Gill Layts doesn't look as flash but i think the value for money is there. No i didn't train there. Sunland sounds okay to.

Find out the exact costings of all schools. Every penny. Find out if you are roped in to buy books rulers ect through the school or if you can source your own. Every cent counts.

Try and suss out what age group the instructors are that you will get. Ask who you will get.

Petrolwise might be worth looking into what it really costs to go to AF vs redcliffe. For example have you seen the traffic around AF? Might seem closer than it is...

At the end of the day remember when you go into these places you are being sold something so of course they will be nice to you. You must be objective. If they are rude of course don't waste your time.

Standards before other considerations
 

I'd recommend going to Redcliffe Aero Club (everyone I know who went there was very pleased with their training) or perhaps RQAC (though I have no experience with their operations or standards). I did all my training at FTA before it started going downhill, luckily. FTA trains to a very, very high standard, but unfortunately student care has gone south in a big way. Also have a look at Australian Wings Academy on the Gold Coast (nice new fleet, friendly staff and I hear their standards are nice and high) and/or Aero Dynamic Flight Academy at Maroochydore (also said to be excellent).

Above all, don't be tempted by the ads saying things like 'CPL in 10 weeks, guaranteed' etc. Not only are they total b*ll****, but you absolutely MUST be looking for a school based on standards first! Length of training and price run a distant second and even further distant third, respectively.

Also, be wary of places that require you to pay your fees up front. Arena Aviation did that, and they went bust, taking a lot of peoples' hard earned coin with them.

Hope that was some help. Make sure you visit each place in person to see what it's really like.

Yeah those guys on the Gold coast look pretty good as well. Flew some of their planes and they were pretty tidy.

What do I know? I only work for one of those so called 'sausage factories' you are referring to. Not a government dollar in sight and if you don't perform you are removed from the course.

thanks for the interest on the thread guys...

the next question is: where does cost come in? in other words when would it alter or help determine a decision? Is it a case of 'you get what you pay for?'...

kiss
 

Simple if its 10k more at a place that reckons it trains airline pilots then don't bother.

Unless you actually are a cadet with a contracy for employment after your training then what school you go to won't make a lick of difference to your employment prospects. So then the priorities come down to 1.quality of training 2. cost.

When you are a newbie you tend to have all theses ideas about how to get a leg up but at the end of the day the way to get a leg up is to pack your car up and go and meet operators. Update your one page resume, have a 'can do' attitude, be professional and present yourself professionally at all times. In 12 years i haven't had one job interview or met one operator that asked me where i trained..

I learnt to fly ages ago with the original Sunland with Gordon & Jean Jenkinson and crew, since then I have flown with RQAC, Redcliffe, ADFA and Hemples. I have also flown with the current (Maltby owned) Sunland and have only the highest opinions of Brian Westin and Peter Franks presently at Sunland. If you want to learn on state of the art modern aircraft with quality instructors, then you would not find better instructors anywhere. Just remember it is YOUR money and you need to be comfortable wherever you end up so ask plenty of questions including the instructors experience (you have a right to know) costs vary and depend on the type of aircraft you train on and level of experience of the instructional staff. Be careful of "packages, prepay schemes, airline academies (read sausage factory) and be careful of the frostings some schools promise when you finish your training . :rolleyes:

Out of curiosity, when did Brian Westin take charge at Sunland? Did the Malbys sell it to him? I haven't been around Archerfield in some years, but may be interested in going back there when fundage / time permits...

I did PPL a year ago at RQAC at YBAF and the people there were pretty good but just the fact that they have a marketing manager for an aero club made it seem like a more of a business straight away. I know she's mainly for AAA but if you're not full time then you're 'relegated' to the RQAC section. This is how I felt anyway - just a number. I then did CPL at Redcliffe Aero Club. As soon as I walked in I felt more comfortable with the club atmosphere while still impressed with the professionalism of the instructors. New 172s (for hour building and NVFR) and getting to do the last part of my CPL in a 182 sealed the deal for me (plus the cheaper costs even though I drove from the southside over the gateway 45mins everyday - it's not that bad!). If you choose RAC and you'd like to do it full time then I'd advise talking Tony (CFI) or a senior instructor for half an hour to tell them the time frame you want to do it in. They'll set up a plan of attack to help you.
Ultimately trust your gut because you have to feel comfortable with your school because you've got some exciting times ahead and the school that can assist you the most and makes you feel that you can ask whatever, whenever will allow you to develop the most efficiently.
My two cents. Good luck:ok:

There is no way Tony will want to spend half an hour with you unless you want to fly a twin and have a bag of cash. Also a number of pilots have left RAC due to their booking inefficiencies. I notice the ebrief system is user pays now. When I flew I could access it for free, now you have to pay to access vital training information. The only benefit is for the CEO whose bonus is now getting bigger due to the new revenue stream. Still seem to be some good instructors there but nothing like they were 2 years ago.

Yes, I seem to remember booking a BFR there not long back with a 3 month wait to achieve the combination of instructor and plane......:suspect:

ADFA YCAB all the way!
 

Exceptional staff, very personal, and happy to help with anything. If you are having trouble with something, everyone is more than happy to assist - both instructors and other students. Plenty of organised social events (after all a lot of things in aviation are not what you know but who you know), no landing fees at YCAB, great machines, access to C210 for hour building (very handy if you are planning to fly in the territory) and as Jaba mentioned, FANTASTIC scenery!! I can confirm that!

Best of luck mate!

AGS99:ok:

Well Lee sat down with me when I wanted to do it and Tony has sat down with several mates so yes, he does. The booking waiting list IS the problem hence sitting down with someone to fix it. There is an increasing number of canellations also so if you stay on top of it and are keen, you'll be the first they call.
Good luck

hey there,
I had a bit of my flight training done in Brisbane with Av8 and would much prefer to not deal with them again, although that was with instructors who no longer work there. If i choose again i would probably look closer at redcliff I've heard some good feedback about them.

Definitely seek out Redcliffe Aero Club. Well worth the extra $$ spent on fuel getting there. however remember to leave really early if you are going there from the southside of brisbane. Took me 2hrs 45 minutes one morning not long ago. F****** ridiculous. The CFI is a top bloke and very knowledgeable, and loves what he does and that shows through. I.e. he's not there to move on, he has a genuine passion for what he does

300

Archerfield?
 

Archerfield :yuk::yuk:

Long taxi and transit times to the training areas can significantly increase the cost of your flight training. Learning to fly out of Redcliffe or the like would be ideal. More training time per lesson and much cheaper also.

Type rating in Brisbane or Close?
 

Hey guys does anyone have an idea about type rating programs in brisbane or a close city....?