Information regarding the Top End
 

Hey guys, any updates for the dry season up top this year?

Just completed my CPL and MECIR last week and plan on packing the car and heading north within the next couple of weeks....safe to say i'm both excited and extremely nervous about where I'm going to end up over the next few months, I also have a trade so hopefully I can find some form of income if things are slow:sad::sad:

Cooper Pedy as said above.

But worth carrying a 20 litre fuel can anyway for emergencies.

You'd lose the charter with that sort of research ;)

Pimba/Woomera (Spud's Roadhouse 08 8673 7473)
Glendambo (08 8672 1092)
Coober Pedy (08 8672 5830)
Cadney Park (08 7007 6591)
Marla (08 8670 7001)
Kulgera (08 8956 0973)
Erldunda (08 8956 0984)
Stuart Well (08 8956 0808)

http://goo.gl/maps/GcGs1

Suggest you plan 1000km's a day and skip the Tanami Highway and instead go via Katherine as the road is sealed, with more fuel stops and more charter operators to hand a resume ;) Roads are generally better once you get out of Victoria, and you should really only need to check they're not flooded before heading off.

Something like Melbourne, Port Augusta, Kulgera, Three Ways Roadhouse, (turn left at Katherine), Kununurra, Broome. http://goo.gl/maps/vXViX

Avoid sunrise/sunset, do not drive at night. Make sure your first reaction is to brake not steer to avoid if you see something on the road.

Good luck and pray you don't get a late wet dump in Feb !

Thanks! And so do I haha

Make sure you hit up everyone on the way through, don't get settled on having to reach Broome, there are a lot of operators on your route worth checking in with.

Hell, right out of training, anyone willing to give you a start is worth it.

Remember its hard, at times you will question why your doing this, but stick it out. Your time 'remote' will be some of the best flying memories you'll have

Good luck, have fun and enjoy yourself.

Wish you all the best Rookie! Have fun and enjoy.

Might bump into you whilst you're on the way up here.

Good Luck :ok:

T&G.

And watch out for flooding
 

I second the sentiment about the Tanami. Anyway it's closed. DO NOT try and challenge Ma nature with water courses, this time of year she will always win.
Check the weather pages, BoM site is doing well. There is a low remnant out in the Tanami at the moment and a monsoonal trough leading north-east from it dumping all over that part of the world. If it looks too wet, it IS. Stop!

Lots of luck. at least it's cool(ish) with the rain.

Information regarding the Top End
 

Hey guys,

Can anyone please tell me the charter company up in or near the top of WA somewhere that's run by some kiwis? Think they may have floats too but not sure.... Cheers

Information regarding the Top End
 

............

Hi Guys,

Im a Kiwi heading up north ideally in the next few weeks (410TT, IR, Instructor, Tail exp etc)
how late is too late? is there still slim chances heading up north and making myself known might pay off? or does hiring come to a dead halt...

at the moment I'd be happy with anything, already tried vast majority of NZ companies, they all want over 500

Pick a town, get a place to live and a retail/hospitality job. Hiring will have slowed by now and companies will often tell you "We have done our hiring for the year" but if/when people leave, those spots will need to be filled and the guys living in town, settled into the lifestyle and popping in once a fortnight will be the ones who get the call.

which town do you pick, Alice, Broome, Kununnurra, Katherine, Darwin, Jabiru? any of them a waste of time for a first job hunter?

mcgrath50 - thanks for that, I think ill go around a few, test the water and pick one :D

ozziejim,

I would say Darwin would be a waste of time for a first job hunter unless you have some serious connections.

I don't think Alice Springs is much of a chance for newbies either is it?

Not many operators out there and the one or two that exist look for over 500 hours.

Doesn't chart air from Alice Springs recruit for their outstations? Sure you might not get a job in Alice but they will send you on your way to one of their remote bases.

Thought their other bases were Katherine and Darwin. Not sure they have any more remote than Katherine. Maybe Jabiru?

In addition Katherine, Darwin and Alice Springs, I think Chartair have bases in Ngukurr, Hooker Creek, Warburton and Borroloola. The Chief Pilot is a friendly guy, he generally will have a chat with you if you stop by at his preferred (late afternoon from memory). Worth a try.