There's also the Swinburne program! Much better than RMIT's program

Bold statement. What's your reasoning?
 

Exact same can be said about the Swinburne Program! I happened to go through the Swinny program and knew some people in the RMIT program. The swinny Batchelor side was comprehensively better than RMIT's with the broad range of subjects offered and the study tour that's conducted every 2 years is absolutely a must do if able!

Swinburne v's RMIT.
 

I had the same dilemma in Yr12. In the end went through a flying school. Got a CPL and MECIR 15 months later, went hour building and got enough time to go to Qantas link before the Uni course that I would have joined had even graduated. Up to you, but I wouldn't recommend a degree for flying.

It's a difficult decision. Most parents would like their kids to have a degree aka fall back option. Trouble is, as you know, degrees aren't cheap. Aviation degrees are very narrow in focus. I would only consider one if there were management/safety modules so if the worst happens within the first 5 or so years into your career, there's a ground based option. (It does happen, diabetes has nuked a few guys I know). To that end, consider an instructor rating etc (sim instructing etc). However, as you move through the career, the degree may or not be of use.

If you're set on being a pilot, then an aviation degree may be not cost effective. I would be researching what employers are requiring for employment. A degree might be there, but an aviation degree mightn't be as attractive (ironically) as a degree in another subject.
The biggest hassle with a degree is that is becomes "out of date" in a few years. So, as others have mentioned, gaining a degree later on in life is achievable. (I just completed a BSc(hons) in Psych -> and I'm going to train up as a CRM teacher).

The biggest mistake you can make is by assuming "if i go to a university I will get a job, and they will do everything for me".

I wont mention any names, but it is on your list. I was an instructor working for a flight training organisation that provided flight instruction to a university. I have never seen a higher drop out rate than this particular university course compared to every other type of course (private and airline cadets). Primarily this came down to student input - as a lot could not wrap their head around the whole "50% is not even close to a pass" philosophy of aviation.

Having said that, i am aware of several very good quality students that came from this particular university because they worked their asses off during the 2 year theory and flying phase of the course. Because of their hard work and efforts many of them are now in airline positions or with reputable general aviation or flight training organisations building hours.

The best advice i can give you is: Do you want a pilots license or a degree? if you are after the license you will be far better off going through a Flight training organisation with Fee help (But do your research on them too), it will cost you far less and if you are ready to put the work in you will get through it quicker. If you want a degree be ready to pay a premium for it. The university that i was involved in as an instructor used to charge nearly 100 dollars per hour on top of the aircraft training cost that was being charged to private students, and students usually wound up needing additional training hours (paid out of pocket) because of the part time nature of the course (they would fly 2-3 times per week on average during a flying phase, where private and airline students would fly 5-10 times per week).

RAA Flight Schools - how to choose when there are multiple at a location?
 

Any advice on how to choose an RAA Flight School when there are more than one available, assuming similar re pricing so taking this out of the equation. E.g. for RAA Pilot Certificate training/course. How about:

1. The range/size of their RAA fleet? One with more aircraft of the type you may want to fly after getting the certificate perhaps? (e.g. slightly easier than trying to rent aircraft from a different company/school at the same location when you didn't get training from them - or perhaps this isn't an issue?)
   
2. Type of aircraft to learn in: e.g. Sling vs Tecnam vs Fly Synthesis Texan etc - one better than another to learn in? (I'm guessing not necessarily)
   
3. Instructors - guessing this is difficult as hopefully all would be good at each school & any feedback would be based on hearsay - could go meeting/discuss with each school to get a feel yourself perhaps?

Examples of locations near me where there are more than one flight school would be for example: Caloundra and Redcliffe

I'm thinking currently probably putting into consideration (a) meet each school to get a feel + (b) putting some weighting on the fleet of planes they have available to fly solo after training...

I think it will depend on what your end goal is. Do you want a standalone RPL?

ideally ability to swap between RAA 2-seater plane (RA cert - outside controlled airspace) and 4-seater (e.g. Cessna 172 - controlled airspace - RPL) for 1-2 hour recreational flying typically...

Recommended flight schools in NZ?
 

Hello i'm a year 11 college student in NZ, i was just seeking the web for advice and so i thought this would be the best place to search for, anyways for those of you who are a student pilot or who have been through training or are commercial pilots now (in NZ) which flight schools would you recommend and why?

Cheers!
P.S. i'm a new user to this forum type format thing so excuse me for any mistakes!

Hey there, if I was to ha e my time again I would seriously consider Nelson Aviation College. I completed my flight training through 3 different school and NAC was by far the best place as far as quality of training and professionalism went. They are one of Air NZs preferred flight trainers as well which can potentially help in several areas. If you are able to complete a ppl at your local aeroclub than that is an awesome start. If you require the student loan system then a flying school is your best option as most aeroclubs cant support this. Hope this helps

Like most things, if ask 10 people and you'll get 15 different answers :}

A big factor in which flight training organisation is going to be the "best fit" for you will be your individual situation and what your end goal is. So, are you wanting to be a full time or part time student? Are you self funding or do you require student loan support? Are you going to stay in Auckland or are you willing to move?

Thank you sir, i will take your advice in consideration.

Why on earth would you merge a question on NZ flight schools with 30 pages of australian "newbie advice"?

Let me think: maybe the forum title could be an indication?

The Pacific: General Aviation & Questions The place for students, instructors and charter guys in Oz, NZ and the rest of Oceania.

I am a student pilot and have gone through quite a few interviews for flight schools recently. In my limited experience I would also recommend Nelson Aviation College. From what I have gathered through interviews they are have a great balance in schedule, professionalism and friendliness. Much like what Thewnz said I also recommend completing a PPL through your local aero club if you can afford it as it looks good on the application because it shows you have the commitment to the industry in a way. Also depending on your local aero club it is actually cheaper to get your PPL at an aero club compared to a flight school. If you have any questions PM me or reply and I'll be happy to answer.

Cheers mate! And when you were yourself in college like myself, did you focus on particular subjects that helped you get into a Flight school? Is it necessary to do well in Physics, Maths, and English? Because iev been getting Merits in all my advanced physics and maths but my parents say it isnt good enough.

Yeah I immediately applied for flight schools out of college to some success. Physics, Maths and English is important so it is good to focus on it. Based of the interviews I have done it is good to focus Maths and Physics because it was pretty prevalent in the entrance tests. You should also work on mental maths as it is important for not only for the entrance exam (The NAC entrance exam at the time I did it did not allow for calculators and all calculations have to be done mentally or on paper) but further on for Airline interviews. Regarding NCEA work this is generally the same for most flight schools and the requirements are Also as I got caught out by this although it says Physics counts towards 14 L3 credits in reality it does not.

By the way how did you mantain financially? Was it hard working and studying or did you save up money from early on?

It wasn't hard necessarily to work and study. I was in High School whilst studying for PPL so this was a major factor balancing NCEA study and PPL Study. I chose NCEA > PPL so my PPL was sort of delayed being I completed >90% of Flight Training prior to finishing my PPL Exams. In terms of maintaining financially I spent most of the money I earned on Exams, Study Material and Flight Training but this wasn't enough and luckily my parents were able to help me out so 50/50 split for my PPL.

Finding a new flight school
 

Not sure which side of Sydney you are on, but the Central Coast Aero Club at Warnervale has a highly experienced team of instructors, friendly club atmosphere, uncrowded (and scenic!) airspace, and a variety of Cessna and Piper aircraft online.

Many of the members/students come from Sydney. If you live on the north side, it is often quicker and cheaper compared to driving to Bankstown and copping the associated tolls.

I am not sure of the relevance of a flight to Cessnock and back, though if the operator was based at Cessnock it would be reasonable to do your first check there.
As for a 90 day recency requirement, otherwise a check; I expect every operator in the country who hires out aircraft would have this. Insurance being one reason, CASA another, and protecting yourself and the aircraft the obvious.

Any feedback on the Amber Aviation Academy based out of Essendon ?

Any web-link for the same ?

Who would like to blow 150k with no guarantee of a job afterwards just because of the "Qantas" brand on the flight school? It is no different to any of the other integrated flight schools throughout the country so, my question is, what is the specific value proposition offered by the Wellcamp facility over any other flight school?

The high probability if you want to work for Australia's biggest airline group your best shot will be through this academy. Whilst some non academy pilots will be employed into the group if the need arises with the numbers they're talking I'd imagine the vast bulk of the group's pilots will come from this institution.

Not every graduate will get a job straight away, some may get to the end of their course and find that business conditions have caused recruitment to stop temporarily. But then no GA or military pilot will be getting employed either. And when recruitment is ongoing I'd assume these academy graduates will be first priority.

You could save some money by training at another school (but with the cost these days not that much more), and you'd be hunting for a job elsewhere to build up the experience then applying in the hope that the airline has a need to recruit pilots from outside the academy. And being further back in Seniority. The slightly higher price of the academy would be outweighed by the long term career benefits..

Virgin is doing a similar thing with their academy in Tamworth. We are going to have a fundamental shift in how the two airline groups in Australia select and employ their pilots over the next few years.

Fair call. It is still a gamble as to whether you would get a job at the end - I think interest would be a lot higher if the Qantas stance was "you'll get a job as long as you meet our standards". My concern lies in whether Qantas is just using this for revenue and with a desire to pump out as many graduates as possible with no concern for whether roles exist in the company or not. I know this is no different to every other flight school, and I also know there is no guarantee of a job at the end of any type of pilot training regardless of how you get there. Just dont want to be taken for a ride and trying to avoid the "come here because we have the name Qantas on the front of our building (but you probably wont get a job afterwards because we only have 50 positions and 1000 of you to chose from)".

I believe the money goes to FTA, not the airline.

And if there are more graduates than positions, then even more so the reason to go to the academy. That means zero traditionally GA background pilots will be taken at all, as I'd assume all available positions would be filled by academy graduates.

The most probable scenario (I'd say 95%) in this circumstance is that you get a job within the group upon graduation. The worst case is that you graduate and there are no jobs available, but then you're really no worse off than any other GA trained pilot, and you'll have the benefit of being known to the group so when recruitment starts up again you'll have one foot in the door above anyone who went through GA.

With about 800-1000 CPL's (a large number for foreign students who won't work here professionally) issued in Australia every year, and this Academy ultimately gearing up to take several hundred graduates per year, and Virgin's academy accounting a large number as well, (and not to forget Rex's school in Wagga) the majority of professional pilot training in the country will be done via these academies. The real threat will be for every other flying school in the country, unfortunately a lot of these long standing schools will be closing down.

I think young people would be willing to pay the extra fees to have a more guaranteed shot at an immediate start with a major airline, rather than the "get your CPL and hunt for a job yourself" mentality.

There is a difference in the big academies like FTA and a normal run of the mill local flying school. They may issue you with the same licence, but the standard of the candidate will be one who can start employment as an airline pilot upon graduation, which is why major airlines select schools like these and not the Bonnie Doon Aero Club to deliver their course.

Surely the lack of a specific thread on pprune titled "qantas acadamy wannabes" (or something of the sort) is indicative of the interest in it...... (Lack of)

Dr Dre, couldn't find the thread..... What is it called? Its beyond page 4 when I look on my phone.... Sort of lost in the background is indicative of a lack of interest.

Where did the 20,000 figure come from? I would accept that figure with a massive lump of salt.

Either way.... 20000 applicants were interested. But I'm sure after Qantas casually slips the details across the table during contract signing a few eyebrows will be raised. There will be enough people out there who take a chance though.