I still want to be a pilot. After 13 years of training and saving and training abit more and thowing in the towel a couple of times cause I just can't get there and now back to being so close to finally finishing something I started as a 14 year old kid.

Breath now.

If a Fees-Help type set up was available to me when I started I would have jumped at the chance. Strueth I was working at a bakery cleaning dishes at 5 in the morning just to fly once a month (the time it took me to save for a one hour lesson). And so I say that if some other young guy or girl is out there that can have a decent shot at getting into aviation then let it be.

What I would like to say though is I agree with the last couple of replies. There should be put into place a definitive route to the airlines and a seperate route to G/A so that people don't waste employers time and money getting and training people to then have them leave the second they have the required hours to make the next step. I have been around long enough to see that there a two completely different skill sets that are required to do these different sectors.

For the record I have no desire to head towards the airlines. my ultimate goal would be to head for the RFDS and now I am close to finishing step 1. Albeit ten years behind where I would like to have been but still having the passion and dream to eventually make it.

Kind regards and safe skies to all

I found out today that fees help will not be available unless you do a 4 year uni course. :ugh: Its fine to fund other "higher Education" just not pilots hey:ok:

Any word on what organisations are providing training as part of this? when courses start? all it says is on the VCAT site is that courses are expected to available during the second half of 08

I think its a good thing - it will stop every man and his dog going and getting a CPL and flooding the market. At least people doing a 4 year course are demonstrating a committment...

Please read the DEEWA web site I referenced earlier for the facts. It's not 4 year courses, it's ANY RTO provided Diploma or above course. This includes most if not all integrated CPL courses, but will depend on the school jumping through the right hoops to get the funding set up. If I owned a flying school at the moment I would be jumping through ever hoop they put in front of me for this little cash injection...

Bloody rumours. Even cold hard fact in the same post can't stop people from sprouting crap.

I am still to see any evidence or at least hear some talk around the airport.
All this thread is doing is well, nothing.I'm sure if it was to happen the government would be making it very clear!and so would the schools!believe me.
can't wait for the day we see every second add on telly advertising that any frog can fly and it's basically free!Pilot shmortage!it's fun!it's easy etc!:yuk::yuk:

During the Whitlam years you could get a Class 1 IR fully paid by Govt under a 'retraining scheme'. Had to have letter from prospective employer. In those days Class 1 was worth a few thousand.

Anyone heard the latest on the VET FEE-HELP scheme? Anyone know the schools at Bankstown that have applied for it?

Cheers