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-   -   Jandakot, Western Australia flight school recommendations for PPL (https://www.pprune.org/pacific-general-aviation-questions/435992-jandakot-western-australia-flight-school-recommendations-ppl.html)

jamliner 6th Dec 2010 23:41

Jandakot, Western Australia flight school recommendations for PPL
 
Hi,


I am new to this forum, so any help/recommendations on finding a 'recommended' flying school at Jandakot, Perth, Western Australia would be greatly appreciated.

I have looked around the schools, trying to do my research as much as I can. So far I have been impressed with Minnovation after speaking with the chief flying instructor and going on a trial flight with the flying school.

To follow on from this, I am not entirely sure why but I then checked out RACWA, again going on a trial flight. Had great experience on the trial flight with a fantastic instructor. Because of this I thought I had made my mind up and later popped into RACWA to sign up. After signing up and requesting the same instructor that I had for my trial flight I was then advised that they would not be available and I would have to have someone else. Typically a young 'just passed their instructors course' flying instructor appears, aviator sunglasses en all.

Now I have read that I had the choice as a student pilot and as a 'customer' to pick and choose who I wanted to instruct me through my PPL and later on to my CPL. But after having a somewhat strange conversation with another senior flying instructor at RACWA whilst signing up, they advised I couldn't shop around so to speak and their rather hardline approach unfortunately put me off RACWA. So leaving me a little surprised, and well it further implanted some hesitation on whether I was learning with the right school in my mind now, typically after I had parted with a few thousand dollars having signed up as well. So all of this has lead me here, to ask this question and hopefully get some much needed advice.

I am now thinking, do I have the right to change flying instructors based on my personal preference, as I know who I would like to have instruct me but concerned that Jandakot and Perth as a whole is such a small place, so wouldn't want to make a bad name for myself as a nuisance having only just started out? In addition am I paying too much anyway with RACWA ($280 per lesson, including briefing) or is this a reasonable amount to pay over at Jandakot?

Again I would greatly appreciate anyones recommendations, previous experiences and advice on how much I should expect to pay for my lessons having just (effective controls) started at the RACWA flying school.


Perhaps I should re post my question. Can anyone please advise whether $290 per hour is a reasonable amount to pay for a 1 hr lesson.

Having read through many other forum members posts, it appears $290 is a reasonable amount against the competition over at Jandakot.

Many thanks,

J

legaleagle73 7th Dec 2010 12:58

I think the best advice is to go to all the schools, talk to the instructors and look at the planes. I think an experienced instructor you get on well with is the most important thing. Feel free to ask them what their flying background is and expect a detailed answer. Some people have a lot more experience than others (although some excellent instructors have always worked as instructors, and you may get on really well with a young instructor that doesn't have vast experience but is perfectly capable of training you to a good PPL standard).

My personal recommendation would be Advanced Cockpit Flight Training (Chad Dunn is especially good) or Minovation (I've never flown with Min but I've only ever heard good things). Search the forum and you may get an idea of the outfits that aren't so flash.

Good luck!

Capn Bloggs 7th Dec 2010 13:44


Had great experience on the trial flight with a fantastic instructor. Because of this I thought I had made my mind up and later popped into RACWA to sign up. After signing up and requesting the same instructor that I had for my trial flight I was then advised that they would not be available and I would have to have someone else.
Not the sort of attitude from RACWA that will get them students, esp in the current situation! :{

Clare Prop 7th Dec 2010 14:33

You handed thousands of dollars over in advance? :ooh: :=

schweizer 7th Dec 2010 15:03

stay away!

I trained at TAC and had a fantastic instructor, unfortunately TAC isn't around but the instructor has gone to TAS... thunderbird air services, something like that. Go and talk to Jerry, he'll turn you into a great pilot.

Just stay clear of RACWA.

Mecarsa Bitrusty 7th Dec 2010 16:32


But after having a somewhat strange conversation with another senior flying instructor at RACWA whilst signing up, they advised I couldn't shop around
Absolute rubbish!!! When your ready, well when you've exhausted the funds already forwarded to the club. Just pick a new flying school, advise them of your situation, and they will request your training records be forwarded on, easy as that!

Well is was back in my day!

Happy training :ok:

kellykelpie 7th Dec 2010 18:31

I think that you should stick with RACWA. Just explain your situation to someone in Management and make sure that you call the shots from now on.

It would be a shame to lose money now given that you have started the process.

Cessna Capt 7th Dec 2010 18:41

I'm guessing when you 'signed up' you did so with the admin/operations staff.

The only thing that annoys me at RACWA is the attitude of their operations staff. They are often rigid and always seem like they are annoyed to have to deal with you and you're in someway 'disturbing' them. There has been some great ops staff over years, but unfortunately there are as rare as hen's teeth.

Over the years, I don't know the reason, it has been harder and harder for students their to keep the same instructor. It's a real shame and I guess this is just another factor that has lead to the club's demised over the years.

If I can make a suggestion, have a chat to the CFI, raise your concerns with him. Avoid dealing with the ops staff as they will just fob you off.


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