Any more additions to this thread.

Autorotate.

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!:mad:

Bit of selective editing eh what?
 

PMs
 

Hey Malfunction Junction check your Private Messages please mate....cheers:ok:

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.

But can you get a work permit r equivalent?

Australia are about to shut the door to pilots getting out there on the points system, they say that there are 14000 out of work pilots , and dont wont anymore at the moment . So look out.

Australia, Is it best to set up your own business or get paid as casual?
 

I have just been offered a job that will give me 4 days a week work. What is the best thing to do, take the job as is or set up my own contract company, what will give me the most tax breaks etc. I have heard that the mustering pilots are doing this all the time (setting up themselves as a business) can anyone tell me how to go about it. Please post the answers here or PM me.
Thanks in advance
anyone got a spare pie!!!

I cant give much advice from the helicopter side of things, but being a tradesman Ive been in and out of this a few times.
The main thing to remember is that to break even as a sole trader/business you need to get around $20/hr more to make it worth your while. As a sole trader you will need to pay you own super, income insurance, workers comp, and public liability. These can add up to a very large amount.
The new setup with BAS statements means that you dont have to file every quater, you can now file yearly if you wish, which means you dont have to spend as much time at home doing accounting. When the GST first came in I was spending near 3hrs per week, just trying to keep in front.
While its true you can write off more as a business, you need to think about how much you will have to write off. For example I could write off materials, tools, travelling, the car, ect...
But you may find that as a pilot you wont have that much to write off.
On the whole, in my opinion, if you arent going to be earning over $60,000 per year, then its just not worth you while.
Im back on wages now, and find it makes my life much simpler. If you have the option I would go with wages.

Jobs in Australia
 

I'm fishing for advice and would be grateful for any help. I am 45, reasonably bored and looking to inject masses of enthusiasm back into life in general. I have a CAA ATPL(H) with around 6000 hours (mostly twin) and would dearly like to emigrate to Oz but unfortunately, I can only get in with an employers sponsorship - So, back to the advice. Is there any demand for pilots like me? or is Australia bursting at the seams with ex mil types or similar?

I would be grateful for any advice and/or email contacts (please feel free to PM)

even with employer sponsorship you will require two out of the last three years flying. (I'm thinking if you're that bored maybe your not???)

Aussie Helicopter Schools
 

Hey everyone
I'm going throught the process of trying to find a helicopter school to get my CPL and make flying a career. Its been hard to find an unbiased opinion about which schools have the better reputation in the industry as flying schools would obvioulsy only give out student contacts which they know love their school.
I was hoping people would be able point me in the right direction in terms of the do's and don'ts for a young player like myself, and suggest any flying schools which have the industries respect and confidence.

ash

Give Mike vanderZypp or Mark Byrnes a call at " The Helicopter Group" Moorabbin Airport 03 9580 7177 ...

:ok: :ok:

Recommend Ron Newman, or in his absence, Mark Slade from Professional Helicopter Services
Moorabbin (03) 9580 7433 :ok:

Try Bankstown Helicopters in Sydney. They are even helpful to Poms.


[email protected]

Becker Helicopters at Maroochydore Airport are maybe worth a look. They use the R22,300 and 47 types and can arrange visa's etc. to overseas students. Apparently they even guarantee you a job at the end, free turbine endorsement on a AS 350D plus a car and 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom beachfront house.

Try Chopperline at caloundra, they must have some of the most experienced instructors in the industry, good ground school too so you can walk in and get the whole package there.

The Helicopter group in Melbourne have a good name too, so does PHS down there. The advantage you might have with them is that they can sometimes give you work at the end of your training because they both have tourist scenic flights out near the Rock/kings canyon..

I dont think Becker Helicopters has any sort of work programme after your training but I dont think anyone can guarantee you a job when you finish and you certainly dont get a FREE turbine endorsement, Dont know who told you that one John!. I do know his students fly around in Helmets and flying suits for whatever reason, Ok the helmet I can understand but the full flying suit in a H300 is a bit much or is it just me.

Anyway good luck there are not many jobs around for low hour helicopter pilots if I were starting out again I would go Fixed wing there appears to be some movement in that area.
Helibloke

If your staying in Melbourne give Mark Slade a call at PHS

Becker school?
I seem to remember some very mixed reports about that place in a previous thread .
You might want to do a search for 'Becker' and find the thread.

I think John’s comments might have been just a little bit sarcastic.

Don't believe any promises of "work experience" or a job or free stuff. Instead of getting the names of students picked by the school, ask for the names of the last 5 or so students to get a licence and/or a job. (could be a problem with the privacy laws)

You aren’t locked into your choice of school - if you have problems and the school wont/can’t do anything about it, change schools. Don’t pre-pay for the whole course.