Not sure if this constitutes advertising but i am looking at organizing a share house in Broome. At this stage there will be two rooms available not sure on rent but will be low $200's + bills looking at moving into the place hopefully over the next month. PM me for details
Cheers

Its nice to read up on everyone attempting their journey up this way for "The Dry" and that elusive first job!

Almost a year ago.. i headed up this way with not much idea and a bare bones commercial. Its been an amazing time and a 'flexible' plan!! Now im about to kick off a second season with still not much idea, but loving the friends, flying and frolicking! ;)

Good luck to all job hunters, just remember to enjoy the whole experience!! Including working crappy second jobs, having no money and living at a backpackers!! :D

Information regarding the Top End
 

Do yourself a favor and don't flat with pilots.

"flatting" certainly implies you're kiwi...

Do share a house with other pilots.

Why?

Networking. When your housemates are flying and you're still looking, they're going to be the best source of information for who's looking for new staff even before the operators know. Pilots mention to each other when they're about to resign and move on, and that information can lead to you walking in the door with a resume ten minutes after the CP finds out they need a new pilot.
Also, your housemates are likely to recommend you to their own CPs.

Information regarding the Top End
 

Yea that's fair enough. I was just replying to DAN who is trying to get a statehouse started with pilots new to Broome.

Imagine 3 blokes/gals who are living together and going for the same job.

Getting a share house with already working pilots is a good ideas

Also what's wrong with being kiwi :(

Agree with Lasiorhinus above.

Guys/girls, if you don't know it already, then take note - like no other industry I've seen, for good or bad, you'll get a reputation. This need not be a negative, but it'll happen.

What reputation you carry with others, whether on the job or at a bar, will largely determine your career path through the "lower" levels of the industry. Networking, and getting/maintaining a good name for yourself over and above being a technically proficient pilot, are very important.

Lost count of how many times I've heard a senior pilot at Company X say "that f---wit's never getting within a kilometre of this place.", even though said f---wit may be more than qualified, with a glowing CV. Love it or hate it, it's the way it works.

the top end
 

Any of you guys that are looking to go north got P68 experience?
Heard of rumor today of a possible opening for a low time CPL P68 driver. Prefer experience on type.

Sent you a PM mate.

Does anyone know of any ground handling job in Darwin?

AV8 sometimes take low hr guys on ground handling jobs while giving them ICUS on the 210/206 to get them up to scratch.

Aero-Care sometimes recruit for ground handlers/bag chuckers. Vincent may also have something and if you're really desperate (or mad) you could try Pearl. Good luck.

Dont like my chances at AV8, apparently their low hour pilots/bag throwers come from a flying school in Melbourne they are partnered with. (wish I did my training there). Will hit them up anyway.

Whats the deal with Peal? Dont think I have heard a positive thing about them?

None of AV8's bag chuckers come from MFT. Sure your not getting mixed up with the flying instructors?

Bad things about Pearl?

Well if their new EBA gets through they will be the best paid, lowest workload turboprop drivers in Australia.

95k 1st year Metro Captain.

18k area allowance.

50k training allowance.


That's some serious coin to drive a Metro a couple of days a week to truscott.

It's not a bad place to be.

Not sure, but I spoke to somebody at AV8 a couple of weeks ago. He just said Id struggle to get any work there flying or other as they have most of it covered from MFT.

Maybe I miss heard?

Haha I cant even imagine a pay like that while I am stuck on 150 hours GG

If you're not in Darwin, you won't get any sort of work at AV8 (or anywhere else) regardless of whether you're looking for bag chucking or instructing or anything in between.

If you haven't heard any positives about Pearl then there is probably a good reason for that. Think about it.....

Might be some good coin for those already there but if things don't pick up soon, then the coin won't be there for much longer for anyone. Look elsewhere if you want hours, coin or anything else. Good luck.

Yeah I have taken everyone's advise on board and moved my gf and dog to Darwin in January. Back in Perth for a few weeks as my old boss made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

Ill be back on Friday so I will be able to go down personally. I might even get to speak to someone other than a receptionist this time haha

If you have a MECIR that is not current is it best to get current before heading north looking for your first job?
From what I've read it could take a few months to land a job and the job would be single VFR while learning and building up experience so it wouldn't take too long before you are out of currency again.
Maybe best to save the money for the renewal.
Cheers

What do you mean? Has it expired? If so has it expired by more than 12 months? Or is it valid but you don't meet the recent experience requirements of the CAO?

If it is either of the first two, I'd say yes. If it is the second, hell no.