Air Frontier
 

I was hoping someone out there who has worked for this operator or has some inside information be able to shed some light on where their bases are and what operations they are running?

I've had a look on their website but only lists Darwin.

Are you sure you were on the right website?

Kinda obvious, but first off it is "Air Frontier" and from what I recall they operate out of Darwin, Gove and Borroloola (Don't quote me on the Borroloser one).

In regards to working for them, expect to be taking for a ride to start, known a few people very recently who were working for free around their office, cleaning aircraft etc... they got a little time with them, mostly ICUS, but one in the end was told "Oops sorry, turns out we don't need you now, but thanks for the free labour!!" and another one it dragged on so long (3 months if I remember correctly) they he got fed up and left.

Unless things have changed in the last month or two, good place to get some hours if you can actually get a job, but expect to be stuffed around.

A mate got screwed over there last year, with the boss hitting him up for 6 months accomodation costs in Gove, after agreeing it was included. The operation, as I know of, is a utter joke! Don't waste your time... even on the website. Hold short

ok, I'll bite.

345789

You wouldn't happen to be an old operations manager of AF who has just started working for another company on the airport in a similar role? Just remember; your new employers/workmates could be reading this site and it doesn't take much to join the dots.

Air Frontier

If you're a new guy looking for a start in the industry with plenty of hours to go in the logbook, then here is your place. I can't think of too many places that will let guys have a crack at the twins with 500-600 hours TT under their belt with only 3-6 months time out remote. There is a good bunch of guys working for the company at the moment, who all put in the hard yards. Be prepared to put in an effort; those that have are rewarded. All the guys who have recently left have all progressed to turboprops/jets.

Better still, they are willing to give 200 hour guys a run. Get some 210 time under your belt before you head North.

Great to see both sides of the coin.

Some of the other companies getting slagged off here don't get around to speaking up.

And that's a good reason to treat people like **** is it?

And who would you be wawa?

If I had really deep pockets I could post some of the goings on there..................

You've been warned biggles, but I doubt that'll stop you or anybody else going there!

Maybe there's a reason for that?:rolleyes:

That being said this is not a comment for or against AF.

Not a post for or against them...

Just know many a pilot who offered services for no such reward, and only to be bitten. The carrot is held in front for as long as possible there... They will milk you. Mind you reasonable equipment ad opportunities there as is most places in Darwin if your in the right place right time...

I wonder if they are still using full length before turning around in the chieftain and baron, gotta save those brakes...:hmm: geez that used to piss me off... As soon as I heard them in the circuit, it was min speed because I knew it was a 30 min wait till they would clear the freakin runway...:D

And while there are pilots willing to slut themselves out (note lack of the word prostitute - at least they get paid for getting screwed) there will always be operators happy to do the screwing, using a plentiful supply of screwees as an excuse to continue the practise. :=

"There's always someone else who'll do it if you don't want to."

You paid $40K to get your CPL.
Have some self-respect. Get paid!
And I do speak from experience.

Kinda like skydiving operators who don't pay pilots.....:rolleyes:

Ha Ha, forgot about that. Worked for GH many years ago and my "induction" was a two hour lecture in front of a Bonanza listing all the things that he would sack me for!

Interesting to note that almost all the other GA operators from my time are gone yet AF still lives.

(please note this is neither pro nor con AF)

Would a new CP changes people's opinions?

Owner and cp biggles

Still doesn't say much...

Some bought out, others just shut shop. Couple closed down... Doesn't mean the best remain!

Has anything changed. after all these years?

Yes... but whether it's for the better or worse is a matter of opinion :}

Apparently all hires now go through some a380 captain who 'helps run' the company from the east coast. I think he wanted people paying foe 'interview check rides' :D:D:D:D:D:D

oh thats good.

No BS, I'm afraid...

Said QF Captain has popped up in many places before with "arrangements" like this. The common theme is that he seems to leave a trail of destruction in his quest to assuage an ego that's bigger than he is! I've learnt this first hand, to my cost.

One of the lads he recently did an "interview ride" on told me that he was advised by said QF Captain to go to Brisbane and get some 200 series training... then come back in six months time and try again. Silly lad actually did that, to no avail...

I hope he doesn't cause grief to AF, the current CP could do such rides himself or if not, identify a pilot internally who has some instructing history to look at the prospectives.

Flying Bear, please tell me this isn't PB who ran FTA into the ground in Brisbane?

Ixixly, that'd be him!

FB, the current CP does have instructional experience. Top bloke. :ok:

I'm told that the privilege his company on this check ride is a real bargain at only $500:ugh: I pity the newbies trying to get a start in this industry, pack lube :mad:

Seems he's staying true to his nickname Gougin'

Ixixly,

You've nailed it...

Dear God...some people really need to learn when to give up. Ah well, I never had a great deal of respect for Scare Frontier anyway!

I hear prospective applicants have to pay to do that "interview ride in Brisbane" then a check ride at AF.
Is this correct or am i hearing wrongly?
And does anyone know what are the chances of getting a position at end, or do you go onto a waiting list, or what?
And what is AF like to work for?

$500 for a check ride in a 210 in Brisbane with Boughen and his school - to only get CONSIDERED for a job in Darwin??

Oh...my...goodness...

What has the world come to?

Which school, I thought PB closed his school / schools

From what I understand he still has a number of Aircraft on the field at YBAF, but I wasn't aware he had any affiliation with any particular schools after FTA went down the gurgler.

Airline grounded due no Chief
 

Just heard that AF is ground due to no CP. they hope to be up and running in 3 weeks. Does anyone know if this is true.

Corvalis,
The Chief Pilot's last day was yesterday and as of Tuesday, they didn't have a candidate to present to CASA.
....so yes, I would say this is true.

They got a bit of a good wrap on ABC Radio Darwin this morning as a result of Air North’s crew shortages.

Looks like the pilot shortage is starting effect the remote communities. I know of at least 4 other GA companies in the Territory who are possibly going to have to put their aircraft on the ground for the same reasons as mentioned above if they can’t hire suitable Chief Pilot candidates.

It will be interesting to see what the NT government’s reaction is when essential services start to become effected.

C'mon Duck, name names.

Well, the most experienced general aviation operator in the territory for a start

AFAP Pilot jobs pages reveals everything. It’s not hard to find.

Doesn’t surprise me. The owner is stuck in his ways from 20 years ago. Probably still thinks he can get a CP for 70k a year. Not a single ounce of empathy here. The industry evolves and you have to evolve with it or fade away.

I heard he was offering 150k

As recently as last month, AF was interviewing pilots then telling them to go Redcliffe and get 5hrs C210 then come back to then spend $550 on a check flight.

Then you spend another $440 to read the Ops manual and start the ‘PPDC’ ICUS Course. In other words, a 4 week induction without pay, before 2 more check flights before they offer you a job. They just don’t tell you this during the initial interview/s.

Whats happening with Chartair? They seem to have been advertising for a CP for quite some time now.

A company like chartair should be able to find a chief pilot I would assume. AF on the other hand would struggle because no one would want to put up with the management.

I think everyone has gotten sick of a said ex airforce bloke.