aahhh Archerfield past it's prime, you are not wrong. Sadly, I give it maybe another 6 years and it will be gone.
Choice of RED or RQAC though, probably RQAC. AT RED you will be waiting a heck of a long time in between bookings.

Hey guys,
1st post here so please be indulgent :-)
Just a quick comment further to what I've read above:
I'm training for 3 months at AV8 for GFPT, then PPL and CPL and so far, I have to confess that I am really satisfied with the training, availability of instructors/planes, etc.
I'm totally new in aviation and recently moved to Brisbane so I didn't even knew the previous name of the company (arena isn't it?) nor what is associated with that name... all I can say is that everything is going good so far.
I must also confess that GB is really a sack of ****; he is the kind of guy that never answer to a single "good day man"... anyway, I'm not even sure that he's still doing something in the school in terms of teaching I mean... I've never speak to him so far...
So, as far as I'm concerned, AV8 is a good flying school; I'll let you know if something makes me change my mind!
Cheers,
Adiacyrus

Adiacyrus

mate, can you tell me how much its costing you?

Pharoah,
For the GFPT, it will be around 8,000 - 8,500 bucks + text book (BAK from ATC or Bob Tait) and that's pretty much it (+ obviously CASA fees, medical, headset, shirt, etc.)
I currently pay as I go but I could have benefited from about $800 off with full up front payment... but independently from the school, its past history or whaterver, my personal choice is always to pay things as I go, including here to manage risks of any kind.
Don't hesitate to ask if you want my feedback on any particular point; obviously, I can't make any comparision as it's the first and only flying school I know.
Adiacyrus

Been in and out with FTA myself and i have to agree with the others that i would personally go else where. AAA and RQAC have reasonable reputations gained from those whom i know have gone there so i'd recommend having a chat with them as at least their quote is going to be a lot closer to what you actually spend!

If my memory serves me well, FTA is a different entity from AV8 ... so I can only express an opinion on AV8 -different instructors, etc.-

Even if I can't make any comparision with another school, the instructors seem to do a great job and I can fairly say that I learn a lot out of them.

Before enrolling, I paid a visit to RQAC and AAA... I chose AV8 exclusively for their lower fees, other things being equal as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway; the most important is for each student pilot to be satisfied with what he pays for ;-)

For the avoidance of doubt -as it seems that I'm the only fella to say that AV8 is not the crap you guys describe- I've no personal interest in AV8 nor know personnaly any guys that work there -and I'm not even Australian, so-... I'm here for their rates and I can say that I am entirely satisfied with the quality of the course... so why pay more?

Cheers,

Adiacyrus