Australian PPL School
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Location: Sydney NSW Australia
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Reb Baron at Bankstown, most know for its aerobatic training, but also does everything to CPL MECIR, not only will you get your PPL but also aerobatic endorsment, EMT training all using Robin and alpha 160 aircraft. CPL work is done with a C182 or duchess, even a Bonanza is online there. all instructors are ex Millitary flyers.
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Location: Bournemouth
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Alot of Homework when heading off to the other side of the world and plenty more still to do.
I have decided that a career in Aviation is something I want to have a crack at. I'm lucky enough to have time on my side, this isn't my only shot at becoming a commercial Pilot, It's a chance that has arisen and I want to give it my best shot.
Have been recommended & come across some nice schools with more of a "flying club atmosphere" further out from the main cities and personally feel this would be a better way to gain my Australian PPL.
Both Northam & Bunbury in WA. If anyone else has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated (Anywhere in Australia). Currently trawling through Google & old posts, have come across some very usefull ones.
Once again many thanks for all the positive responses
Greg
I have decided that a career in Aviation is something I want to have a crack at. I'm lucky enough to have time on my side, this isn't my only shot at becoming a commercial Pilot, It's a chance that has arisen and I want to give it my best shot.
Have been recommended & come across some nice schools with more of a "flying club atmosphere" further out from the main cities and personally feel this would be a better way to gain my Australian PPL.
Both Northam & Bunbury in WA. If anyone else has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated (Anywhere in Australia). Currently trawling through Google & old posts, have come across some very usefull ones.
Once again many thanks for all the positive responses
Greg
Last edited by 09GregRoy; 1st Feb 2013 at 15:23.
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There you go! I was born in Northam and my mother was born just outside Bunbury! Of the two Bunbury is a much bigger place (officially a city) and it is on the coast....probably more job opportunities... The other place is Merredin (where my Dad was born!)... It is a long way inland but they have a major aviation college there....setup for a Chinese airline but I think anyone can go there....
(just checked...Merredin is only for the Chinese)
(just checked...Merredin is only for the Chinese)
Last edited by awqward; 1st Feb 2013 at 19:26.
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Both Northam and Bunbury look like lovely places to learn to fly as does most of Australia.
Have been Impressed with Hunter Valley Aviation & NSW air.
Hopefully this trip will be an experience of a lifetime & a success.
If anybody has anymore school recommendations or general advise it is still greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Greg
Have been Impressed with Hunter Valley Aviation & NSW air.
Hopefully this trip will be an experience of a lifetime & a success.
If anybody has anymore school recommendations or general advise it is still greatly appreciated.
All the best,
Greg
Awqward.....I can't see anywhere I have put Australia down in my post. I just don't want to see an 18yr old kid arrive here thinking he will be rushed at to be hired in some high paid position because he won't be. Read Pontius's post again as he is quite correct. The so called "GFC" is starting to bite here now,and though we are doing far better than the USA or Europe unemployment is increasing here now. The only jobs available for someone like Greg will be jobs that the locals don't want. ie low paying, mundane,dirty,casual etc. That's assuming the government doesn't make it harder for foreigners to get jobs that Aussies can get first. He still needs to eat and sleep somewhere while funding his flying. Much better to stay at home get his PPL,save up and get skilled before undergoing such a venture.
But still you can only tell it as it is. As Pontius says,if you don't listen.....
But still you can only tell it as it is. As Pontius says,if you don't listen.....
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I won't comment on the foregoing technical/local knowledge based replies, I'm sure they're all accurate.
What I will say is that for a long time my sights were set on WA as the place to train for my PPL and a bit beyond. Well, that idea has firmly bitten the dust. With family in Perth, we travel fairly regularly to Oz but I can tell you that the cost of everything, and I mean everything, is absolutely astronomical!
50 quid for 4 drinks in a fairly ordinary bar for example. With the type of employment you'd likely get, you'll struggle to eat and keep a roof over your head, never mind fund a PPL. Add in the 1.4 ish current exchange rate and any cash you can take will not go far.
I take no pleasure in this message; in fact I'm gutted at this turn of events for me personally. But, unless you have at least the big (4 year) visa and have secured work in, say, the mines, this (you) aint gonna fly!
Realistic solution: Blighty or YankeeLand in my humble opinion. But the best of luck regardless.
What I will say is that for a long time my sights were set on WA as the place to train for my PPL and a bit beyond. Well, that idea has firmly bitten the dust. With family in Perth, we travel fairly regularly to Oz but I can tell you that the cost of everything, and I mean everything, is absolutely astronomical!
50 quid for 4 drinks in a fairly ordinary bar for example. With the type of employment you'd likely get, you'll struggle to eat and keep a roof over your head, never mind fund a PPL. Add in the 1.4 ish current exchange rate and any cash you can take will not go far.
I take no pleasure in this message; in fact I'm gutted at this turn of events for me personally. But, unless you have at least the big (4 year) visa and have secured work in, say, the mines, this (you) aint gonna fly!
Realistic solution: Blighty or YankeeLand in my humble opinion. But the best of luck regardless.
Join Date: Apr 2012
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WA jobs
I wasn't going to comment on the economics but, having read some of the other posts, maybe I can make a couple of useful comments. You probably know about the dual nature of the economy in WA - basically it's mining and everything else. The problem many many employers - including hospitality folks - have is that they can't get decent staff who'll hang around in the face of a 'trickle up' effect to the resources sector. In practice, this means that the unemployment rate, especially around Perth, is basically zero for anyone who wants to work and has a few functional neurons.
I'm not suggesting that commonly available work is glamorous but, with a bit of forward planning, you could do OK. For example, taking a short barista and hospitality course before you leave the UK could be worthwhile. The ability to make a coffee that didn't require a couple more passes through the horse would instantly distinguish you from most Perth operators
. An example at the less desirable, but maybe more lucrative, end of the scale came my way the other day in the form of a Scots working holiday maker in a crew repairing my storm damaged fence. Hard work, no doubt, but it is there.
It's undoubtedly more restricted in the regional centres but don't get put off by raw statistics - a lot of people in the sample group are effectively unemployable (just like the UK) and the whole point of being young and ambitious is to believe that the stats don't apply to you! For example, I recall an interesting conversation with the LAME at Bunbury about his attempts to employ a reliable junior gofer. Despite a theoretically large pool, it proved just about impossible.
So by all means do some homework and preparation but no need to believe you can't do it if you want it badly enough.
I'm not suggesting that commonly available work is glamorous but, with a bit of forward planning, you could do OK. For example, taking a short barista and hospitality course before you leave the UK could be worthwhile. The ability to make a coffee that didn't require a couple more passes through the horse would instantly distinguish you from most Perth operators
. An example at the less desirable, but maybe more lucrative, end of the scale came my way the other day in the form of a Scots working holiday maker in a crew repairing my storm damaged fence. Hard work, no doubt, but it is there. It's undoubtedly more restricted in the regional centres but don't get put off by raw statistics - a lot of people in the sample group are effectively unemployable (just like the UK) and the whole point of being young and ambitious is to believe that the stats don't apply to you! For example, I recall an interesting conversation with the LAME at Bunbury about his attempts to employ a reliable junior gofer. Despite a theoretically large pool, it proved just about impossible.
So by all means do some homework and preparation but no need to believe you can't do it if you want it badly enough.
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Tecman - Many thanks for the information I will look into a Barista course here in the UK if it will put me ahead of other personal applying for jobs.
I appreciate all the advice & have done many calculations and still don't see why it isn't achievable with dedication & hard work.
Having a look on SEEK etc I have come across numerous "casual" jobs for people like myself on WHV (Kitchen Hand - I have 1 & 1/2 Years Exp, Bar Work & Fruit Picking) being the most common.
As for accommodation you can score very decent flat shares or even stay for free in a hostel/family if you muck in and help out for 10-15 hours a week.
As I have said before I do appreciate all the advice but it's something I want to have a go at and at least say I tried. If it doesn't work out it will still be a great year spent away and i'll no doubt make friends for life.
Greg
I appreciate all the advice & have done many calculations and still don't see why it isn't achievable with dedication & hard work.
Having a look on SEEK etc I have come across numerous "casual" jobs for people like myself on WHV (Kitchen Hand - I have 1 & 1/2 Years Exp, Bar Work & Fruit Picking) being the most common.
As for accommodation you can score very decent flat shares or even stay for free in a hostel/family if you muck in and help out for 10-15 hours a week.
As I have said before I do appreciate all the advice but it's something I want to have a go at and at least say I tried. If it doesn't work out it will still be a great year spent away and i'll no doubt make friends for life.
Greg
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Awqward.....I can't see anywhere I have put Australia down in my post
Stone the Crows Tossas (or should that be Port?
)...I was referring to Pontius...and the fact that he was even more derisive of Australian bureaucracy than I had been in a previous thread in which you accused me of being a disgruntled foreigner! I do not disagree or have any issues with either yours or Pontius' views on the subject below...(or walkindude or tecman for that matter!).....
And I should add that I greatly admire Greg's determination and tenacity....and I think Tecman has a good point....casual work in WA is probably easier as a result of the mining boom
I might also add that my 17yo son has flying aspirations and has logged ca. 12 hours here in Aberdeen....he is leaving to go to Sydney in a month with the aim of casual work and continuing his flying. He has the advantage of an Aussie passport (in that he is not restricted to casual work) but the disadvantage of not being18...I have tried to convince him to go to Perth but is keener on Sydney (perhaps more inspired by his Sydney based QF 747 Capt uncle)....he has family in both places....but he could certainly take a leaf out of Greg's book....my wife and I are doing the legwork for our son....Greg is clearly ver motivated and has the right attitude to make it in aviation
AQ
Stone the Crows Tossas (or should that be Port?
)...I was referring to Pontius...and the fact that he was even more derisive of Australian bureaucracy than I had been in a previous thread in which you accused me of being a disgruntled foreigner! I do not disagree or have any issues with either yours or Pontius' views on the subject below...(or walkindude or tecman for that matter!).....And I should add that I greatly admire Greg's determination and tenacity....and I think Tecman has a good point....casual work in WA is probably easier as a result of the mining boom
I might also add that my 17yo son has flying aspirations and has logged ca. 12 hours here in Aberdeen....he is leaving to go to Sydney in a month with the aim of casual work and continuing his flying. He has the advantage of an Aussie passport (in that he is not restricted to casual work) but the disadvantage of not being18...I have tried to convince him to go to Perth but is keener on Sydney (perhaps more inspired by his Sydney based QF 747 Capt uncle)....he has family in both places....but he could certainly take a leaf out of Greg's book....my wife and I are doing the legwork for our son....Greg is clearly ver motivated and has the right attitude to make it in aviation
AQ
Last edited by awqward; 3rd Feb 2013 at 13:43.
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Many thanks AQ for the Kind words wish your young lad all the best.
Could anyone advice If I would be able to use the study books I have in the UK (AFE Jeremy M Pratt) or if I would need to purchase the Australian version.
Don't really want to be spending money on study material that I don't really need.
I'd like to start reading up on my AFE Books because i'm a bit out of touch having not flown or looked at a book in two years.
Make it easier to start studying for the BAK exam when I am out there.
If I will need to buy the Australian study books will it hurt to start studying some of the AFE books in the UK.
Many thanks,
Greg
Could anyone advice If I would be able to use the study books I have in the UK (AFE Jeremy M Pratt) or if I would need to purchase the Australian version.
Don't really want to be spending money on study material that I don't really need.
I'd like to start reading up on my AFE Books because i'm a bit out of touch having not flown or looked at a book in two years.
Make it easier to start studying for the BAK exam when I am out there.
If I will need to buy the Australian study books will it hurt to start studying some of the AFE books in the UK.
Many thanks,
Greg
Last edited by 09GregRoy; 5th Feb 2013 at 13:33.
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Greg,
The other guys may be able to offer you more in a way of flight school knowledge etc etc however I can give you some real and recent info on the visa and working situation here in Perth. So long as you do your three months I have not heard of 417visa extensions being declined, the six month thing does ring true as do the comments about finding a decent job as people are put off by your 6 month limitation.
Rent can be relatively high depending on how far out you live and many jobs like you to have a car (ease to get around - obviously) but what I have found is that with little experience and just some enthusiasm you can get a labouring job, driving etc which will pay reasonable well ($22-25ph). You can do this for six months no problem in the city. Should you need to then go and do you regional work there are plenty of places just outside Perth where you can do that and still have a local airfield. Alternatively you could head elsewhere to do this. As the guys have said above most towns have an aero club (I did my regional work in S.A, local club was naracoorte).
Possibilities are always there, you just have to work for them! Good luck
The other guys may be able to offer you more in a way of flight school knowledge etc etc however I can give you some real and recent info on the visa and working situation here in Perth. So long as you do your three months I have not heard of 417visa extensions being declined, the six month thing does ring true as do the comments about finding a decent job as people are put off by your 6 month limitation.
Rent can be relatively high depending on how far out you live and many jobs like you to have a car (ease to get around - obviously) but what I have found is that with little experience and just some enthusiasm you can get a labouring job, driving etc which will pay reasonable well ($22-25ph). You can do this for six months no problem in the city. Should you need to then go and do you regional work there are plenty of places just outside Perth where you can do that and still have a local airfield. Alternatively you could head elsewhere to do this. As the guys have said above most towns have an aero club (I did my regional work in S.A, local club was naracoorte).
Possibilities are always there, you just have to work for them! Good luck
