Ah, but the money was good while it lasted! Brings me to another point - CP rates under the Award are not realistic. Anyone taking the job on should demand 40 to 50% above the highest-paid line pilot rate or about 33% above the checkie rate.

To add a recent experience to this post. Did my CP/Fleet Manager (helicopters) assessment a week ago, Our school is well established so the intro to the school setup and a look over the AOC went well, got into the reg's questions but when he saw my one office desk with all the books laid out and ready to go, that seemed to impress! Was asked some questions, all fair and relevant. Then was given a 2 hour flight planning written exam. Was worried about this as had been shaken by the horror stories of suspended licences when flight planning abilities were found wanting....:uhoh: Well, got through that fairly comfortably, licence intact! But it was straight forward, no trick questions. Basic flight planning, time, fuel required etc. A question on in and out of ground effect power available and using the graphs to calculate how much I could lift out of there. Then finally a pretty full aircraft CofG problem.


Then after lunch, the flight, doing autorotation's and some other emergencies, but all straight forward. The whole thing did take the working day to complete. Testing officer fair and created a level cockpit gradient which was appreciated. So far, I have been impressed with CASA testing officers, polite, fair and professional. :) One should expect nothing less really.