MECIR, where to do it?
 

Hey guys,

I have recently completed my CPL(A) at AFTC in Adelaide and I am now looking for a flight school where I could do my MECIR, preferably in a BE55/58.

After a quick search on the forum I've found these schools:

Bob Harris in Cairns
BINI Flight Training in Melbourne

Is Johnston Aviation in Port Macquarie still in business? I've read a few articles saying that it went down but the website is still active.

and thought I'd ask as well about how good the training is at Air South in Adelaide

I'd be also looking on building some hrs on a C210, any recommendations?

Thanks for your help!

Steve Pearce at Bini's gets highly recommended on these forums time and time again, for good reason.

I also have to highly recommend Moorabbin Flying Services and their fleet of Piper Seminoles. They take MECIR very seriously aswell and are a great outfit.

Johnston Aviation is back up and running, and given that they provide accom for you it'd be a top spot to do a MECIR too. I think Johnston's do it in a Baron which would give you the BE55/58 time you're after.

X30N

From what I read Johnstons are back up and running check out there web address.
Flight School and Training for Multi Engine (MECIR) Endorsements, Instructor Ratings, CPL Commercial Pilot training and PPL Private Pilots Licences at Johnston Aviation Services Port Macquarie Airport

Down at Bankstown Whitworth Aviation use to be the a good option, dont know what they are like now. Also Proflite at Bankstown, have a chat with them and see what you think of them.

In Adelaide you have AirSouth, they may have some MECIR ICUS packages, which can help along the way.

If you did ur CPL with AFTC why not do ur MECIR with them?

Good luck with it :ok:

I hate to use the cliche "legend", but Steve Pearce at Bini's is a true legend in the best and most accurate use of that term. He is a rare thing - a born instructor specialising in CIR. An opportunity to train with him is something you should grab with both hands.
John

Innisfail actually!

Bob uses a Duchess for MECIR training - flys like a little Baron IMHO. Good initial twin and instrument platform. Goes well if you fly it right!

Highly experienced instructor with ATO approvals - and a good bloke to boot.

All the approaches within 30 min flying (YBCS), on-site accommodation and adjacent aeroclub bar - what else could you ask for.

I have no commercial interest in the business - but have done my last 10 or so renewals with Bob. :ok:

Dr :8

Bob Harris...no question about it.

Did my initial and some renewals with him.

VERY thorough. A good investment for your future career.

No easy ride, but at the other end, you''ll be assured (and confident), to get out there and use your rating.

As with the DR, I've no affiliation, just experience.

He's got good contacts in the industry too, which could be gold during this time.

Gets my vote.:ok:

Johnston in Port Macquarie! Definitely! They're back up and running and it's Jamie/Kev calling the shots. With them running the show again you won't get a better CIR/ME, definitely worth the drive from Adelaide (did it a few years ago now).

Not sure how many guys are going through, but it was great for contacts; got me my first two jobs - first one started three days after knocking off the CIR/ME.

Johnston Aviation for me too. Good to see they are back up and running.
I also got my first and current job from contacts made there. Well run school.

Another one for Jamie and Kev up at Port Mac, especially now that they're running the show again.
:ok:

You'll get it finished pretty much spot on with what you budget for, and you'll finish up with a good MECIR holding you in good stead for your next gig.

Plus it's a ripper coastal town for shenanigans on the piss on the weekend.

There was good advice posted before (can't remember by who) that, in your research for your MECIR school, ask whether the aircraft you'll be doing your training in, will not have it's scheduled maintenance due at about the same time your MECIR flight test is due. There's nothing worst than doing your test (or renewal) in an unfamiliar aircraft, especially when there are differences in the type of instruments they have.

For example, if most of your training was done in an aircraft with a fixed card ADF, and you then get an aircraft with an RMI, (or vice versa), or you trained in an aircraft with a standard VOR/ILS, and you then get one with an HSI, then this could put you off. Not only that, the operation of the radio stack may also be slightly different as well in different aircraft.

Although using an HSI and RMI is a lot easier to scan, you don't want to be learning how to use them during test time especially when a re-test for the MECIR initial can set you back another $2K!

Oh, and another tip. Ask for an experienced instructor for the MECIR training, preferably one who has many hours in real IMC conditions. You're paying big money for the training so you should get good value for it. I had a great instructor for my initial .. a career instructor with 15 years in the business. I always looked forward to his post flight briefs which sometimes went as long as an hour!

David Maddock at Gostner Aviation in Camden. He's an old school pilot with (literally) 20,000 hours flying RPT and charter. It's a small, friendly type flying school and you'll get his undivided personal attention.

He's competent, sharp, happy, relaxed, and comfotable hand flying long legs and approaches in solid IMC (plenty of instructors aren't), he doesn't correct you aggressively, he demonstrates by example and works through errors with you before giving you a second shot. He has infinate patience, and he's a hell of a nice bloke. I'd recommend him strongly for an initial or to help brush up for a renewal.

Just an updater in case X30N is planning to train at Moorabbin.

Steve of course is the guru but he's the only one there and solidly booked out for the next 3 months (I believe he's on leave after that). Bini trains on the Seminole and the syllabus is geared towards that. (Besides, cross-hiring from elsewhere may pose challenging scheduling problems.)

Moorabbin Flying Services is also very good - two very new Seminoles (a few years old compared to the usual 70s vintage) with glass option, and more aircraft in the pipeline. Besides, there are several instructors/ATOs who are available on duty - there's staffing flexibility for you. (Ask for Gary, the CFI.)

MECIR
 

Steve (at Binis)had a couple of real good Grade 1, Instructors working with him for many years, teaching methods adopted by them are the same,and the relationship between teacher and pupil skills was passed on by Steve and Peter Bini.
Try and find these guys:)

Mike Jones, Airpioneer Mackay, QLD.

'nough said :ok:

Well if you're considering going interstate then I thoroughly recommend Ad Astral Aviation in Perth.

I did mine with them. As someone here said - if you pass with Ad Astral, you know you damn well earned it.

About Ad Astral Aviation

sorry to hijack your thread a bit X30N, but i'll be in a similar position to you shortly, just wondering what are people's opinions/experience on where to do MECIR in SA? AFTC, BH or Air South come to mind.
otherwise some of these interstate ones seem quite good..

I did my renewal at MFS recently and have to say that their equipment is top class. I did it in TAY, a Seminole with the Avidyne glass cockpit which is probably the newest Seminole in Australia. It goes without saying that a glass cockpit with HSI, RMI and two Garmin GNS 430s gives you great cockpit resources to successfully complete your MECIR .. and not to mention the wind vector that appears on the PFD as well .. very helpful, especially on those windy days when you don't want to be guessing what the wind is doing. :)

I can only suggest that you DO NOT do your MECIR at Australian Wings Academy on the Gold Coast. $25,000+++ for a rating in a Duchess!

Dont take it from me tho, do a search of AWA and see what others have to say about it.

Bob Harris gets my vote. Jamie and Kevin aren't anywhere near him, only in $$$.