CPL jobs for low hour pilots
 

Hi guys,

I'm a recent CPL graduate based in Melbourne and I just wanted to know if anyone knew about any jobs for low hour CPLs like myself in Victoria.

I'm planning on doing a road trip up the east coast of Australia but wasn't sure if this was the best thing to do right now...

Or should I just continue to send out resumes by email for now??

If anyone has any suggestions please let me know!!

Cheers

First up I hope you have a flak jacket big enough to take a flight over Berlin in 1944 because I guarantee some fire is about to come your way.

As for an answer to your question, the only immediately obvious job would be instructing if you are really set in not moving, other jobs are very hard to find unless you want to head up to the NT, where they are only slightly easier to find.

Tell you the same thing I told the last bloke: "Woolworths"

Wrong time for up North but in the following months it may be worthwhile hitting up the operators down around Apollo Bay, Torquay way for the summer flying season. There are plenty of threads on here with advice to sift through when it comes to hunting for that first job. Good luck.

QANTAS has a Melbourne base. Try them.

Save some cash and make the pilgrimage north-west. Dealers choice how you get there - plenty of small airfields and operators either way you go. Unless you want to instruct or do useless skydiving flying don't waste your time in Victoria or up the East Coast. Maybe for your second job.

There are plenty of threads on this (because everyone has done it, or is about to) but I'll get you started because standby has me stuck at home.

Best bet is to arrive 'up north' in January. Any later might be too late. Find a town you like, settle in, find a job pulling beers, making lattes, stacking shelves, whatever. Drop by the operators from time to time to let them know you're still around.

Think Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Kakadu, Kununurra, Broome.

Because it teaches you how to take off heavy and land light..many more times per flight hour than most pilots which is obviously a skill not required for an airline pilot

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Not having done it I don't actually know what is involved, but I can't imagine it being useless

It's not useless, you just don't want thousands of hours doing it.


If you can use it to get over the 500 hour mark then it is a good way to get a start.

Absolutely agree, I used it as my first job in between working a full-time job. Pay was $20 a load and worked with some undesirables. However, operating in class C dropping in between RPT meant being given a drop time by ATC and working backwards from departure to be on point, at height, on the minute, taught me the valuable lessons of time management and engine management.

Agreed though, not something you want to do forever!

Being able to read a clock is important! :E

Long haul airline pilots take off heavy and land light all the time! ;)

Yeah but generally you hope POB at start = POB on landing for airliners, for some reason throwing them out the side door is frowned upon no matter how deserved it may be

Folks, I'd suggest that ANY flying is useless if approached in the wrong way. Equally so any flying can be useful to a degree with the right mentality. If you get out there and set yourself new challenges each and every flight you'll be all the better for it, no matter what you're doing.

My philosophy for a 150 hour CPL holder is any flying would be useful. Mates want a cost sharing scenic flight? Do it. Someone needs an aircraft ferried somewhere? Do it. Same for things like sky diving and nearly any other flying you can get. If it builds those hours in your book then it's a good thing.

I think it's important to visit the operators you wish to work for. Just firing emails out and sending resumes probably won't work. Be prepared to move to other side of the country if it means getting employed as a pilot.

What ever you do, don't do P2F i.e. 'pay to fly'.

Only way to do it is get your CV up to scatch clearly outlining the high impact points on the front page - name, contact details, licence and ratings together with a simple break down of your hours. Second page, education, other qualifications outside of aviation and referees. Make sure your referees know that you are using them!

Then get in your trusty wagon, dress up and go and hand deliver your CV. Be prepared to get the kick in the pants, ala I've got 50 pilots hanging off the tree out the front qued up sunshine! Or yer, lets have a chat, look at your logbook, licence and lets go for a check ride.

Go north in the wet season, I live in Darwin and operators are certainly hiring now!

Good luck, I know what it's like as I was in exactly in the same position in 93.

Instructor Rating can also be an excellent asset, particularly a Grade 1 with all the bells and whistles - looking long term.

Airline pilots in general mainly require computer keyboard skills to use the autopilot and navigation displays rather than manual flying skills which you need for dropping sky divers. :E

Totally disagree. I never had any operator say my time skydive flying (a good 1000 hrs worth) was a bad thing. In fact, being that most skydiving operations these days are owned by the same company who operate PT6 machines - I'd suggest the opposite. ie "Oh I see you've got caravan time, that's handy, as we operate caravans in RPT. Would you like an interview?" I've experienced this first hand, as well as watching other people do exactly the same.

Any paid flying opportunity is a good one.