Australian Flight Schools?!?

[virginia88]

I've read a ton of bad news about australian wings academy, and have been directed away from basair (which looked like the most affordable flight school ive seen in australia yet). So can anybody give me advice on which flight school to go to in australia then, because i cant seem to get any straight up advice from anybody and its frustrating as hell.

Any elaboration on why basair is so bad?! because i can't seem to find too much wrong with it, apart from them expecting you to pay for all your landing fees, exam fees etc ($6.5K) straight up - when u dont even sit most of your exams untill the end. And when i asked them if i could pay those fees 'as you go' they refused and said there was absolutely NO WAY. seemed abit suss that they relied on that fee straight up so heavily.

any advice would be awesome,

cheers!

[go_soaring]

Basair = sasuage factory as far as I can tell. I would try and find a place that is friendly and personal, whom also operates a charter company.

Queensland Aviation Services in Caloundra did what I thought was a supurb job on my CMEIR (from zero hrs to the end). They used to operate out of a donga, though that suited me and my personality. If you're looking for something that is more like a dentist surgery and pretty, then try Fogarty's Aviation Academy in Maroochydore, they were recommended to me by the QAS mob.

I've heard good things about Johnson Aviation at Port Macquarie, especially their CIR training.

Best of luck,
go_soaring! instead

[Jazzy78910]

apart from them expecting you to pay for all your landing fees, exam fees etc ($6.5K) straight up - when u dont even sit most of your exams untill the end.

I have no experience with this school, but think about the comment you just made: If you've committed money to them for services that will be used at the END of your training, you've pretty much signed a contract to complete your training with them, regardless of how pear-shaped it may go along the way.

Well it's that, or walk away minus your $6.5K as they sure as hell won't give it back to you if you decide there is a different school more suited to your needs...

My trainer of choice is Redcliffe Aero - personal approach and very professional and stringent training. All the planes, all the endo's, all the ratings and an in-house flight examiner for your tests.

[virginia88]

Thanks for the advice guys. and definately NOT going to basair. I just heard about the Royal Victorian Aero Club through a friend actualy and they dont look too bad. Big school and alot more support as an australian because they are funded by the RAAF, including scholarships for australian citizens too. which is alot more then what i've heard of other schools. Wings is all air asia students based, and then theres another school in melbourne thats all chinese based. and the new one in gunnedah (which call themselves australia asia flight training) is actualy wings academy. would u believe it?! their reputation is THAT bad that they actualy changed their name - despite their banners outside the building initially saying 'wings academy opening soon'.

But i'll look into redcliff too.
Thanks again =)

[redsnail]

I went to Liverpool Flying School when it was at Hoxton Park (RIP ) but they are now at Camden, outside of Sydney.

They are well worth talking to. No flashy jet promises, just good solid training.

I have also heard good things about Johnson Aviation in Port Macquarie. It's a great place to spend some time at.

[sea_shaw]

Gudday Virginia88, looks like you have had a few good options thrown your way but if your keen to stay at YSBK, have a look at Sydney Aviation College, They're a good personal one on one bunch who are able to take you from 0 hrs to MECIR with their own ATO & all this with more, how about multi crew training in an A320 fixed base sim taboot and theyre just around the corner from Basair. Worth a look

[Joelogan]

Jandakot in Perth has some great flight schools, RACWA and Minovation spring to mind. Great weather too, so lots of flying, but also a lot of traffic around...

Have you considered RA-Aus? If you are starting from the ground up, you can get a high perf RA-Aus certification + nav for approx $4000, and one hundred hours can be counted towards a CPL.

[mohammad]

Virginia88:
Drop in to Australian Wings Academy while you are on the gold coast and you will know all the reviews that have been posted on this forum is true. You will have a laugh at the price they give you approx 90K and without the hidden cost behind it, and you will have to self study all the commercial theory since there is no one there that is experienced enough.

[Jerry Lee]

Go to Moorabbin Flying Services in Melbourne

[Bummus]

AAA - Archy?

I've enrolled at Airline Acad of Aust @ Archy....anyone got any opinions? I went to a few schools and with its affiliation with Griffith Uni and Qantas I felt it was a honest school.

[nastyevil110]

Why Australia i have been shouting and screaming its not a good place for training very expensive and very bad reputation you spent nearly $100,000 for the training go to USA or SA or Spain is a good place for training and value for money.....Even some Philipino Schools are better than australian get it done in philipines cheaper and better than australian...

[MakeItHappenCaptain]

shouting and screaming its not a good place for training very expensive and very bad reputation

Oh yes, that reputation must be the reason why so many people come to Australia.

Even some Philipino Schools are better than australian get it done in philipines cheaper and better than australian...

SO THAT'S WHY I'M SEEING SO MANY PHILLIPINES RATED PILOTS FLYING INTERNATIONALLY?
I am sure any reputable operator including internationally would prefer to see an Australian qualification on your resume. Maybe cheaper due to a lower standard of English spelling and grammar?

Here's a quote to remember....
Pay peanuts and you will get monkeys.

[Dakota Driver]

Have a look at the Bunbury Flying School. No up front fees, some accomadation and a great place to be