Thanks mate. Keeping an open mind to whatever options that may be available and also which options suit my family needs the best.

Also considering Kununurra and Broome. From what i can see - in terms of housing rentals - its bloody expensive and not that easy to come by. Just tossing some ideas around at the moment.

This one is for the Top End veterans... I need to do an IPC but do you think potential employers will mind if mine has lapsed? I just want to get up north and crack the job market, which I'm presuming it's VFR.

I'll steer clear of the GA Ready course! I'll just go to MKT and do some flying there which can be my "Darwin familiarisation training"

No doubt you’ve looked at Station life? With your background it would no doubt assist. Plenty of options around.

Good luck and have a blast.

Right place right time and all that!

The wet season in the top end can get quite interesting! Personally, I’d make sure my IF skills are to a standard to make sure you remain safe if you do encounter any tricky situations inadvertently.

Your first job is highly likely to be a VFR single, and having a valid IPC won’t make you that much more employable. I’d save the coin until you’re career is at a point that you’re ready to progress into IFR flying.

Just on that: If you happen to watch too much television, you might think all they fly on Stations are choppers.. but many have fixed-wing also.

Unlike life in the big cities, quite a few tradie businesses in the top end rely heavily on aviation to service their customers. eg. Jetstream Electrical have their own fleet of aircraft, including singles, twins and a couple of Metroliners!!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b3f1706559.jpg

You can always do it down south at Fast Aviation. Their training is highly regarded across the industry, even for NT and far Nth QLD gigs.

Having a current IPC will not really help get a first VFR gig but you never know what's around the corner. Also, if you plan on applying for RFDS, Careflight or many other operators out there in the future, these positions will require X amount of renewals (see current ads for what they are asking).

Thanks mate. I haven’t come across Station Life, so I’ll have a look. Know a bloke who runs a site RFTTE (Ringers From The Top End) that might be worth having a chat to as well.

Keep your IPC current, it will probably save your life in the wet season. Operators look favourably on it too as they know you'll more than likely need it smashing out of Groote into a monsoon in your 210.

Nice tip. I'll play the waiting game in Darwin for 6 months and then after that I'lll shoot south to do the IPC

'Smashing' is right. Best not try that for real: https://www.atsb.gov.au/publications...r/ao-2013-063/

Poor taste.

Your words, not mine...

Monsoons in the top end are to be treated just like the nasty giant monsters that they are and avoided at all costs. I use that fact to point out that a new chum in a 210 thinking their current IPC may "probably save your life", might just be tempted to do exactly as you suggested.. and end up the way my friend did. :sad:

Shock horror you can fly VFR legally in a monsoon. Doesn't mean you cant use every tool at your disposal, being proficient on the 6 pack is probably the most useful of them all. Anyone who says otherwise is a clown (you).

Obviously not a good friend if you imply he got smashed up 🤣

Hey hey hey, none of this nonsense drama on this thread thanks, I don’t want this thread turning out into another PPRUNE thread full of nonsense like on other threads.

Anyways, from an unbiased POV, I think there’s a bit of a miscommunication and misunderstanding here. My guess is that what you’re trying to say Beans is that it’d be good to have your instrument rating current (therefore getting IPC) so you have the ability to navigate through poor viz/low cloud base etc (however this does not give you an excuse to enter poor viz conditions, all pilots should know that they should never enter IMC while VFR).

Additionally, PiperCameron’s right about the associated weather hazards with monsoons (mind you my knowledge is solely from reading multiple ATSB reports and meteorology theory) which is to not to be underestimated and should be avoided at all costs to prevent an unfortunate accident that occurred with PiperCameron’s mate from occurring again.

Yes it’s good to have the knowledge and ability to navigate through poor viz/low cloud in the event you accidentally enter IMC while VFR (through renewing your instrument rating and therefore doing an IPC), however it’s not an excuse to enter monsoonal weather just because your instrument current as it’s an accident waiting to happen.

just my 2 cents

Weather affects ALL flights. A fine day can be just as dangerous as a inclement day.
Be vigilant at all times and aware of what is going on around you.

Potentially. The question was asked if it's worth renewing your IPC to be more employable in the top end? The answer is yes. You are more attractive to an employer and having a good scan ready to go could make the difference IF you ever get into trouble. I never said it was a good idea to enter IMC under VFR. Assuming flying in monsoonal weather = IMC shows a lack of understanding of basic met and top end weather conditions. Keep it current.

It's been two decades since I fondled the controls so don't know what the state of play is regarding regs these days, but in days of yore lads would wait until dark for the trip home (no pax of course) in order to clock up the night hours for the ATPL, naturally had to be night rated, but conditions with no ground or celestial lighting it's hard core IMC. They were just making use of opportunities to gain experience at no cost to the employer.

Still happens today, however carefully managed for most within 48.1 limits (unless you’re an operator in KNP - regs don’t apply to Rees)

Not to mention the good ole dry season smoke haze!