Australia: Training, Licence Conversion, Job Prospects
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Australia
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HelosRfun,
I'm in the middle of converting my FAA commercial to Aussie commerical. I've done the written test on air law which is open book. It's a little more difficult than FAA written as you have to find all the relevant info in 4 or 5 publications as opposed to being well up on your FAR/AIM. Shouldn't be a real problem though as I managed to pass!
As for the flying part, I haven't done it yet but understand that it is similar to an FAA commercial checkride, so also not too bad. The medical is a little more stringent than US class 2, ecg, blood test (for cholesterol) etc. is required, but I passed that too.
Good luck, and yes, Aus is a good place to live <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
I'm in the middle of converting my FAA commercial to Aussie commerical. I've done the written test on air law which is open book. It's a little more difficult than FAA written as you have to find all the relevant info in 4 or 5 publications as opposed to being well up on your FAR/AIM. Shouldn't be a real problem though as I managed to pass!
As for the flying part, I haven't done it yet but understand that it is similar to an FAA commercial checkride, so also not too bad. The medical is a little more stringent than US class 2, ecg, blood test (for cholesterol) etc. is required, but I passed that too.
Good luck, and yes, Aus is a good place to live <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Join Date: Oct 2001
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THANKS ALL!
Sounds like a nice enough place. Although, at 47% tax rate + the add ons, I don't know if I can AFFORD to work there, especially considering the Aussie $$$ is now at .50 cents U.S.????Hmmmm.... .Syd_Rapac, you are close! It is a military contract position.
Sounds like a nice enough place. Although, at 47% tax rate + the add ons, I don't know if I can AFFORD to work there, especially considering the Aussie $$$ is now at .50 cents U.S.????Hmmmm.... .Syd_Rapac, you are close! It is a military contract position.
Join Date: Jul 2001
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Helos,
I'm at the establishment that I think you are refering to. Drop me an email and I'll reply with whatever I can help you with.
[email protected]
I'm at the establishment that I think you are refering to. Drop me an email and I'll reply with whatever I can help you with.
[email protected]
CHC & Bristow in Australia
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Check the weekly Jobs Update page of the Australian Federation of Air Pilots website www.afap.org.au
In the last six months Bristows have advertised for co-pilots at least twice.
As for getting noticed, I know absolutely nothing about the company culture or personalities, so this is general advice. Get your resume together (one page, licenses and flight time near the top), then call and ask to speak with the Chief Pilot. Explain that you'll be visiting in the vicinity shortly, interested in working for them in the future, and could you come in for a chat at his convenience? Most CPs will try and give you some time. Then it's up to you to make a good impression. Now at least you'll be a personality to him rather than a sheet of paper.
Of course, having a personal recommendation from a serving pilot will make a huge difference.
Good luck!
In the last six months Bristows have advertised for co-pilots at least twice.
As for getting noticed, I know absolutely nothing about the company culture or personalities, so this is general advice. Get your resume together (one page, licenses and flight time near the top), then call and ask to speak with the Chief Pilot. Explain that you'll be visiting in the vicinity shortly, interested in working for them in the future, and could you come in for a chat at his convenience? Most CPs will try and give you some time. Then it's up to you to make a good impression. Now at least you'll be a personality to him rather than a sheet of paper.
Of course, having a personal recommendation from a serving pilot will make a huge difference.
Good luck!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Australia
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G'day Silicone,
Agree with both Buitenzorg and Nigel (on D & G), have applied to both myself to no avail. I have found out a few things myself by talking to guys in both companies.
Bristows have advertised in Friday's "Australian" (you should be able to get a copy in Kununurra on Saturdays) a couple of times this year. Apart from the advertised requirements of ATPL(H) subjects, IREX pass, 500hrs PIC minimum and NVFR, if you are over 30 yrs old or have much over 1000hrs, forget it!! You are not deemed to be cojoe material in their books.
As for CHC Australia, they employed a bunch of cojoes this year also, but did so from within and from their resume file I believe. Their requirements are pretty much the same, but they are not as ageist (?) as Bristows and have the option of putting you into one of their singles (B206B's out at Moomba, B206L's around the traps) for a while to build PIC time to enable you to fulfil client requirements before moving into the command seat of a twin. Bristows cojoes remain cojoes for the duration of their employment! Probably worth getting into CHC's resume file if that's the way you want to go.
Helicopters Australia recently advertised for copilots for their ESSO contract, but I believe they have filled the available positions.
Feel free to drop me an email if you need any more info.
Cheers,
MPT
PS Wouldn't mind a B206 or AS350 job myself (or a B47, or a H300 or a .......)
Agree with both Buitenzorg and Nigel (on D & G), have applied to both myself to no avail. I have found out a few things myself by talking to guys in both companies.
Bristows have advertised in Friday's "Australian" (you should be able to get a copy in Kununurra on Saturdays) a couple of times this year. Apart from the advertised requirements of ATPL(H) subjects, IREX pass, 500hrs PIC minimum and NVFR, if you are over 30 yrs old or have much over 1000hrs, forget it!! You are not deemed to be cojoe material in their books.
As for CHC Australia, they employed a bunch of cojoes this year also, but did so from within and from their resume file I believe. Their requirements are pretty much the same, but they are not as ageist (?) as Bristows and have the option of putting you into one of their singles (B206B's out at Moomba, B206L's around the traps) for a while to build PIC time to enable you to fulfil client requirements before moving into the command seat of a twin. Bristows cojoes remain cojoes for the duration of their employment! Probably worth getting into CHC's resume file if that's the way you want to go.
Helicopters Australia recently advertised for copilots for their ESSO contract, but I believe they have filled the available positions.
Feel free to drop me an email if you need any more info.
Cheers,
MPT
PS Wouldn't mind a B206 or AS350 job myself (or a B47, or a H300 or a .......)
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Australia
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G'day again Silicone,
Check out today's "Australian", Bristow's looking again. If you can't access the paper, check out Windy's post on D & G for contact details. Good luck.
Cheers,
MPT
Check out today's "Australian", Bristow's looking again. If you can't access the paper, check out Windy's post on D & G for contact details. Good luck.
Cheers,
MPT
Join Date: Jun 2002
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Recognition of Australian CPL H
Hi There!!!!!
Does anyone know which contries recognizes Aus CPL H, Im planning to go down under to train, the syllabus they offer matches 100% the one required by JAA, I know there will be some trouble ahead converting it in to a JAA, but how difficult is it.
And where a part from Aus whit my CPL H (Whit JAA Requirements) will they accept it as it is Asia????? NZ?????
Last would it be easier to convert in to FAA compared JAA.
Any answers would be a great help!!!!!
Thanx
Does anyone know which contries recognizes Aus CPL H, Im planning to go down under to train, the syllabus they offer matches 100% the one required by JAA, I know there will be some trouble ahead converting it in to a JAA, but how difficult is it.
And where a part from Aus whit my CPL H (Whit JAA Requirements) will they accept it as it is Asia????? NZ?????
Last would it be easier to convert in to FAA compared JAA.
Any answers would be a great help!!!!!
Thanx
Join Date: Feb 2001
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Stussy,
the easiest conversion is to NZ-- produce the relevant documents showing you hold a Aus CPL (H), valid medical and ID, then fill in a form hand over approx $50............done.
Most other conversions FAA, Canadian etc.........will require you complete a number of flight hrs + check ride(coversion test) and at least a law exam.
You're right in that the JAR seems to require the most effort, $ and time. Maybe they don't want foreign pilots flying there????
Nah.....couldn't be that
the easiest conversion is to NZ-- produce the relevant documents showing you hold a Aus CPL (H), valid medical and ID, then fill in a form hand over approx $50............done.
Most other conversions FAA, Canadian etc.........will require you complete a number of flight hrs + check ride(coversion test) and at least a law exam.
You're right in that the JAR seems to require the most effort, $ and time. Maybe they don't want foreign pilots flying there????
Nah.....couldn't be that
Join Date: Jun 1999
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Stussy,
Most Far East and Middle East countries will accept an Australian licence with little more than an Air Law exam. More important than the licence though will be hours, post Commercial licence and how you hope to attain them. The easiest way to find individual conversion requirements would be to contact the local Aviation Authorities in the country you are considering for better information. Run a search and then email for requirements.
All countries that will allow easy conversions from other licences are normally bound by the companies operating there that are looking for experienced people to fill vacanies. So as a result they are looking for people with thousands of hours.
If your intention is to train cheaply and immediately return to the UK for employment then ultimately it will take longer and cost more. As wierd as it sounds, with a bare licence only, a fair amount of extra training will be required to put you into that countries ways. If your intention is to go to a country where you are authorized to work and to gain your first foothold of the industry then collect licences as you travel the world working then this is possible.
Don't go to a country to gain their licence without work authorization then hope to jump into a position in another country as that won't happen and will cost you more in time and money.
If you are fixed in your goal of training abroad, my advice would be to decide which country you would like to train in (Australia, US, Canada or South Africa) gain work authorization and expect to fly there for a minimum of 1000 hours or if possible to ATPL(H) level before you even thought about converting to another licence.
JAA currently doesn't give any dispensation to holders of foreign licences (but this could change) so expect to have to do all JAA exams if your ultimate goal is to return to the UK. If this is the same sylabus as Australia maybe a better solution is to gain the UK helicopter exams (good for three years from completion of last exam) before you head off to Australia leaving only a flight test when you return to the UK with your 1000 hours.
Hopefully that helps.....
PS Don't know if the Aussie market for newly qualified helicopter pilots is particularly strong.... Maybe that is another question you should ask.
Most Far East and Middle East countries will accept an Australian licence with little more than an Air Law exam. More important than the licence though will be hours, post Commercial licence and how you hope to attain them. The easiest way to find individual conversion requirements would be to contact the local Aviation Authorities in the country you are considering for better information. Run a search and then email for requirements.
All countries that will allow easy conversions from other licences are normally bound by the companies operating there that are looking for experienced people to fill vacanies. So as a result they are looking for people with thousands of hours.
If your intention is to train cheaply and immediately return to the UK for employment then ultimately it will take longer and cost more. As wierd as it sounds, with a bare licence only, a fair amount of extra training will be required to put you into that countries ways. If your intention is to go to a country where you are authorized to work and to gain your first foothold of the industry then collect licences as you travel the world working then this is possible.
Don't go to a country to gain their licence without work authorization then hope to jump into a position in another country as that won't happen and will cost you more in time and money.
If you are fixed in your goal of training abroad, my advice would be to decide which country you would like to train in (Australia, US, Canada or South Africa) gain work authorization and expect to fly there for a minimum of 1000 hours or if possible to ATPL(H) level before you even thought about converting to another licence.
JAA currently doesn't give any dispensation to holders of foreign licences (but this could change) so expect to have to do all JAA exams if your ultimate goal is to return to the UK. If this is the same sylabus as Australia maybe a better solution is to gain the UK helicopter exams (good for three years from completion of last exam) before you head off to Australia leaving only a flight test when you return to the UK with your 1000 hours.
Hopefully that helps.....
PS Don't know if the Aussie market for newly qualified helicopter pilots is particularly strong.... Maybe that is another question you should ask.
Hi Stusssy,
You say the Aussie syllabus matches 100% to the JAA one, but the Aussie CPL(H) is only at most, 125hrs and that is without a fixed wing PPL.If you have a PPL it drops to 70hrs.
The JAA requires from memory is 155hrs before you can do the 30hr JAA course which will include Instrument & Night time.Then of course the written subjects and from what I understand they are no mean feat themselves.
In my opinion after coming to Aus myself(5 Years ago) to train I would go for the Jaa option probably via the states.This would give you more chances of working around the world purley on the basis that the JAA licence is probably the most easily converted to other licences.
Good luck with your choices,
Nick
You say the Aussie syllabus matches 100% to the JAA one, but the Aussie CPL(H) is only at most, 125hrs and that is without a fixed wing PPL.If you have a PPL it drops to 70hrs.
The JAA requires from memory is 155hrs before you can do the 30hr JAA course which will include Instrument & Night time.Then of course the written subjects and from what I understand they are no mean feat themselves.
In my opinion after coming to Aus myself(5 Years ago) to train I would go for the Jaa option probably via the states.This would give you more chances of working around the world purley on the basis that the JAA licence is probably the most easily converted to other licences.
Good luck with your choices,
Nick
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Hi Stusssy,
I'm in the same boat as you, at the mo.
As of yet no one on Australia can offer a JAA CPL(H) course.
All they can do is sell you glorified hour building, by inventing some sort of syllabus around JAR FCL2. (Which is freely available at http://www.jaa.nl/section1/jars/35/53/355313/355313.pdf)
Any school anywhere can do that.
Your options are...
Do your JAA in Blighty (or other member state) - Total 135 hrs cost about 50kgbp
Do your JAA in USA - Total 135 hrs cost about 30kgbp
Do any other ICAO CPL (or PPL) (i.e CASA) and build it to 155hours
Then do the 35hr modular course in Blighty or USA.
- Total 185 hrs cost about 35kgbp
I've mailed you also with some further detail.
Cheers,
Aro.
I'm in the same boat as you, at the mo.
As of yet no one on Australia can offer a JAA CPL(H) course.
All they can do is sell you glorified hour building, by inventing some sort of syllabus around JAR FCL2. (Which is freely available at http://www.jaa.nl/section1/jars/35/53/355313/355313.pdf)
Any school anywhere can do that.
Your options are...
Do your JAA in Blighty (or other member state) - Total 135 hrs cost about 50kgbp
Do your JAA in USA - Total 135 hrs cost about 30kgbp
Do any other ICAO CPL (or PPL) (i.e CASA) and build it to 155hours
Then do the 35hr modular course in Blighty or USA.
- Total 185 hrs cost about 35kgbp
I've mailed you also with some further detail.
Cheers,
Aro.
Join Date: May 2001
Location: queensland australia
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hi mikehuk
airwork helicopters in queensland are a good start. they are internationally accredited for overseas students and know all the ins and outs of the industry.
just add .com.au and contact them. night and instrument are available and you get instructors with a lot of time on both. ian paul is the man to contact.
be careful of the schools who intimate they are jar compliant. they don't exist in australia.
try them.
airwork helicopters in queensland are a good start. they are internationally accredited for overseas students and know all the ins and outs of the industry.
just add .com.au and contact them. night and instrument are available and you get instructors with a lot of time on both. ian paul is the man to contact.
be careful of the schools who intimate they are jar compliant. they don't exist in australia.
try them.
CPL H
Check out the Professional Helicopter Services website at www.phs.com.au , it will give you a pretty good overview of the company, its training and job prospects after completing your Cpl(H). They will advise you on the all important visa requirements and necessary paperwork etc. They have employed 5 students since Dec 01 in their tourist operation in the Northern Territory flying B206, B206L and H500. It is worth checking out which other schools will offer a real job prospect and which will just say that they will help you in the search for work. With nearly 3 dollars to the pound its a great time to do it! 
Mike,
Another option is NZL.
They have superb training in Mountainous environment and can do all the IFR and NVFR you want.
There are excellent instructors in the north island with more than 10000hrs of bush and longline experience to make you come up to speed fast. In the bottom of the south island there are a couple of great schools teaching guys in all terrain up to and over 10K.
You will also find the conversion further in your favor and get more bang for your buck and some guys will also help with accomodation.
Do a search on the net and if you have any probs mail me and I can find some names for you.
PS: Don't get sucked in by the 'real job prospect' line. Of the oodles of guys that go there, a handful get a shot. You will live at the rock on a pittace of a wage doing 150hrs a year and spending all your cash on accomodation. Surf the net and ask others if you think I am being overly negative. Been there done that.
Another option is NZL.
They have superb training in Mountainous environment and can do all the IFR and NVFR you want.
There are excellent instructors in the north island with more than 10000hrs of bush and longline experience to make you come up to speed fast. In the bottom of the south island there are a couple of great schools teaching guys in all terrain up to and over 10K.
You will also find the conversion further in your favor and get more bang for your buck and some guys will also help with accomodation.
Do a search on the net and if you have any probs mail me and I can find some names for you.
PS: Don't get sucked in by the 'real job prospect' line. Of the oodles of guys that go there, a handful get a shot. You will live at the rock on a pittace of a wage doing 150hrs a year and spending all your cash on accomodation. Surf the net and ask others if you think I am being overly negative. Been there done that.
Last edited by Steve76; 16th Sep 2002 at 01:36.
Mike
The accomodation is supplied free, the wage is more than enough to live on, and we average around 350/400 turbine hours per annum which for your first job doesn't sound too bad does it? Only those who are prepared to work hard will get the chance, which is why there are plenty of people ready to knock it.
The accomodation is supplied free, the wage is more than enough to live on, and we average around 350/400 turbine hours per annum which for your first job doesn't sound too bad does it? Only those who are prepared to work hard will get the chance, which is why there are plenty of people ready to knock it.