For comparison, I just looked up the full fee-paying rate to do an Advanced Diploma of IT with CQU - $21,924.00!!!

No only will a degree be an advantage in an interview for airlines/regionals or whatever, but its an excellent 'fall back' if your not in that minority who actually achieves that job flying.

Its also about being in the right place at the right time.

Rich-and-fine.. it goes without saying that success is difficult to come by, and hard work to reach a chosen profession is a given (for all but a few).

If I had my time again id look more into ATC.

The money is far better....
Youll work a regular roster.....
Be home each night.....
You'll be sitting in a nice warm tower rather than sitting in a 20year old a/c being shaken thru cb's in the middle of the night...
If your a tower controller youll prob. just work regular hours, if your at a center youll just earn even more $$$....
Your training will be over in a year with a job at the end of it.....
You wont be as susceptable to industry reccesions....

Now ill admit there are probably down sides but have a look at the ATC forum and see how many of them are complaining about lack of jobs, thier employer, thier pay etc.

I took the flying route and am happy I did but to be honest if I knew what REALLY was involved im not sure id have gone thru with it all that time ago.

If your determined to fly try and go at it without a loan, when have a 200hr CV in a pile of twelve a little work experience will go along way, particuarly if its in a Customer Service or Industry related job (ie check-in staff, airline op's, freight fowarding etc)

Having worked at BAE I know they charge a lot of money for their course. I believe the reason is partly that the majority of flying training that goes on there is for airline cadets and the course is structured as such. The accommodation is provided as well as meals etc and the syllabus is generally longer and may even be quite different to the standard :

1. effects of controls
2. straight and level
3. climbing etc

As the flying syllabus is longer it'll cost more. The standard of instructors is good, but as in all schools they won't all be good. I learnt at a flying school west of Sydney and thought that they were some of the best i've seen, still to this day.

The point I guess i'm trying to make is that these schools are geared toward what the airline wants a pilot to be taught during training. This would be OK if you were to go straight into an airline or if you're a cadet.

Sadly, this isn't the case and so your first job you get, as said in another post, will be with an operator who probably doesn't care where you did your training. Are you safe? have you got the ratings etc is all they'll care about.

I say go for it if you really want it. Most CPL holders give up in the first year because they can't find work. It's the ones who stick with it (however you can ) that make it in the end.

Good luck

Ryan TCAD:

EVERY successful Pilot I know did in fact wash planes and sweep hangars after their days work because they had pride - not because they were forced.

5% success rate?.

I guess you have the exact fugures huh?.

I don't know the percentage either - but those Pilots who DO put in an effort and WORK hard towards their goals have a higher than 5% success rate.

Those I know that put in the hard yards are ALL working full-time and getting paid the right $$. I guess that's a bit better than 5% huh?.

A person comtemplating a CPL does not have a gun to their head. They can choose anything worthwhile within their means both mentally and financially.

I stand by what I wrote before:

ANY profession requires hard work and dedication to succeed.

I remember many moons ago on day 1 of Comm theory at TAFE the dude running it said ...

"Out of the 16 of you, 2 will make it to a major Airline, 2 will make it to a Regional and 2 of you will be stuck in GA the rest of your life. The rest of you will never find that first job or after a year or two in GA, will give it away and do something else".

Pretty accurate stats, me thinks.

Well Boney with an instructor as "good" :rolleyes: as that....I'm suprised he expected any of you to find jobs at all!!!

I took the line that Flyby_Kiwi suggested. I realized that I was too old, too poor and too lazy to do the hard yards to make it as an ATPL. I've got my PPL, love to fly and by becoming an ATC now have the time and a bit of cash (I otherwise wouldn't have had) to fly recreationally. I want to ultimately get my low level and aero endorsements and have some fun. I also feared that if my passion was my job, then it may eventually just be my job.

Don't get me wrong, I admire those of you that grabbed it by the balls and ran with it, but I am happy with my lot.

By the way, if anyone is thinking that this could be for them, apply. AsA is desperate for controllers and they pay you to train (although not a hell of a lot).

R-S.