Kununurra - Feb 07
 

Hey Guys,
I'm headed to Kununurra (from Melbourne) in early Feb next year in search for that elusive first GA job. :confused:
I mention this only to see if anyone else is planning the same thing, perhaps we could car pool. (PM me)

Id go to Broome over Kunnas anyday :)

Quite a few people are saying the same thing, mind telling me why you prefer Broome?

One piece of advice - take your own car, it'll make life a lot easier especially if you score a flying job.

NK.

I'm planning on heading up that way next year. Probably with a few other guys in seperate cars.

I've currently got a casual weekend flying job so i want to hang onto that for as long as possible into next year. What would be the absolute latest to get up there for the start of the dry and not miss the boat?

Zendj, Broome over Kunnas:

- Broome has a beach which equals women in bikinis
- In my opinion the operators aren't as dodgy, and
- There is always a great bunch of people in Broome!

kair1234

one-sided rubbish.

1) Beach, granted. Chicks still come to and work in Kunners
2) say what?
3) Knx has one of the best social crowds around, and less stuck up than Broome!

...disco

Disco you forgot full time award employment in KNX not just casual wages for broome av or leos

To newbies I would drive through both. You would be lucky to snag at a job at either.

Less dodgy hahahhahahhahahaha

Keep your own standards


Stay clear of ol ankle grabs

Thanks for the information so far guys,
A few more things to add:
- Do you think it would be compulsory to get some time in a C210 or C206 before headed up? (to Broome or Kununurra)
- Where in Broome is the best place to live, and how much is rent likely to be?
- If you had a choice, would you RPT it to Broome (and buy a motorbike or ****ebox car once there) - or drive up?
- Is it worthwhile contacting operators either via email or phone before the move up, to 'make them aware' of your intentions and to get your name out there? :ok:

- It would make you more employable
- Housing is very expensive all over Broome
- Yes to rpting as fuel is expensive, not to sure on availability of ****eboxes though
- YES

shmoo thanks champ, knew youd back me up on that 1...much love for knx!

Driving up there allows you to see the stops on the way, and transport you then have once you get there. Assuming you have stopped at multiple places, you may need to drive back to one of them for a job.

ALSO ****eboxes in the Kimberley have disgustingly overinflated prices due to supply/demand and what our indigenous friends are prepared to pay for the said ****eboxes. Use this to your advantage and sell your car (purchased on the east coast for a reasonable $) when you're done with the Kimberley instead! :ok: :ok: :ok: I know I did!

...disco

Does anyone know of an operator in Melbourne where I can do an endorsement for a C210?

Why not fly to Darwhine , hundreds of ****eboxes for sale and drive to Kunnerwuckinnurra?
Maaaaan I fergot yu might not be able to cross the Vic anyways in Feb.

Try some Skydive driving at Tooradin. Was hanging there a few weeks back and they were frantically searching for a pilot for the weekend; believe it or not they apparently have trouble getting bums in the pilots seat, yet everyone says there is no free hours around. (un-paid of course) You'd have to pay for your 10 hours or whatever they require down there.

Must really struggle for drivers, they were desperately after someone to fly their Tiger Moth on the weekends about a month or so ago, so if you know how to fly a bumdragger maybe give em a call. This was paid work too.

Edited coz me speling are bad.

I don't know about desperate, however they did get a new Tiger driver fairly easily. The Skydiving is completely different and run by the Commando's.

I don't know about desperate, however they did get a new Tiger driver fairly easily so there's no job there I'm afraid. Skydiving is completely different and run by the Commando's.

No such thing as a C210 ENDORSEMENT.....

If you hold a licence that says you can fly any S/E A/C below 5700kg with CSU and R/U then you "legally" dont need anyone to sit in the RHS with you. Best advised you do spend some time with a person that has flown a C210 as it can be a tad on the slippery side :}

Enjoy

Cheers for the info Squawk, i went for that one, but got another gig and from talking to them was under the impression they were really struggling.

It appears there will be boat loads of people heading to kunners and broome next year. I already know of about 20 people who are keen to get up there, so should be interesting.

Can't wait to hit the tinnies up there with everyone.... oh and maybe get in a bit of flying:ok:

Carro

Yeah, :bored:, say no more. Why oh why do all pilots aspire to head to Kununurra?? Sure there's a few jobs that get given out there, but what's wrong with places like Kakadu, Coober Pedy, Ayers Rock, and countless other places where your competition is very much reduced and a better chance at getting a job exists?? Wouldn't live in half those places without jobs first, but certainly nothing wrong with trying there just as much as Kununurra. That place isn't the be all and end all. 1/2 the people who I know who have lived there, have pissed off to find their first jobs elsewhere because they get sick of working everywhere but the airport.

If you want somewhere to live where you can work in the local servo or pub or Maccy D's, try Broome or Darwin, or somewhere similar. Because let's face it, unless you're loaded or fluke a job straight up, you're gonna be pumping petrol, pouring beers, or flipping burgers until you do, :}.

I've done the bottom end of GA before, and certainly didn't find my first job in Kununurra. In fact I drove through the place only because it was on the highway between Perth and Darwin, :ok:.

Just a tip, not taking shots, but just trying to inform you of all options and idea's.

Cheers

morno

I think Carro is well aware that only a fool would put all their eggs in the Kununurra basket.

Bring me my new baron! Im done with my one now. :p

...disco

Keep it coming guys, all good information - great to hear lots of different views. :ok:
Throwing a few more questions out there...
*Whether it be Kunnunurra, Broome, (or anywhere else) do you recommend ringing or emailing operators with your intentions (of moving up their way in the new year and looking for work) - or just wait until in town and 'cold' visit them.
*Im trying to find a C210 or C206 in Melb that I can get some hours on before I head up - If anyone knows of any available for hire, PM me :O

Zendj

Just a couple of things i noticed from both sides of the situation (jobseeker/employer)

1st: Post/Fax/Email operators (in that order of preference) your brief (youd be surprised how long some ones are that people send) resume with a covering letter. Avoid generic letters (like ones with To Whom It May Concern) and make sure its written to the right person!

eg: once saw a letter (arrived at alligator, knx) addressed to Broome Air Services, with the objective to "gain employment with Broome Aviation" :D

2nd: Call up each operator after they should have received your correspondences, make sure theyve received it and explain your intentions

3rd: Go see them when you're in town

Just observations from seeing basically what goes on, I'm far from someone who makes decisions on hiring pilots, so perhaps someone in such a position can correct/confirm my inferences.

:ok: disco

Edit:

P.S before 1st step, research company and find out name of C/P

what? Kalumbaru has a beach with women in bikinis, ay disco

what about temptation island at Oombie

We're gonna send you the crap one, :}

morno

Hey Disco, you should ask the shmooman about somebody who once did something very similar.... :oh: :oh:

But he got in anyway.... :D :D :D

Hey disco

That same letter was posted to Leo's in broome aswell hahaha but I think i heard he still managed to get a job in broome

Don’t be too put off by people saying that Knx will be flooded with UGALs. I saw four hiring seasons come and go during my time there. There are exceptions, but generally if you are of good character and can pass a check flight, you WILL get a job. Most people blow their chances either down at the Tav or when they first front up at the reception.

So many people have shot themselves in the foot simply by carrying on like a tool when on the turps. It is a small town so little goes unnoticed. If the blokes with jobs decide they don’t want to work with you because you are carrying on about how good you are, or how crap you think Kunners is, expect your CV to go straight to the circular filing cabinet. Most chief pilots will go through a list of names and/or CVs with some of the senior pilots and if they think you are a goose, you won’t get a job.

Another easy one is turning up in reasonable clothes and being a bit cheerful. Expect your CV to go straight to the bin if you turn up in shorts and sandals. You’d be surprised how many people fall short on that point (suits and flying uniforms are other bad looks). Long pants and open neck (ironed) shirt is generally your best bet.

Finally, the reception staff are your potential work colleagues. If you are rude to them, another cross against your name, and the chief pilot will be “out flying” even if they are 5 meters away sitting in their office.

Most of all, have fun, get involved with as many community events as you can, meet people and take lots of photos! You will have a ball…. :ok:

Finally someone else is breaking aeroplanes! :ok: You messed up my system though! :hmm:

Dry_Twotter absolutely correct, awesome nightlife too :}

drshmoo we should ask Transition Layer about that one ;)

Dave Incognito yep agreed there for sure.

...disco

Sounds like the guys working in Kununurra and Broome (or elsewhere) are having a ball! - I am looking forward to getting up there.
Another two questions....
The flight check that the CFI / CP takes you on before offering you a job - what sort of things should I 'brush up' on before I get to that stage? - Is it basically the same as a CPL flight test? Will they make me pay for the check flight?
I do realise that the pay received is going to be considerably less than a normal non-flying 'desk job' but how much are we talking (per week) - Enough for rent and booze........and maybe food? :E

I went up to Broom Broom & KNX earlier this year. Broome Aviation like 20 hours on C210 but 200 series time means nothing in KNX. Pretty much all the boys n girls that got jobs in KNX had never seen a C206 or C210 before so don't blow all your money. As for the check flight, Alligator gave 2 check fights to some candidates. 1st one is general handling + prec search and landing on a dirt strip with potholes (you probably won't actually land on this dirt strip if it's been raining in last few days) -takes around 1/2 hour and then if they like you they may ask you to come back another day just for circuits. Checkflight is usually in C207 or Airvan. They haven't so far asked people to pay for the check flight! Also suggest you take a tent to KNX. Accommodation is very expensive. Kununurra Hotel has cheapest bed $75 per night or try the backpackers or just put an ad up at Coles to rent a room in someones house. -Good Luck! :)

Accomodation in Kununurra can be sort out by asking neil on vegemite strip or in front of coles. He will sort you out.



Yes OpsNormal, I got a job at AA after sending resumes by mail off to both sling and AA. Standard cut and paste job for both. I changed the company names and adress at the top but forgot to change the CP name. So ol PW got adressed as PMc.:ugh: :ugh:

Still got a job at AA and had an awesome 2 years in and out of aeroplanes.
Good memory Ops. Send Disco a C207 - I think RAS is still on the market. The bugger is lucky to be standing next to a baron let alone flying one:}
Just kidding:ok:

Hehehehehe. Hey shmoo I wasn't gonna let the cat out of the bag but hey....!!:oh:

At least we can all look back and have a laugh without twitching nervously and changing the subject.;)

The loads are too big, even for a 207 (big call I know). I'll have to source a 900T for him instead, whadderya reckon?:} :} :}

How's that cold clime down there (Ops likes his ice in his bundy only.....)? Still at the same mob you were when we last conversed?

OpsN.;)

As fond as I am of hours in the slug, it'd be a long couple of days if I had to do it in ol' RAS-dog! :{ :p

Its a beautiful sunny warm day in the gutter, lovely conditions to nurse a hangover :yuk:

...disco :cool:

Kair 1234,

What are you on? You say Broome is better than Kununurra due to several reasons. Yes it has a beach, but that is all it has (other than sandflies / midgies / mosquitos). Kunnunurra has a great surrounding - interesting landscapes, the lake, and the flying is much more varies than what you would get in Broome.

BTW, your profile says you are from Newman! If Broome is so good then why on earth would you have moved to Newman and then even admit that you are from there via your profile?????:confused: :confused:

Kair1234, he prob started at broome and now flys twins for polar or something like it.:ugh:

Broome is good for singles but you will need to head elsewhere for the twins, most do at kunnas too.

No disrespect guys but 200 laps round the bungles doesnt sound like variety to me...

from someone who did it last year and also sat in the office accepting resumes over the hiring season this year, get to eith knx or broome as early as possible. the longer you are there, the more the guys get to know you. Completely agree with disco, send resume by email, fax, mail, then call to back it up. The mistake that most people make is that they call from melbourne or sydney looking for a job but arent willing to get up here. You may as well give up b4 you start because a CP will only talk to you if you are sitting in the office in front of him/her. YOou have to be willing to sit in one place and wait (be seen everywhere by those who matter) As for flying in knx, you are salaried, all the benefits to go with it and the social life is fantastic.
Hope you are enjoying the gutta disco, knx isn't the same without you.
(hope to come thru and see you on the way home for the wet, will catch up for a drink or 4):ok: