Charter life in Oz
 

Hey all,

Let's say I know someone who has a fresh CPL and instrument rating. They're 34, willing to go bush (whilst the family stays in the city) and he doesn't mind working his backside off.

Where would be the best place to start to get a charter gig?

What's life like as a charter pilot in Oz?

And dare I ask, what coin could he send home each week?

My friend will appreciate the advice from those in or have been in the game :)

RD

Tell your friend to get a divorce if he plans on going down the path you have described

Haha care to expand why? :8

Darwin has a lot of movement atm. Get up here, set up shop and hit up the operators. Won't be too long before he gets a start

And get started on the divorce papers

Let me rephrase that for you: How much coin can those staying at home send him?

Sadly unless things have changed somewhat, the wage he could expect would cover his costs of remote living with very little left over to send anywhere. In reality, none at all if he wants a beer or two after knocking off.

Well, it might have something to do with the coin you do . . . n't send home.

Or the fact you'll probably forget what your wife looks like over the next three to four years.

Or the fact that this will be OK, because every time you do see her, she'll remind you of the bloody mess you've left her with.

I mean, your friend that is - not you ;)

Thanks for the advice guys, maybe 'my friend' might get his instructor rating and stay in Sydney :)

In all seriousness, if you can find a way to relocate your family to wherever you end up (assuming it's not a total backwater), and your Mrs doesn't mind finding a job so you can all support yourselves, you can probably make it work. They may even end up being some of the best years of your life (in a sentimental sort of way - certainly not financial).

Here lies the problem if your friend went north he can at least have a rough idea when he will be able to afford to buy food and pay rent with the same paycheque. Flight training can be a long road before that without your friends Mrs holding the fort.

A Darwin base would be the best of both worlds if she could find work, and if you go remote reasonably close you could get back for weekends.

The most successful people I have seen in GA are single, or divorced. (I did hear a joke recently that said you are not a real charter pilot until you have had your first divorce.)


If you - sorry, your friend - sticks with the Mrs, then she needs to be asked how she feels about holding the fort, essentially a single working mum, while he chases his dream. Even if she goes remote too, then the conversation needs to be had - how does she feel about the Man of the House missing dinner, because he is late back from a charter, or missing the kids birthday party because a last minute charter came up, or never being able to say, yes, honey, I will definitely be there (to pick up the kids from school, to be with the kids while you have a girls night out, etc....).


If she moves too, then you lose the support services of family / friends / neighbours who can pick up kids or lend a hand if the car gets a flat..


And on days off, the fact that as a good partner, you will be expected to step up on the housework / parent front. You either become a very good team, or.....let me give you the name of a good lawyer.

I went from Melbourne to Cairns for my first job. Nine months there then off to Alice. One year there then off to Darwin. Darwin company went broke 2 weeks after I started, leaving us with a six month lease and no job for me as it was the end of the dry season. These are the risks.

My wife has a professional qualification so finding meaningful work wasn't a problem. Suitable accommodation on the other hand was difficult if not almost impossible to get if you don't want to share house. Furnished places whilst not that rare are horrendously expensive to rent. If you have kids don't even try to do this as it was hard enough for two adults to do.

I know I have said different in the past but if you have kids or a mortgage, stay in your big city and do an instructor rating. Work up to ME instructor and be patient. Its a lot easier to attend interviews living in Bankstown or Moorabbin than it is from Kununurra.

When you say family are you talking wife only, or wife and kids?

If it's just wife, then why not take her with you?

I've made the move with my then partner (now wife) and worked in north QLD and serval places in the NT. She followed me around as she is also a professional and wanted the experience as much as I did. Unfortunately I've been witness to many long distance relationships that just didn't work in GA. Even if you're instructing and are the sole breadwinner you will be in for a challenge! You should pretty much bank on earning sub 100k for the next 10 years and see how that works in your long term plans. While some are (extremely) lucky and only spend a few years in GA, even then you'll find a regional gig is not the sort of coin you might be used to if you were earning a good professional salary.

I'm not trying to sound all "doom and gloom", but these are some realities you need to face.

Make sure both you and your (or your mates) partner are prepared for many years of ****ty wages and slogging it out on GA and/or instructing. Things are good NOW, but they have a tendency to change.

Hopefully things will move quickly for you and you'll progress, but as with anything when flying Plan for the worst, hope for the best!

Hi radiodude,

Without trying to hijack the thread, but noting the negative outlook of some of the responses, has your friend considered the Military? It might be worth considering for someone with life experience, looking for a new challenge but with a family to consider.

Obviously the Military is far from perfect but it does give a stable pay packet and support to families. A lot of new aircraft are coming, and they will need people to fly them.