Getting Back to Flying in Australia
Getting Back to Flying in Australia
Hey, everyone,
Tought I'd pick some brains on here as to the best way to go about potentially coming back to Australia and getting flying work.
Short background: I originally came to AU in 2018, got all the conversions done right before Covid, and, even after most restrictions were lifted, still couldn't get a job... so went back to Canada, where I'm flying now. At present, I've got the following:
So, any thoughts or suggestions? (For the sake of argument, let's just say there's family reasons to come back to Australia that aren't flying related... And, yes, I'm aware of the quagmire that is CASA and their regulations.)
Tought I'd pick some brains on here as to the best way to go about potentially coming back to Australia and getting flying work.
Short background: I originally came to AU in 2018, got all the conversions done right before Covid, and, even after most restrictions were lifted, still couldn't get a job... so went back to Canada, where I'm flying now. At present, I've got the following:
- CPL-A (AU/CA), with a couple of months' of flying to go until I've got the hours to get the ATPL signed off in Canada
- Multi-IFR 2D/3D (AU/CA, current in CA)
- 2000ish hours, most from the right, but now building PIC
- Class 1 medical (CA)
- Current MIFR or medical in Australia (but haven't had any issues holding/renewing either while I was living there)
- ATPL exams (planning to go the conversion route, which means 2 exams instead of 7)
- MCC course (though it's been refreshing seeing it vanish from a lot of new airline postings)
- ASIC (expired a couple of months ago, can't renew without an "operational need")
So, any thoughts or suggestions? (For the sake of argument, let's just say there's family reasons to come back to Australia that aren't flying related... And, yes, I'm aware of the quagmire that is CASA and their regulations.)
Last edited by AlphaVictorFoxtrot; 3rd Apr 2023 at 02:55.
Currently Im going through converting my Canadian CPL/IR so I cant say too much about the ATPL stuff yet but hopefully this helps.
From what I can gather (mostly from what people tell me) is that you wont really get a response until you're current/ meet all the requirements listed (exams, ASIC, medical etc) but once you do its a matter of waiting. Hour wise you'd probably be okay but its really those exams holding you back for airlines. They know that these exams (the ATPLs specifically) can take quite a while and may even require time off as compared to the SAMRA and SARON, there is quite a bit more to them. The MCC course you may be exempt to if you have multi crew time which by the sounds of it you do.
It might be worth it not to do the ATPL conversion and simply renew your CPL/IR as the conversion will require a "flight test". This seems kind of backwards to say go do 7 exams instead of 2-3 and downgrade however not only is it a pain in the neck to schedule, its also VERY expensive. There's a guy at the same flight school I am at now who wanted to convert his ATP (USA) and his quote was 30K all in assuming he passed first try. Keep in mind this individual also has 737 PIC time and they're still making him go through that.
Thats the reason I didnt stay in Canada for my ATPL as since I was wanting to come home due to various reasons, I probably would've needed to downgrade to a CPL anyway.
Either way once its all done I dont think you'll have issues getting work it just needs to be done first.
From what I can gather (mostly from what people tell me) is that you wont really get a response until you're current/ meet all the requirements listed (exams, ASIC, medical etc) but once you do its a matter of waiting. Hour wise you'd probably be okay but its really those exams holding you back for airlines. They know that these exams (the ATPLs specifically) can take quite a while and may even require time off as compared to the SAMRA and SARON, there is quite a bit more to them. The MCC course you may be exempt to if you have multi crew time which by the sounds of it you do.
It might be worth it not to do the ATPL conversion and simply renew your CPL/IR as the conversion will require a "flight test". This seems kind of backwards to say go do 7 exams instead of 2-3 and downgrade however not only is it a pain in the neck to schedule, its also VERY expensive. There's a guy at the same flight school I am at now who wanted to convert his ATP (USA) and his quote was 30K all in assuming he passed first try. Keep in mind this individual also has 737 PIC time and they're still making him go through that.
Thats the reason I didnt stay in Canada for my ATPL as since I was wanting to come home due to various reasons, I probably would've needed to downgrade to a CPL anyway.
Either way once its all done I dont think you'll have issues getting work it just needs to be done first.
