Flying schools around Melbourne
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Flying schools around Melbourne
I'm about to take the plunge and shell out for flying lessons, probably in Melbourne - initially for a PPL, with the intention of getting totally hooked on flying and simply having to go on to CPL, ATPL and then a happy life ever after above the clouds 
Thing is I'm not sure of which school/instructor would be the right one for me? Anyone out there got any recommendations? Also what kind of questions should I be asking the schools to get a clearer picture?
Many thanks
Thing is I'm not sure of which school/instructor would be the right one for me? Anyone out there got any recommendations? Also what kind of questions should I be asking the schools to get a clearer picture?
Many thanks
Depends on where you live really, and how far you want to travel.
There are many many schools at Moorabbin so you have almost unlimited choice there. Their rates are all pretty similar, except for GFS - they are a bit more expensive, but have mostly brand new equipment. Most other schools have the same tired PA-28's and Cessnas that I learned in.. 13 years ago.
A mate of mine started recently and I pointed himat Lilydale - was close for them (living in the outer eastern subs) and they also have good rates and a good overall feel. Very entusiastic instructors.
Dont know anything about schools at Essendon - never needed to use any of them. There is also an arm of GFS at Point Cook, and Peninsula Aero Club at Tyabb. I would recommend them if you live down that way.
Bevan..
There are many many schools at Moorabbin so you have almost unlimited choice there. Their rates are all pretty similar, except for GFS - they are a bit more expensive, but have mostly brand new equipment. Most other schools have the same tired PA-28's and Cessnas that I learned in.. 13 years ago.
A mate of mine started recently and I pointed himat Lilydale - was close for them (living in the outer eastern subs) and they also have good rates and a good overall feel. Very entusiastic instructors.
Dont know anything about schools at Essendon - never needed to use any of them. There is also an arm of GFS at Point Cook, and Peninsula Aero Club at Tyabb. I would recommend them if you live down that way.
Bevan..
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Essendon
Essendon has the following schools
National Aerospace Training
Crest Aviation (My choice) 93799032
Pearsons
Wings
Interair (just started, great a/c)
Point Cook has the following
Point Cook Flying Club (division of Royal Vic Aero Club) 93951735
General Flying Services
Also take a look at Ballarat Aero Club they have quite cheap rates and good instruction.
Ang
National Aerospace Training
Crest Aviation (My choice) 93799032
Pearsons
Wings
Interair (just started, great a/c)
Point Cook has the following
Point Cook Flying Club (division of Royal Vic Aero Club) 93951735
General Flying Services
Also take a look at Ballarat Aero Club they have quite cheap rates and good instruction.
Ang
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Without sounding like going with the flow, Lillydale is pretty good from experience. Keen instructors and a good CFI.... and no i'm not looking for a job there! Just have a good look at all of the ones that are within reasonable distance to you, then narrow it down to the friendliest (and most genuine) ones. I would personally look at people before price..... they are often related anyway!
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TVSA
The Bacchus Marsh School of Aviation is very very good. extremely profsessional and knowledgeable staff better than most instructors. Also not being a controlled aerodrome they have more freedom and lower rates. Nice aeroplanes too!!
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My advise is you look in the yellow pages and visit all the flying schools in your area. Believe me there are plenty in Melbourne. You are the best judge of who to learn to fly with. The best bet is pick one close to you with reasonable rates and a instructor who actually cares about your progress................and not just how many hours they have in there log book or what aircraft Virgin or Qantas are buying next......................... AND DON’T PAY IN ADVANCE PAY AS YOU GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you do an hours flying pay for an hour. Don’t hand over $10,000 to someone you met yesterday, even if it is a university or a TAFE college.
Wagit
Wagit
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Wagit makes a very good point visit schools have a look around.
It won't take you long to separate the pretenders from the contenders see how they treat you.
And don't pay any money up front if you are not entirely happy.
Good luck
It won't take you long to separate the pretenders from the contenders see how they treat you.
And don't pay any money up front if you are not entirely happy.
Good luck
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I'm in the same boat as flyer 12...
Also looking for a good school in Melbourne for PPL and CPL.
The info in this thread is great, but I get the feeling there's a bit of an avoidance of naming names (apart from posts in another thread which seem to knock TVSA to vaying degrees). The Australian aviation community being a finite universe would explain this, I guess.
The reason I write this, is that I'm going in on the ground floor, and the best way to get conned is to know ****** all about the possible traps (or trappers - the best wolves dress well as sheep).
I'm not saying I'm a total dunce who will walk in blind, without doing a little research first.
But if anyone wants to name names, I'm all ears.
Specifically, I'm thinking at this stage of going with Moorabbin Flying Services. Any feedback on this potential choice?
Also, what about these diploma courses? Would having a piece of paper behind me look better to an employer, than if I did the hard yards, hour by hour?
I realise times are tough for aviation at the moment, and many would probably criticise my choice of trying to get in now, but I figure times have been tough before, and once it all blows over, people are still going to want to travel - hopefully just in time for me to have some hours up my sleeve! Wishful thinking, maybe, gotta be an optimist, though....
Also looking for a good school in Melbourne for PPL and CPL.
The info in this thread is great, but I get the feeling there's a bit of an avoidance of naming names (apart from posts in another thread which seem to knock TVSA to vaying degrees). The Australian aviation community being a finite universe would explain this, I guess.
The reason I write this, is that I'm going in on the ground floor, and the best way to get conned is to know ****** all about the possible traps (or trappers - the best wolves dress well as sheep).
I'm not saying I'm a total dunce who will walk in blind, without doing a little research first.
But if anyone wants to name names, I'm all ears.
Specifically, I'm thinking at this stage of going with Moorabbin Flying Services. Any feedback on this potential choice?
Also, what about these diploma courses? Would having a piece of paper behind me look better to an employer, than if I did the hard yards, hour by hour?
I realise times are tough for aviation at the moment, and many would probably criticise my choice of trying to get in now, but I figure times have been tough before, and once it all blows over, people are still going to want to travel - hopefully just in time for me to have some hours up my sleeve! Wishful thinking, maybe, gotta be an optimist, though....
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Louie the Fly
I’m not into name schools. But I would not believe everything you read or here about places like TVSA. I'm sure there are plenty of schools around Melbourne that have been given bad publicity at one stage or another.
Learning to fly is really a personal thing. You need to look carefully with regards to who you intend to fly with. I could recommend plenty of schools in the Melbourne area but your personality may not suit the people or organisation I recommend
My advise still stands "Get hold of the Melbourne Yellow pages visit as many schools as possible and DON'T PAY IN ADVANCE..... Pay as you go.........
The only other advise is if they promise you a job ask them to put in writing stating how much per week they will pay you.
The typical answer to that is "That just cost you the job I had planned for you"
Best of Luck and happy and safe flying
Wagit.
I’m not into name schools. But I would not believe everything you read or here about places like TVSA. I'm sure there are plenty of schools around Melbourne that have been given bad publicity at one stage or another.
Learning to fly is really a personal thing. You need to look carefully with regards to who you intend to fly with. I could recommend plenty of schools in the Melbourne area but your personality may not suit the people or organisation I recommend
My advise still stands "Get hold of the Melbourne Yellow pages visit as many schools as possible and DON'T PAY IN ADVANCE..... Pay as you go.........
The only other advise is if they promise you a job ask them to put in writing stating how much per week they will pay you.
The typical answer to that is "That just cost you the job I had planned for you"
Best of Luck and happy and safe flying
Wagit.
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Thanks for the advice Wagit.
I wasn't knocking TVSA myself, just going on a few of the posts I read. TVSA seem pretty professional, and I apologise if I've stepped on anyone's toes...
In the end, though, I went out to Moorabbin, and dropped by a number of schools.
As most people have been saying, that seems to be the best way.
I've picked one out, and it came down to meeting the people involved, and feeling the "vibe" of the place, as much as the facilities.
I'm happy with my choice, but it was a difficult one, and almost came to a flip of the coin, as there seem to be some great people and great schools out there.
Once I'd settled on a choice of school, I searched for any references to it in the forums, and they were overwhelmingly positive.
So I know where I'll be going now.
First step complete.
I wasn't knocking TVSA myself, just going on a few of the posts I read. TVSA seem pretty professional, and I apologise if I've stepped on anyone's toes...
In the end, though, I went out to Moorabbin, and dropped by a number of schools.
As most people have been saying, that seems to be the best way.
I've picked one out, and it came down to meeting the people involved, and feeling the "vibe" of the place, as much as the facilities.
I'm happy with my choice, but it was a difficult one, and almost came to a flip of the coin, as there seem to be some great people and great schools out there.
Once I'd settled on a choice of school, I searched for any references to it in the forums, and they were overwhelmingly positive.
So I know where I'll be going now.
First step complete.
