Australia: Training, Licence Conversion, Job Prospects
Join Date: May 2001
Location: queensland australia
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one of mike beckers previous posts thanks me and some others for their support for him over some the contents of this thread.
a few years ago i supported mike, firstly with casa when he could not substantiate his flying hours as his log book was "burnt in a fire" when he was in png. then i employed him as a grade two instructor and got him to grade one.
that was a few years ago and a lot of air has passed over the disc since then.
i have not, as his posts suggests supported him by mail, email, telephone, semaphore, smoke signals or even mirrors over events on this forum. i am whithin a hundred metres of him nearly every day and i don't even wave.
it worries me greatly that a person who has gone out of his way to make life difficult for me in the past would use my name to garner some form of relief. it beats me.
i have, hanging on the wall of my office for all to see, a restraining order that was placed on me by the court a few years ago courtesy of "captain mike". i relieved my pent up emotions.
i laugh, i drink rum (and red) and let the world turn and as you can probably work out i don't hold stock in becker helicopters.
graeme
a few years ago i supported mike, firstly with casa when he could not substantiate his flying hours as his log book was "burnt in a fire" when he was in png. then i employed him as a grade two instructor and got him to grade one.
that was a few years ago and a lot of air has passed over the disc since then.
i have not, as his posts suggests supported him by mail, email, telephone, semaphore, smoke signals or even mirrors over events on this forum. i am whithin a hundred metres of him nearly every day and i don't even wave.
it worries me greatly that a person who has gone out of his way to make life difficult for me in the past would use my name to garner some form of relief. it beats me.
i have, hanging on the wall of my office for all to see, a restraining order that was placed on me by the court a few years ago courtesy of "captain mike". i relieved my pent up emotions.
i laugh, i drink rum (and red) and let the world turn and as you can probably work out i don't hold stock in becker helicopters.
graeme
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Queensland, Australia
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"Becker Bashing...."
I got directed to this "thread" in an email from a mate this morning........... wow !!!!
If some of you folk spent less time writing hate mail, and a bit more doing/promoting what you profess to enjoy then we would live in an even better place than we do already.....
.....the South of France isn't too bad either !!
Jayfer
(NB. New email address in my details for those who don't know it)
If some of you folk spent less time writing hate mail, and a bit more doing/promoting what you profess to enjoy then we would live in an even better place than we do already.....
.....the South of France isn't too bad either !!
Jayfer
(NB. New email address in my details for those who don't know it)
Join Date: Mar 2000
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Is that it?
Or did you mean to say something useful and hit the 'submit' key by mistake?
Your first post since November 2001, only seven previous posts in total - and all but one of those were asking if anyone could help you find a job in the Middle or Far East.
Now, what were you saying about "a bit more doing/promoting"?
Isn't it a good thing we've got lots of other busy enthusiastic Oz pilots here, not only promoting their industry but also finding time to answer questions from people interested in training or working in ............ Australia.
Or did you mean to say something useful and hit the 'submit' key by mistake?
Your first post since November 2001, only seven previous posts in total - and all but one of those were asking if anyone could help you find a job in the Middle or Far East.
Now, what were you saying about "a bit more doing/promoting"?
Isn't it a good thing we've got lots of other busy enthusiastic Oz pilots here, not only promoting their industry but also finding time to answer questions from people interested in training or working in ............ Australia.
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Thanks for that, a really "moderate " response!!
Don't flatter yourself Heliport, "Rotorheads" is not the only (or most important) source of rotary wing information in the industry.
....lets chat again in September '06 at my current striking rate.
Sincerely,
Jayfer
Don't flatter yourself Heliport, "Rotorheads" is not the only (or most important) source of rotary wing information in the industry.
....lets chat again in September '06 at my current striking rate.
Sincerely,
Jayfer
JOBS FOR OUR PILOTS
I would like to thank the Moderator for his astute observations about my efforts in pouring oil on troubled waters, caused by a previous run of really beyond the limit posts, many which have thankfully been removed. In regards to the flack the HAA has had in the past, I hope these few words to the younger pilots will be a boost and hopefully you will realise that people do care about your futures.
While I am the President of the HAA, (we are all volunteers), I will continue to promote the things I love dearly; the helicopter community. Before I proceed; and in regards to the sad postings over the past week. I must suggest people are people and there will always be differences and brawls. Fights, brawls and sniping are like pigeon **** on an aerofoil – just drag. But if we can only rise above this crap and see what is happening out there, then my desire for the younger pilots to get a better life may be a dream come true for myself and our supporters. Today, the trend is that our new members are coming from the younger ranks, which is a healthy sign. The mustering pilots have decided, as we were monitoring the blade problems on their behalf, that maybe we deserve a second look.
So what about the guy looking for a job, or a better job? Australia and New Zealand has 1,800 helicopters, about 200 more helicopters than Canada. To be fair, the Canadians have over double the money invested in their fleet which tends to be turbine or heavy turbine. But we fly 35% more hours, due to the 400 machines tied up in mustering or training. The Kiwis have a heap of single engine turbines, fewer pistons and twins. Kiwis probably have as much invested in helicopters as Australia; due to our large light piston fleet in Australia. Our rate of growth is double the respective GDP. Aeroplane guys are going backwards with only half the GDP growth. Aeroplane twins down 140% in ten years; angry palm trees twins up by 400% in this region in the same time.
I hope the young guys will observe that Australia now has 34 rescue bases and NZ 17! Oddly enough there is a shortage of drivers at the top end of the career ladder. “What about the low hour graduates”, critics will say with plenty of justification. Well the HAA is working with AOPA’s Bill Hamilton to get a handle on the fact that low hour drivers do not have any more prangs than the high hour “nut behind the wheel”. If we can find enough evidence, we hope to convince the aviation insurance providers to give the younger guys a go and lift the outdated rules about hours needed for employment.
So what is the HAA meddling with at present? In November the Australasian SAR/EMS operators met at Newcastle to discuss the recent deaths and near misses at night. About 65 turned up to the HAA event. Many were hurting having not long come from funerals. The Kiwis in particular wanted to meet again and discuss wider issues and thus an HAA Industry Conference was mooted and will be held 17-21 May at Sea World. This gathering in three sessions, will tie up the loose ends about night ops and make new recommendations, etc; have a good look at SAR/EMS issues, such as fire fighting and hoist cable failures and then the let tourist people have their first regional meeting. We gotta start somewhere and now is as good a time as ever!
As an aside, and as a scary observation, the Yanks have killed nine in three EMS night accidents since January. So we really need to take a deep breath and look at ourselves also. We must not scare away the medical system; otherwise patients will be carted around in taxis. And aircrew will be serving beer or waiting on tables.
But we must also look at the Asian expansion and be at Heli-Asia 2004. The HAA President has been appointed the civil chairperson of the civil workshops and in return the organisers have allowed the HAA space to promote our members. Why bother, some dimwits will say? Well China is growing at 12% pa and they need 1,100 emergency service machines by 2013. Now that the Chinese have freed up airspace and profits going out of the country, sales of 300 per year over ten years are now predicted. Well, before you reach for the TV remote and say this is all boring garbage, being beyond your intellectual capability, remember that China has only 130 civil helicopters at present and a very aged military fleet of about 600. All this for a population of one billion!!
Who is going to make and service and market these machines? What about the training of aircrew, ground crew and managers. Look at the enormous overseas facilities now established in this region for their airline trainees. Anyhow, the HAA is going to be there hooting and hollering for our members! My personal frustration are those the rabbits who take all the benefits and give nothing and then whinge! Geez a non-voting membership is only AUD$49.50. You probably spend more on a Friday night with your partner at a “cheap and cheerful” eating place. Why not give the HAA one feed a year. Maybe they can make things better for you so you can move closer to town and eat at a better eating establishment.
To really stretch the minds of the disbelievers, we have been offered a major role in the Australian Air Show 2005. It is proposed that the theme will not be airlines, military fast jets or helicopters for the grunts. In 2005 the Air Show will have civil helicopters as the drawcard. The HAA has leapt at this opportunity and will start work very soon on making this event a success. More helicopter sales means more jobs and more jobs means more training, more training means more instructors, more sales means more engineers, etc.
One last thought. We need to provide new pilots in number equivalent to 15% of the existing pilot roster each year. Why? Retirement, sickness, people moving to another field, etc, etc.. Also present in Australasia is the fortunate fact that our industry is growing at 7% pa. From 600 helicopters or so ten years ago to 1,200 machines now!
Now one last piece of the job jigsaw. A quiz question if you like. The average age of the industry pilot is 48 years, according to CASA. Now it should be 40 years. Thus a heap of old farts are wandering into retirement in the next decade when we are also expanding! Shortages will occur, unless the terrorists dream up some way of scaring away the tourist industry which is tagged as the next growth area.
Now an even worse figure is being tossed around. Some clown posing as a politician years ago said we don’t need apprentices, let’s send them all to university or technical college. So what is this big issue? The average age of an engineer is about 54 years, some says 57 years, depends on what report you read.
Today, engineers are being paid more than pilots in some companies and chief engineers can name their own price. Usually, more than the Chief Pilot. So maybe some of you drivers should look at going down the dual qualification road. At least you will never starve.
Food for thought??
I am heading off for a few weeks so keep your eye on the skid ball and rotor in the green,
Rob Rich
President
HAA
PS: As mentioned before, if you need any directories of OZ, NZ and PNG we can provide them for you. As an example, there are 1,200 helos in OZ used by 582 owners, including 264 commercial companies. Kiwis are about half of these. We have ‘em too if you need these also.
While I am the President of the HAA, (we are all volunteers), I will continue to promote the things I love dearly; the helicopter community. Before I proceed; and in regards to the sad postings over the past week. I must suggest people are people and there will always be differences and brawls. Fights, brawls and sniping are like pigeon **** on an aerofoil – just drag. But if we can only rise above this crap and see what is happening out there, then my desire for the younger pilots to get a better life may be a dream come true for myself and our supporters. Today, the trend is that our new members are coming from the younger ranks, which is a healthy sign. The mustering pilots have decided, as we were monitoring the blade problems on their behalf, that maybe we deserve a second look.
So what about the guy looking for a job, or a better job? Australia and New Zealand has 1,800 helicopters, about 200 more helicopters than Canada. To be fair, the Canadians have over double the money invested in their fleet which tends to be turbine or heavy turbine. But we fly 35% more hours, due to the 400 machines tied up in mustering or training. The Kiwis have a heap of single engine turbines, fewer pistons and twins. Kiwis probably have as much invested in helicopters as Australia; due to our large light piston fleet in Australia. Our rate of growth is double the respective GDP. Aeroplane guys are going backwards with only half the GDP growth. Aeroplane twins down 140% in ten years; angry palm trees twins up by 400% in this region in the same time.
I hope the young guys will observe that Australia now has 34 rescue bases and NZ 17! Oddly enough there is a shortage of drivers at the top end of the career ladder. “What about the low hour graduates”, critics will say with plenty of justification. Well the HAA is working with AOPA’s Bill Hamilton to get a handle on the fact that low hour drivers do not have any more prangs than the high hour “nut behind the wheel”. If we can find enough evidence, we hope to convince the aviation insurance providers to give the younger guys a go and lift the outdated rules about hours needed for employment.
So what is the HAA meddling with at present? In November the Australasian SAR/EMS operators met at Newcastle to discuss the recent deaths and near misses at night. About 65 turned up to the HAA event. Many were hurting having not long come from funerals. The Kiwis in particular wanted to meet again and discuss wider issues and thus an HAA Industry Conference was mooted and will be held 17-21 May at Sea World. This gathering in three sessions, will tie up the loose ends about night ops and make new recommendations, etc; have a good look at SAR/EMS issues, such as fire fighting and hoist cable failures and then the let tourist people have their first regional meeting. We gotta start somewhere and now is as good a time as ever!
As an aside, and as a scary observation, the Yanks have killed nine in three EMS night accidents since January. So we really need to take a deep breath and look at ourselves also. We must not scare away the medical system; otherwise patients will be carted around in taxis. And aircrew will be serving beer or waiting on tables.
But we must also look at the Asian expansion and be at Heli-Asia 2004. The HAA President has been appointed the civil chairperson of the civil workshops and in return the organisers have allowed the HAA space to promote our members. Why bother, some dimwits will say? Well China is growing at 12% pa and they need 1,100 emergency service machines by 2013. Now that the Chinese have freed up airspace and profits going out of the country, sales of 300 per year over ten years are now predicted. Well, before you reach for the TV remote and say this is all boring garbage, being beyond your intellectual capability, remember that China has only 130 civil helicopters at present and a very aged military fleet of about 600. All this for a population of one billion!!
Who is going to make and service and market these machines? What about the training of aircrew, ground crew and managers. Look at the enormous overseas facilities now established in this region for their airline trainees. Anyhow, the HAA is going to be there hooting and hollering for our members! My personal frustration are those the rabbits who take all the benefits and give nothing and then whinge! Geez a non-voting membership is only AUD$49.50. You probably spend more on a Friday night with your partner at a “cheap and cheerful” eating place. Why not give the HAA one feed a year. Maybe they can make things better for you so you can move closer to town and eat at a better eating establishment.
To really stretch the minds of the disbelievers, we have been offered a major role in the Australian Air Show 2005. It is proposed that the theme will not be airlines, military fast jets or helicopters for the grunts. In 2005 the Air Show will have civil helicopters as the drawcard. The HAA has leapt at this opportunity and will start work very soon on making this event a success. More helicopter sales means more jobs and more jobs means more training, more training means more instructors, more sales means more engineers, etc.
One last thought. We need to provide new pilots in number equivalent to 15% of the existing pilot roster each year. Why? Retirement, sickness, people moving to another field, etc, etc.. Also present in Australasia is the fortunate fact that our industry is growing at 7% pa. From 600 helicopters or so ten years ago to 1,200 machines now!
Now one last piece of the job jigsaw. A quiz question if you like. The average age of the industry pilot is 48 years, according to CASA. Now it should be 40 years. Thus a heap of old farts are wandering into retirement in the next decade when we are also expanding! Shortages will occur, unless the terrorists dream up some way of scaring away the tourist industry which is tagged as the next growth area.
Now an even worse figure is being tossed around. Some clown posing as a politician years ago said we don’t need apprentices, let’s send them all to university or technical college. So what is this big issue? The average age of an engineer is about 54 years, some says 57 years, depends on what report you read.
Today, engineers are being paid more than pilots in some companies and chief engineers can name their own price. Usually, more than the Chief Pilot. So maybe some of you drivers should look at going down the dual qualification road. At least you will never starve.
Food for thought??
I am heading off for a few weeks so keep your eye on the skid ball and rotor in the green,
Rob Rich
President
HAA
PS: As mentioned before, if you need any directories of OZ, NZ and PNG we can provide them for you. As an example, there are 1,200 helos in OZ used by 582 owners, including 264 commercial companies. Kiwis are about half of these. We have ‘em too if you need these also.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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With respect, Mr President, you do go on.
Saying the same thing and giving the same stats over and over in different posts isn't the way to impress people. People respect the Oz pilots here because they make good informed posts on all sorts of topics not because they give a sales pitch over and over.
PS
Your previous post was even worse before you or the Mods cut out loads of repetition.
Saying the same thing and giving the same stats over and over in different posts isn't the way to impress people. People respect the Oz pilots here because they make good informed posts on all sorts of topics not because they give a sales pitch over and over.
PS
Your previous post was even worse before you or the Mods cut out loads of repetition.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Dr Mr Rich
I have to agree with Datcon.
If your ramblings truly represent the Australasian helicopter industry it is indeed in a sad and sorry state. If; as I partly know for sure and in any case prefer to believe, it is mostly populated by professional folk, do them a favour and step down, at least in the role as communications chief of HAA.
Yours, in all seriousness.
Dan Coughlan
I have to agree with Datcon.
If your ramblings truly represent the Australasian helicopter industry it is indeed in a sad and sorry state. If; as I partly know for sure and in any case prefer to believe, it is mostly populated by professional folk, do them a favour and step down, at least in the role as communications chief of HAA.
Yours, in all seriousness.
Dan Coughlan
Jobs in OZ
DATCON
Thanks for the feedback. Maybe you could give us a run down on the UK industry and where it is heading? Your trainees would love to hear where they will find work in five years or so?
Rob Rich
Thanks for the feedback. Maybe you could give us a run down on the UK industry and where it is heading? Your trainees would love to hear where they will find work in five years or so?
Rob Rich
Join Date: Jan 2004
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I agree... I live in both countries and would love a rundown on what the UK is doing on assisting low time pilots...I've just read The British Helicopter Advisory Board's "Purpose, Aims and Concerns"
Couldn't find anything there!
Kind regards,
Kopter
(Pilot who has been working in the industry for over 10 years)
Join Date: Feb 2004
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A quote I read today:
"The secret to happiness is making other people think they were the cause of it."
I don't know about you, but this has made me pause and consider several dealings I'm currently involved in, and how I might change them for the better.
I hope that whatever training people are getting, they are coming out with confidence and competence to represent our community to the highest possible standards.
May your skies be clear and your passengers calm!
SLC.
"The secret to happiness is making other people think they were the cause of it."
I don't know about you, but this has made me pause and consider several dealings I'm currently involved in, and how I might change them for the better.
I hope that whatever training people are getting, they are coming out with confidence and competence to represent our community to the highest possible standards.
May your skies be clear and your passengers calm!
SLC.
Join Date: May 2002
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What a load of horse hockey!
Just read all 24 pages of this thread and W A Y back, someone mentioned Xxxxxxxxx Helicopters because of their outstanding safety record.......gotta be a joke(?) This mob now can't get insurance AT ALL because their accident record is so bl**dy shocking. Next I read someone giving Becker the big "thumbs up"....this is the same guy who tags along on student solo flights "just in case the poor sod needs a hand......" Do your homework boys and gals and treat with skemptism ANYTHING written here as half the stuff is from self-serving owner/operators trying to rope in another unwary punter!
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Australia/ N.Zealand
Hey there guys, just curious, is the pay down under comparable with the UK (taking into account different costs of living) and does Australia and/or N.Zealand have free healthcare????
Any other info about living in these two countries would be greatly apprieciated....
Many thanks,
Fatigue.
Any other info about living in these two countries would be greatly apprieciated....
Many thanks,
Fatigue.