not such a bad place, there are certainly worse places to live/work as a pilot. Strong sense of camaradery amongst the pilot community, there have been previous posts reminiscing the experience many have enjoyed.
The bonus for a pilot though, is the opportunity to fly in and out of a couple of challenging strips and enjoy some spectacular and photogenic scenery while you do it, and the Torres Straits islanders are generally a jovial race with a good sense of humour.
Very few regret their time/experience there.
