Flying Schools
 

Hi, I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any great flying schools in the Brisbane are?

Re: Flying Schools
 

Hi Ogs,

I live on the gold coast but have spoken to a few people about flying schools in brisbane. It seems FTA (Flight Training Australia) seem to be very good. My previous instructor went through Arena and said he wouldn't recommend them. Same goes with sunland aviation. The flying school I am currently at, Air Gold Coast, at Coolangatta is excellent, if you were considering the gold coast as well.

Cheers

James

Re: Flying Schools
 

Thanks James, why is Arena no good, i have been to see them and they are close to me as they operate from redcliffe aswell. I would consider the coast but it would be expensive to live at the same time.

Re: Flying Schools
 

Hi Ogs,

He did his CPL in 2000 and said their aircraft fleet were old compared to other flying schools. He didn't go into great detail but just stated that there were better flying schools in Brisbane. From what I have heard, FTA is a good school and has produced many pilots now working for the airlines.

James

Re: Flying Schools
 

Ogs
If you're in the Redcliffe area you shold also check out Redcliffe Aero Club.

Re: Flying Schools
 

Yeah they have a brand new C172 SP, look like a good school.

Re: Flying Schools
 

At my first job three out of the four went to sunland and another came from interstate. Went through sunland 01ish was alright then no wanky uniforms and no pimply instructors. Have not been to other schools so cant comment about them. Smaller school i only had 2 instructors in 18 months. But smaller fleet and planes sometimes got booked out. Half a dozen times in 18 months or so.

Worth a look anyway. Ask all the flying schools what employment prospects are like, if they tell you that you will be flying long haul in jets in 18 months time steer clear. The pilot shortage is about to hit next year though so you might be lucky to have got in at this time

Re: Flying Schools
 

Whilst looking at Archerfield, stop in at Airline Academy of Australia. It is a subsidiary of the Royal Qld Aero Club, which is run as a separate entity. There has been a dramatic increase in crew and new aircraft at RQ. There is some extremely good new talent (ex everything from reputable global airlines)in the ground and flight instruction, and they are teaching alot of airline cadets already. So if you are looking to go airline, this would be my pick. They also seem to get alot of 'refugees' from other schools on the aerodrome.............worth a look

Re: Flying Schools
 

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts!

Re: Flying Schools
 

You just can't go past the Redcliffe Aero Club they are at www.redcliffeaeroclub.com.au :ok:

Re: Flying Schools
 

That opinion from tstanton would be totally unbiased

Re: Flying Schools
 

I had a look at the Redcliffe Aero Club yesterday and they seem pretty good and they competitive price wise aswell.

Re: Flying Schools
 

If you really want to learn some REAL skills that will realisticly prepare you for your first job, i recomend Mal beard Aviation (operates under hemples AOC now i think) at archerfield. Mal has been in the industry for a long time, and his background includes Ag and Aerobatics.
www.aeros.com.au
Generally, ive found the sausage factory's give you the impression that the first job will come easily, but this is not the case. Remember - new junior instructors generally don't know as many people in the industry than the old guys - plus you learn 10 times as much per flight lesson with the veterans.

Re: Flying Schools
 

Flight Training Australia seems a nice place, and there are some tough instructors there that will get you doing things the right way. The Royal Queensland Aero Club is also quite good, but when you become a member of the RQAC you get cheaper aircraft higher, and landing fees are paid at Archerfield, although FTA has cheaper aircraft hire anyway,sooo.

Re: Flying Schools
 

Also keep in mind flying from Archerfield will cost you LANDING FEES every time your wheels touch the ground. How many time will you do that during all your training (add that up....when you look at the fees too)

Re: Flying Schools
 

The best flying school in SE Queensland is just outside of the Brisbane area. I spent 8 years flying, (both learning, and after completing my commercial) in and around the Brisbane area. The Darling Downs Aero Club based in Toowoomba is the best school that turns out some of the best most capable commercial pilots in Australia. I know for a fact, that they have contacts in Kunnunnurra who call every few months to see if any more of their students have completed their commercials. They are the only school that I have ever seen that does not quote on the bare minimums. They quote realistic costs, and have the advantage of no landing fees up to GFPT, minimal traffic, excellent aircraft and facilities, and the most modern instructing techniques used today. I have trained at Archerfield, and I have trained in Toowoomba, and I wish I had have gone there earlier. Yes, it is a bit of a drive, but if you make a weekend of it, I gaurentee that you will recieve the highest standard of training found in Queensland, and dare I say it, Australia. And I've worked from one side to the other.

Re: Flying Schools
 

If you live on the northside, use the Redcliffe Aero Club. If you live on the south side you may want to try FTA or RQAC. All three schools are well known in the industry and employ good instructors. Stay clear of places like Arena who operate like a sausage factory and treat staff and students like rubbish.

Re: Flying Schools
 

I'll 2nd that

Air School Bagging
 

I would just like that say to those that are interested in a aviation career that you should make up your own opinion about any fly school that is near you, including arena aviation. Everyone has their own opinion.... and for those that have bad things to say about that particular school need to rethink about what is being said and whether what you are saying is true...
All schools cater for different peoples needs and expectations, if they don't suit yours or they cost too much then sure go to another school and get a price from there but don't bag the previous school out because they don't have what you want or how you want it, you probably didn't ask the right questions in the first place.
I'm not sticking up for Arena and saying that everyone should fly there, even I'm with a different school, but please don't put it down cause it may not suit your needs but it may suit someone elses.

Well said Katatonic84,
I also am from a different school, and as much as I have my reasons for not liking a particular company, I still respect the fact that everyone has individual needs that 1 company can cater to and the other 1 can't.
Competition is a healthy thing IMHO.
Anyway, blue is not my favourite colour:ok: