Failed the IREX :(
 

Ok folks - I attempted the IREX and scored 63% .. now in my defence, I wasn't really ready and did try rescheduling but it was too late so I decided to go in and attempt it anyway - I self-studied for around 10 days using ATC"s book and attempted some of Bob Tait's exams - I passed (70-80 range) 3 of his exams and failed two ... I don't wanna lose confidence and am motivated to study harder but just wanted to ask others how much did they spend time studying (P/T or F/T) before they passed it? I have finished attempting all of Bob Tait's exams and have averaged in the 70's on 4 of them (out of 7) I'm also thinking of purchasing Rob Avery's question bank...any other tips?

Thanks!

AvGeek7 - given the required mark is 70%, you need to aim higher that that. If you're getting less than 90s in the practice, you're probably not ready. And practice under exam conditions and time limits.

Sorry to read that you flunked the IREX. Don't take it to heart too much, it's a tough one. If you're acknowledging that your preparation was haphazard, then leave it at that and try again. I put two weeks almost full time into it before I felt that my sanity was taking a hit. That's when I concluded that I wouldn't be any more ready to take it.

In hindsight, knowing the AIP backwards and the front and back parts of ERSA proved the very helpful. There were probably 10 ridiculously straightforward, instant questions in my exam that solely tested your ability to navigate your documents/charts and extract the relevant information. I dedicated most of my time on alternate and fuel questions, most of which involved decoding the TAF/TTF and making sure that I was not missing the obvious. The other questions that took a bit of thinking were those on approach plates (MDA, DA, what to do if you don't see the runway environment, etc...).

I think that the exam is designed around the assumption that you should be able to get all those "easy" points (drift, track error, finding things in the documents, the expected emergency-type questions) plus around half of the more involved ones to get a pass.

Regarding Bob Tait's book: Other than the questions at the end and the brain teaser ADF/VOR chapter, I found the other parts to be somewhat lacking structure which made it harder for me to grasp the "spirit" of it all (I self-studied which probably didn't help for something as thick and ill-defined as IFR). I'm not saying it's a badly written book but for a casual VFR private pilot with close to no exposure to the IFR realm, I found the book a bit dry. If I have one regret though, it's delaying reading the actual AIP (RTFM, if you know what this means). Surprisingly, I found it to be quite concise and in fact rather to the point without much ado.

I also solved around 450 questions: those in Bob's book, 4 sample exams on Bob's site and 4 in Rob Avery's book.

Lastly, if I was to have a second regret, it's not heeding my IF instructor's advice when she suggested that I take a look at the sample IREX questions on CASA's website. Truly that was one of the poorer decisions I made in life because I had them open in one of the billion browser tabs and it wasn't until after taking the exam that I took a read. I was stunned to find 5-6 of the very same questions that were asked in the IREX. No drama but I could have saved precious time.

Yeah I'm going to keep persevering until I get there .. no point crying over spilt milk now

Hey mate - cheers for the detailed reply .. I think I screwed up a couple of questions by misreading height v/s altitude when reviewing the plates (These seemingly minor differences can easily mean the diff between passing and failing) ..fuel calculations based on the TAF/TTF can be a tease .but I think I was ok on those ..Strangely, my major trouble areas seems to be around recency requirements and equipment needed for IFR CHarter vs Pvt etc .. One of my questions on recency contained options such as '85 days vs 45 days - I had never seen a question like that across Bob Tait's sets) ..

Anyway, I think I'm going to get further engrossed in the AIP and do Bob Tait's questions at the back of his book and chapters .. I'm also considering joining a theory course at my local school

Unlike most other exams, IREX is about what will keep you alive. Confusing altitude v height on an approach will kill you. And turning up somewhere without enough fuel to wait-out the weather - that will kill you too. Flying the approach wrong, or out of tolerance ... that will kill you. Descending below LSA on a dark night surrounded by hills - now that will kill you! So IREX is much more than just "know the stuff". When you're flying an approach in IMC with no auto-pilot, you'll be busy just doing the right thing - no time to check if it really is the right thing.

Think I'm exaggerating? It's easy enough to find approaches that miss mountains and towers by only a few hundred metres laterally, and a couple of hundred feet vertically. The Canberra VOR and Mudgee NDB come to mind. Get it wrong and we'll see your mess on the news.

IREX is open book - so you should make a note of anything you're uncertain about, and use the time at the end to check uncertain questions against AIP, ERSA etc. (That's what the scrap paper is for, noting things to go back to :ugh: ) And anyone who walks out of an IREX exam before the time limit, they are just throwing away marks!! Use all the time they give you. Same when you come to your ATPLs.

Hey guys,

I'm a 28-year-old looking to change their career. Is anybody able to recommend a flying school in Sydney / Bankstown? To be honest I'm almost a complete newbie when it comes to flying (took a test flight many years ago). Would be hoping to get my CPL or higher within the next two years.

I had looked at SOAR aviation but I've only heard bad things about them. Other schools that I've researched seem to be okay but I would be looking to do part-time if possible.

Good points drpixie.

I always remember flying the Ballarat NDB approach one dirty night (when the NDB was still there). No RMI, raw ADF. Didn't get visual, but I could see the glow of the city lights through the cloud! Really drives home just how close you are to obstacles in IMC. Some towers in the area are only a few hundred feet below, and being above sea level altitude and height are not nice round numbers. I really flew the tracks and numbers and was double checking. Extra vigilance that night. No room for errors!

Thoughts on RMIT Bachelor of Aviation for 2020?
 

Cadetships in Oceania
 

Obviously not for yourself ruralaviator as your other post states: "I'm currently a captain flying the 747-400F out of Israel on an FAA Validation and my contracts up in December. I have 28,000 hrs with 13000 hours on the 747."

I assume the query is for a son or daughter? Reading these forums for 23 years, it is obvious no two opinions are the same, so what suits one may not suit another. Where does the potential student want to end up and do they have the aptitude and commitment to get there?

• Cadetships cost 50% to 100% more than the traditional flying school route.
• An aviation degree does not appear to be a pre requisite to airline employment.
• An airline job or airline front row seat on graduation is not guaranteed.
• I still don't understand how an airline college graduate to airline FO gets the required command hours and experience to ultimately obtain an ATPL and airline command?

Conversely, what is this general aviation track you speak of? For a variety of reasons - including over regulation and a Regulator determined to wipe out GA - it appears extremely difficult to find a worthwhile GA pilot job that offers security and aircraft type advancement to gain the required hours and experience for an airline job. Additionally, with Qantas and Virgin establishing commercial "pilot academies" and talking 250 to 400 pilot "graduates" per year, I suspect the transition from GA to airlines will be increasingly difficult in the future.

With all these new airline colleges, there will obviously be a demand for instructors, but the airlines are very reluctant to employ a pilot whose predominant experience is 2,000 one hour circuits in a SE aircraft.

Has your son/daughter thought of an alternate career with a real future - medicine, engineering, IT?

I've been taking up flying lessons at Melton Flying School. Haven't looked in Essendon as been told they must fly to Point Cook airport and that time deducts from your flight lesson. They can't train from Essendon directly due to it being in the airspace of Tulla airport.

Sorry about the late reply - I haven't logged in here for a bit ..yeah I completely understand what you're saying.. I have flown into YSCB and YMDG a few times and yes you do get close to the hills (especially runway 30 for YSCB) ..

Yeah I have rescheduled the exam to January ..it will give me enough time to study and get it right! .

PS: I just gave my first CPL exam - Aerodynamics ..and passed it..so my confidence is back!

Flight Training Essendon
 

CPL exam results summary
 

Hey,
Does anyone know if when you complete all your CPL exams you are given a summary of results including passes and failures?
Upon completing a resit recently my print out with the KDR's made no mention of it being the second attempt! Just wondering how anyone would know how many attempts you've had.
Cheers.

A Pre-requisite report is requested by some airlines. It shows all results. You can obtain one from CASA for a fee.

Thanks for that. Just what I wanted to know!

BE 76 for MECIR
 

Starting Advice
 

Hi there. Google search is your friend when it comes to particular companies. There are also a few good aviation sites that offer advice to guys and girls just starting out. ProAviationTips has a pretty good article about sussing out prospective flight schools called choosing a flight school near me or something like that. There is a good list of questions at the end to ask the staff when you meet them for the first time

Best Perth flight school??
 

Hi guys,

Was wondering what the general consensus is for the best flight school in Perth, WA?

I did a few hours at Thunderbirds a couple years ago but had to stop due to some personal / work issues, and it seemed quite good there but not sure if it is still around.

I'm now in a position where I can fully work towards my CPL, so any advice on the best school would be great.

Thanks,
Joe

How to get a look inside a Gulfstream?
 

CPL student pilot here (currently have my PPL)
I aspire to someday fly a Gulfstream Jet & would really love to see one up close in real life.
What would be the best way to go about this?
I live in Brisbane so YBAF, YBBN, & YBSU are all within driving distance for me.

I'm hoping maybe a Gulfstream pilot frequent this forum & perhaps could invite me to take a look?
Would of course be happy to shout a few beverages once off duty. it would be great to hear about your experience as a Gulfstream pilot.

Or should i try reach out to a charter company & ask them directly?
I worry if I'm not a paying customer, they would just see me as a waste of their time.

Thanks for your time.
Kyle

If any beginner pilots wish to look up 'The GoFly Fix: How to do a pre-flight inspection' you will find a FREE video showing a lot of these practical things mentioned above!

Can anyone recommend Bini flight Training at Moorabbin? I haven't visited them but they seem like the only "non-sausage factory" on the field. I am wanting to get my PPL but avoiding large schools.

CQUniversity
 

Thoughts on CQuniversitys bachelor of Aviation?

Their training provider in cairns seems to be Hinterland Aviation but I can't seem to find any information on them apart from their charter operations

I haven't flown with them personally but have heard good things. It's often best to go in and have chat. Interair in YMEN is also worth consideration.

UNSW Vs Griffith - Master of Av Mngt
 

Hello All,

I am considering studying Master of Aviation Management provided by UNSW or Griffith University this year.

Any suggestions/feedback from these courses? Thanks so much.

You you can’t go wrong with the UNSW degree program. Very good course and excellent professional instructors running it.

Do a financial planning course instead.

there's some really good flower arranging courses at tafe too which are probably more useful

And, with that experience, you could start with a job at QCC before being demoted to the ranks of Pilot (in the eyes of those at HQ!). Do basket weaving too, if you get the chance.:)


And that's not a crack at your thread, by the way. Good luck with what ever you choose to do.

Do what you think works for your plan and situation. Don't bother with opinions on here. The degree won't get you a job in itself as has been mentioned as there is more to a position above Manager than just the Academic. It is the role fit (ie: Person, Experience, Education etc) . Good luck.

A degree is a degree, no matter where you get it from.
I gained a Bachelor of Aviation through Griffith University because of the convenience they provided for those studying via distance education.

The UNSW Master of Aviation Management
 

I have some experience of the UNSW program so you could consider I am biased.

However, there is evidence that Postgrad programs can enhance your knowledge in areas where you have not yet worked, but wish to move into. The right program can help you get shortlisted, and with the additional knowledge, you may be able to sway a selection committee, or talk your present boss into new responsibilities. The key is to build your knowledge in the area that you want to work in, to increase your opportunities, so you should look to see what courses (subjects) are available and if they match your needs. Simply having a masters degree does not of itself improve your options unless it is relevant.Those with negative experiences often have chosen the program focus badly, or chosen weak programs to get through with minimal effort.

I think if you look carefully you will be able to find the names of the course facilitators who deliver the courses at UNSW, and so confirm their high level of expertise. In addition these people have good networks so you can also build your network. All postgrad aviation courses at UNSW are available by distance. You can get details from:

Jamie Lim (Mrs)
Postgraduate Programs Coordinator
School of Aviation
Room 210, Level 2, Old Main Building
UNSW SYDNEY NSW 2052 AUSTRALIA
Tel: + 61 2 938 55 787 (direct)
Email: [email protected]

University or flight school?
 

Hey guys,

I’m currently a year 12 student graduating at the end of this year, I’ve always had my sights set on becoming a commercial pilot and am looking to make that a reality over the coming years. However I’m a bit stuck for choice at the moment when deciding what pathway is best to take. I’ve thoroughly looked into a number of well known universities and their aviation courses ( Griffith, UNSW, Swinburne etc) and I’m just not sure I can fathom the 3-4 extra years of study. Would I be better off just starting a CPL course as soon as school finishes and looking to get straight into the workforce after that ? Or would the airlines prefer to see a degree ?

any help is appreciated,

thanks,

tommy

Where did you fly? I might have just missed it but I couldn't figure out if you could do the Griffith course from Melbourne.