Flight Training in Brisbane
 

Hi There,

I am a newbie, and was just wondering if someone could recommend a flight school in Brisbane - specifically at Archerfield (as i live closer to Archerfield). Does anyone know, or have any experience with, schools like AV8, Gil Layts or the Royal QLD Aero Club? (or any others at Archerfield?)

Thanks - any responses would be greatly appreciated.

mailman73

Well...i went to Flight Training Australia at YBAF some years ago, albeit whilst Humph M was at the helm (RIP), but theres still some very good blokes there from when i went...did most of my CPL with Andrew Nasca...great guy, well recommended.

You could try Sunland @ YBAF, Mr B Westin is very good and knows his stuff, they have Cirrus SR20 & SR22 on line and a C172 also.

@ YRED Redcliffe Aero club are also very good, very busy school, with some fairly new C172's.

Enjoy flying over SEQ ! It has some of the best views in Oz :ok:

Thanks for the response guys.

In addition to the ones you've listed, does anyone know anything about AV8 or RQAC?

Probably a bit less $$$ to go to Redcliffe Aero Club or Aero Dynamic Flight Academy at Caboolture than at YBAF.

Nicer scenery too! (and now I think about it I think ADFA at YCAB have one nice bit of scenery doing some instructing;) but I can not gaurantee it!)

J:ok:

SUNLAND at YBAF is the place to go if you want experienced instructors like B.Westin and a friendly environment.

Jabawocky has the right idea. Is Gill Layt still at Archerfield? Met a lot of guys that went there and they all had one thing in common - they flew extreemly well.

Depends where you live really. If you are in Brisbane then the fuel costs travelling to YRED will chew up the, (if any), savings available. Plus on a rainy looking day, it's a long way to go to be told your flights been cancelled.

I know students (past and current) at all of the majors out at Archerfield.

FTA was pretty good, but its been a while since I have been in there. I hear they are flat out these days with all of their international students though. Good fleet.

RQAC is stable and do a good job with training for PPL and CPL. Busy.
Airline academy of Australia is one of the best if your looking for full time training from close to zero experience. They offer great facilities and a good staff makeup.

I have heard good things about Gil Layts. No messing about there from what I gather. Not sure if he is still out there though?

Don't know anything about AV8, but do know Mr. Westin from Sunland. He is a top bloke and I can only imagine Sunland are a decent outfit.

Hope that helps.

mins :cool:

flying at Archerfield
 

I visit YBAF on a regular basis and from what I have seen the Airline Academy seems to be doing a lot of flying with lots of students at their facility. They had very good press recently in an Asian Aviation edition and from their website seem to be the only Qantas approved school in Queensland.

Mins is right the Academy has great facilities and a good fleet of 172R. FTA also seems to be doing a reasonable amount of flying as is RQ. In the circuit it seems to be a mix of AAA/FTA and RQ aircraft all the time.

At the end of the day you need to go look for yourself and ask questions.

oz

dead right oz

The best way to figure out which school is for you is to go out in person and do a quick meet and greet / tour. Helps you get a feel for the place and makes your decision a little easier than solely relying on websites and word of mouth.

good luck with it

:cool:

don't be fooled by people saying airlines prefer our product or all our previous students are in ailines ect. Go to a place that will save you money and will teach you how to fly.

Avoid sausage factories.

I spoke to Sunland today - the conversation i had with a guy named Dane was very promising - he was a friendly and knowledgeable guy, who himself knows or at least acknowledges the importance of having friendly staff, and staff that makes the student (no matter what the background or circumstance) feel valuable and important. I think this is what should differentiate the schools (other than usual of experience, and safety).

Anyone elses thoughts?

Awww, i'm feeling warm an fuzzy already!!! Now...gimme your $$$$:E

Gil Layts
 

I have heard through the grapevine that Gil Layts may be closing it's doors at the end of the year when it's lease is terminated with AAC.

As all the others have said above, you are best to drop in to the flying schools and have a chat/look around. With AAA it is best to give them a call and ask to speak to the marketing manager, Rhonda, to arrange a time to come in for a meeting with her to go over all the aspects of the course and have a tour of the facilities.

Opso

Gil Layts
 

Gil has just done a deal with the owner of archerfield.

He now rents the flying school building and is as busy as ever. Gil runs the operation with an iron fist ie. no funny business and his wife sue does the books, its a great combination.
Two very experienced Grade one instructors.
From what we hear the FTA and other big schools at AF are like sausage machines...I guess they have to be to keep the over seas students governments happy because they are the ones paying the o/seas students bills.

Yeh, they been around a loooooong time - that tells you something.

Westin.
 

Career flying instructors are like hens teeth. Mr Brian Westin at Sunland is an absolute gentleman. You will not find a more committed and likeable bloke on the field. Money well spent with this fella! :ok:

Well there you go! That would explain how I got to be so good! :ok:

GG :cool:

An extremely ignorant and incorrect comment.