Qualifications (other than aviation) helpful for 1st job.
 

Hi everyone, I have a question as my 1st post:

What other skills and/or qualifications would an employer of a low hrs cpl find attractive?
Ive just started my training, and thought that I should use the time when not flying (or working) to gain extra skills that could help.
I already have a heavy rigid drivers licence, and driver authorisation for pax as well as customer service, cook etc etc. Are bush pilots expected to do other tasks when not flying?
Im assuming most 1st jobs will be somewhere out bush (which suits me fine!)
Thanks
Mick
(BTW, anyone here a member of NQ Aero Club?)

A skill that will definitely come in handy if you are flying out bush is if you have a basic understanding of mechanics. Basic things like, changing spark plugs, cleaning air filters, changing oil etc etc. Also do a schedule 8 course.

In case you don't know. Schedule 8 is the Maintenance that can be Carried out on a Class B aircraft.

The Sched. 8 will definitely come in handy if you are out bush and e.g you have rough running when doing the run up checks and it cannot be cleared by increasing the temps in the cylinders, operators will like it if you are able to take the cowls off and take the bottom set of spark plugs out that run off the magneto that you had the rough running as this saves money for the company in that they dont have to send an engineer out to do that job. (Yes it does happen, i've had to change spark plugs and cold pot the engine more than once in my time so far)

Thats all i can think of for now

300

Best qualification is a good attitude, and a willingness to learn! When you have your CPL and for the rest of your career you will never know EVERYTHING! If you think you know everything already you are in the wrong profession!

Just a good smile and plain common sense is worth gold! Know your limits!

where can i do a schedule 8 course? does TAFE offers a similar course?

Some tourist charter operators appreciate a heavy vehicle licence coupled with a "hire or reward" endorsement, so you can drive a bus. Many joyflight operators (Ayers Rock, Kimberley etc) pick up and return their pax by bus. It can take a couple of weeks to organise in a small town (entails another police check and the ASIC check doesn't count in lieu) so arriving with one could be mark in your favour.

A thick skin.

Hey, thanks for the replies,
I recon a forklift ticket would also be handy, so I'll get one of them and a schedule 8, keep the willingness to learn and good attitude, and work on the thick skin!
Cheers,
Mick.

Good luck Mick, Your embarking on a really cool adventure !

First aid ticket can be a tick in the box for you as well.

flight crew dangerous goods course is also a requirement for you, but don't do it till the end of your course as it runs out every 2 years.

Schedule 8 Course
 

"
where can i do a schedule 8 course? does TAFE offers a similar course?"

Capt787 you can do sched 8 course at your local engineering facility. Just go and speak to the chief engineer and explain that you are working towards your CPL or have you PPL whichever and say you want to learn more about the engine itself and you would like to be shown through your sched 8 stuff. More often than not they will be only to happy to oblige, provided you work hard with them and dont get in the way too much!

300

jump in the hangar and get as much hands on spanner time helping out with 100 hourlies etc.. might just save your bacon one day when you're stuck way out in the boondocks..

Keen attitude. Don't come across like a punk.

The ability to not bore the a*@e off everybody about your undisputed knowledge of flying would help, ie, don't rant on about how many rivets there are on a 747. No-one gives a fiddlers