Nothing wrong with TVSA, professional crew.
If/when finished there, Point cook flying club has a c150 @110hr and a c172 @160hr. (wet)
Also a satellite of MAS runs a weekend operation out of the clubhouse, so ongoing flight training happens there.

By commercial pilot I assume you mean an "airline" pilot - just to clarify, to work in GA as a pilot you will need to hold at least a commercial licence.

If your aim is "I want to be an airline pilot" and every other role is a stepping stone then serving your apprenticeship in GA is a path well trodden.

Others may have different takes on the process but this is mine:

If your target is "the airlines" then if you have the aptitude and attitude and motivation it will usually result in you reaching that target.

You will need to throw yourself into any GA job with passion and responsibility and if you have the aptitude, hunger and perseverance you will make it. It doesn't always follow like A->B->C but requires commitment and perseverance on your part and that will likely eventually get you to an airline job if that is your target (and will build up your store of wisdom and experience as a pilot).

Worth noting that many people who just wanted to be an "airline pilot" and are only doing GA under sufferance to build enough hours to apply, drop out before they get to that point as they don't want to put in the hard yards. Which is potentially a good thing as far as the airlines are concerned - it weeds out people for them.

Perhaps worth stepping back a bit it may be worth thinking about why you want to be a pilot - what is it that draws you to it? If it is a fascination about aviation and a desire to fly then don't discount the potential to carve out a lifetime career in general aviation that can be very personally rewarding and fulfilling. GA is not often well paid and for many not as glamorous from the outside as an "airline" pilot but can be very fulfilling - it depends on what motivates you.

If you are in it for the love of flying - why not try doing some initial training? - inquire about a Trial Instructional Flight with a flying school to see if it is what suits you - most schools do a good rate for a trial instructional flight as an intro.

Like I said - that is my take but I am an opinionated old fart - worth trying to talk to folks who have gone through the UNSW course (or similar) and see where that has taken them.

I’m about halfway through my CPL unit and just wanted everyone’s two cents on the instructor rating vs Multi Engine and Instrument rating issue.

While I would like to instruct, it doesn’t seem like there are too many jobs out there at the moment. Is it any better in single engine GA, which is where I would be heading of I do the multi cna intrument rating.

Any thoughts would be very much appreciated.

You're kidding right? Flying schools are desperate for all Grades of FI's. Trawl through AFAP jobs and you will note that pages are full of listings.

If you have a passion and enjoy the satisfaction aviation education brings, go for it. Its long, tiring work which is demanding but working towards high level Flight Instructor qualifications in the Part 61 world may pay dividends later in your career if you so desire.

Hi all, I'm a school leaver with PPL looking for a good CPL course that I can put on VET HELP for next year. I've been eyeing out Redcliffe Aeroclub's Diploma of Aviation which can get me RU, MPPC, NVFR and CPL MECIR for $73 614 loaned.

Compared with other RTO's who offer the exact same course (AVI50415) RAC is the only I've found that offer a MECIR, while staying under the max loan amount. It's also close to home and the airport I've done all my ab-initio and private flying from.

After finishing the course I'll have just upwards of 200 hours, possibly some 210 time and a MECIR CPL. My main question, is this a good position to go job hunting up north?

I think you would find, other schools would be able to tailor their CPL diploma course to you as most would assume that you are starting without a PPL. Alot of schools like basair and air gc down the coast offer the MECIR under a seperate diploma which allows students to do the CPL course from scratch and then the MECIR course without busting the $75k course cap and the $100k lifetime cap.

Only a little piece of advice but you've made me rethink my plan altogether. Get on the next bare CPL course at Basair, AirGC or ADFA, recognition-of-prior-learning my PPL and 60 hours thus bring the total tuition fee down, allowing for the pursuance of a MECIR + 200 series time or FIR under VET HELP without reaching the $100k limit by a generous margin.

Flying clubs in New Zealand
 

I want to start flying from next year , and Ive heard a lot of great things about Flight training Manawatu , the name has been changed to New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy. I would like further suggestions on this. Itd be great if you guys coould help me out . :)

Flight schools in New Zealand
 

Ive been searching a lot for flight schools in New Zealand and have chosen to go with NZICPA (New Zealand International Commercial Pilot Academy) earlier called as FTM . Does anyone have any views on this school or any other opinions as to which might be better? Any help is appreciated :)

Mature aged - starting a pilot career
 

Hi
Does anybody ever hear if over 45’s make the effort to change careers and get hired as DEFO or similar.

Appreciate the cost and potential unlikeliness to make LHS on a wide body, but what about the dream.

Yep know of several of over 45's who have done it and been hired as an FO.

Not sure of your location so costs are a bit had to advise on.

Chances of LHS for a wide body are in reality pretty low. Since you're asking about wide body and mentioned DEFO as well, the job you're likely to get initially will be FO on a Turbo Prop and then take your chances from there, probably a command on a Turbo Prop then either FO on a narrow body or SO on wide body.

Thanks. I’m Sydney based, was looking at Central Coast Aero Club.

I’ve been involved in airlines for many years (10+ years), working at Virgin and Qantas in Technology, but have always had a dream to fly.

Jobs?
 

I am planning on getting a CPL once I have received my PPL from air cadets, but after I have gotten my CPL what jobs are the for a single engine Rating?

Redcliffe, QLD training - BFR
 

Hi all, I'm heading back to Brisbane in February to do my BFR. I've been out of flying practice for around 7 years although have kept up to date with changes and potter around on MS Flight Sim. I'm looking for some thoughts on Air Queensland vs Redcliffe Aero Club, both based at Redcliffe. Does anyone have experience of either and could recommend one or both of them? I want an honest outfit who are going to give me the training I need, without going over the top, and have good quality aircraft for private hire as well.
Thanks in advance!

I don't know the Air Queensland guys but fly with the Aero club regularly. Plenty of 172s and a 3 182s + 200 series, twins and access to tailwheel. Combination of dials and glass but always well maintained. Biggest issue I've had in 7 years was one flat battery.
Priced on the tacho for private hire so a pretty cheap hour in the circuit. I generally fly on very short notice but have rarely not found something to take.
Suggest you drop past and have a chat with both of them to get a feel.

172fun, you can't go wrong with both Air Queensland and Redcliffe Aeroclub. Personally I choose AQ for any training because the aeroclub membership fee is too much of a burden on my already light wallet. As suggested above you should pop in to both joints to look at their aircraft, facilities and instructors.

For pvt hire there's always a Cherokee 140 parked on the grass outside the aeroclub which is competitively priced at $200/hr. Available for multi day hire w/ no 'day cost', only tacho time billed. All info online, just search 'Piper for Hire'

Thanks @PatrickF and @bloodandiron - very helpful. @PatrickF do you happen to know what the PA28 is like at the Aero Club?

Haven't flown it although I expect it will be in pretty good nick. Everything I've flown is kept in good shape.

PPL conversion (easa to casa)
 

Hi! In a few months, I will move to Australia for about 1 year. Thus, I am looking for a license conversion but I have one question : According to this document https://www.casa.gov.au/file/139811/download?token=Mkyzt7o5 , I need at least 2hrs ot "Dual Instrument Time". I wanted to know if flight hours without visibility (so, operating VFR) match these requirements or if I had to fly real IFR? Thanks.

Hi - "hood" time should be fine. The 2 hrs will be to match the local PPL requirements - almost always done as VFR with foggles or hood, and I think we accept half of that in a sim.