Hi all,

Nice to revive this thread after 2 years. Was just wondering what candidates' experiences have been with the interview and sim flight in Wagga.

I passed my WOMBAT and will be heading down soon.

Thanks!

I went through this a couple of years ago, didn't get in though.

The in person interview was very similar to the phone interview, I got a lot of the same technical questions. Expect them to mostly about whatever aircraft you fly, and a couple of basic questions about the saab. These are meant to be pitched at your current level, although in hindsight I copped a few that were beyond the scope of my training at that time.

They ask the expected questions: why Rex, why do you want to be a pilot, what research did you do to prepare for this interview, do you have any leadership experience, etc. Didn't get many behavioural questions.

The sim was just about doing some basic straight and level turns, maybe some climbing and descending. No landings. I probably tanked this as I'd never flown a sim before and didn't have any kind of instrument scan going that early.

Overall it was a pretty weird experience, going from the wombat test where I didn't see a single person other than a receptionist, to driving 6 hours for an interview to meet two people in a dingy office. Didn't get any feedback after requesting it after either, just silence.

Thanks a lot for answering and sharing your experience mate. Sorry it didn't quite work out.

Do you believe it was the interview or simulator that might have been the problem for you?

Cheers

It's a guess since they didn't give me any feedback, but I suspect the sim. At that time I'd only flown a jabiru, which needs full power in a steep turn to maintain altitude. I tried tat on the sim and was climbing. I probably wasn't maintaining heading well either (I only had a couple of flight hours when I applied). The interview went pretty well, I think the only thing negative points against me is that I didn't have much in the way of leadership experience to talk about.

Not fussed, I've nearly finished my CPL since then. It was good experience anyway.

Oh damn. Too bad they were so harsh on you in the sim, it's pretty strange that they'd attempt to hold you to a standard higher than what would normally be expected of a pilot with so few hours.

Yeah, I wouldn't see a reason for you to be fussed. You've got your CPL now, and have some good experience to carry forth!

Thanks again.

Rex 027 Cadetship 2023
 

Hi everyone, I recently applied for Rex 027 course set to commence in Jan of 2023. After receiving an email for an zoom interview I was knocked back. The interview only went for 10-15mins, they asked about what flying experience I had (of which I have none), what I'm doing in terms of work and why I would like to be a pilot. They also asked if I had any questions.Obviously super disappointed to not make it through to the next round- there is also a mandatory 6 month wait until you can apply again. Keen to here anybodies experiences for this latest intake.

I'd probably try to get some flight experience and demonstrate some interest in aviation. Are you highly interested in aviation? Do you truly desire to follow it wholeheartedly as a career, or do you just think it seems kind of cool? Also what's your level of education/current employment?

If you get some flight experience under your belt and demonstrate an immense interest and plan for it, I'm sure you'll be fine next time. Don't give up if this is your true passion!

Hi, really appreciate your advice. I'm planning on getting some flight experience under my belt next year, before I apply again next year (maybe). I currently have a Masters of Science in Medicine, I work as a clinical trial coordinator.

Thing is, you will be up against people who went to the Air Cadets, flew R/C models, soloed a glider at 15- committed, life-long aviation tragics (of which I am one!). Unless later in life you have picked up this kind of enthusiasm and can demonstrate it, there will always be some keen type ahead of you, because it takes that kind of single-mindedness to put up with the BS being a pilot entails!!

Dude, do a couple of years in medicine and buy your own plane.

Sounds like your career is going quite well in medicine, and unless you're really passionate about flying, I would definitely stick with that. Earning $60,000 a year as a SAAB f/o with a $100k debt is not ideal unless you totally and wholeheartedly aspire to fly as a lifelong career.

This is 100% correct, if you were passionate about getting in, you'd have to demonstrate this mindset and commitment to flying.

Good luck regardless, whatever your future may hold.

Change your PPRUNE name maybe??

​​​​​​​Why? It's anonymous, let ya hair down.

How competitive is the Rex Cadetship? Do you guys know what the acceptance rate is like?

I am 17; in Yr 11, I have a Cert II in IT, I've done RAAF Cadets, I have 10 flight hours, I'm doing Maths Adv and Physics as my HSC subjects, and I generally get good grades. So what would be the chances of getting in for a guy like me? I can't see myself pursuing any other career, and the Rex cadetship seems like the best pathway into aviation for me. I've got my heart set on this, but I want to have realistic expectations.

Also, is there anything else I could do to become a better candidate? Has Rex offered work experience in the past? I've done some digging, and I'm yet to find anything.

Thanks - clamspread :)

Work experience in an airline is difficult as anything airside will require an ASIC, which rules out hanging with engineers, groundies and tech crew. You might be able to do limited WE in the hangars or hanging around customer service. Only way to find out is to contact the company directly and show interest.

As for what can be done to improve chances. Get to know the industry, questions like why you want to work at x and why you want to be a pilot, how you have dealt with conflict and good knowledge of the aircraft the operator uses and the operators history. Think carefully of your aims in the industry, the people interviewing you will probably see through an answer like "I want to fly a SAAB until I retire at 65" from an 18 year old. Don't be too hooked up on one aircraft type either, you could do a fantastic speech about how you love the SAAB and want to fly them as long as possible and the guy interviewing you is on the project to replace them in a year.

Thanks for the reply 43; I am getting my ASIC with my flight school. Once I get it, I'll see what work experience is available.

Do you have any idea how competitive each intake is? I've heard of the shortage of qualified pilots in Australia and how QA is apparently 'plundering the Rex pilot pool'. Is there a deficit of pilots that Rex is trying to compensate with the Rex Cadetship? In my opinion, Rex doesn't clearly state who they are looking for. Universities have guaranteed entry ATARs which makes things simple; I know Rex AAPA is no University; however, I feel like I'm being led astray as I have no idea what I should accomplish to become a competitive applicant.

One last thing, are there any extracurriculars that you would recommend to me? I did RAAF Cadets for a year, but I am too old to return to it now. I have a small company where I employ a few mates (demonstrates leadership???) But apart from that, I don't know what else I should do.

I'll consider what you said with the interview questions when I get further into the application process.

- Thanks again

That's not quite correct. You'd be paired with someone who has an ASIC. We've had many work experience students come through Airside at a Capital City airport.

Do you know the names of the companies that have previously offered Airside work experience?

WOMBAT TEST
 

Hi all,

I have a WOMBAT test coming up in SYD soon and am wondering if anybody has any advice/tips for it?

TIA

Skywest (Now Virgin Australia Regional) offered airside work experience in perth as part of a high school program about 10 years ago, but not sure if anyone does it now.