Flying Schools

Absolutley, either the UNI(3yrs), or TAFE(2yrs), I dont really care, as they are very similar

So if I get a crap Enter Score, I can still get into the TAFE Flying course

[Radi K]

Originally Posted by Lukas Mahoney

So if I get a crap Enter Score, I can still get into the TAFE Flying course

I hope that attitude doesn't relate to both your high school and tertiary/flying studies.

Work hard and get the results - it will be worth it.

30% through the school year, and UNI is still in the running

[Lachlan Hare]

Originally Posted by Lukas Mahoney

Absolutley, either the UNI(3yrs), or TAFE(2yrs), I dont really care, as they are very similar

So if I get a crap Enter Score, I can still get into the TAFE Flying course

I resent these comments as I'm doing the TAFE Flying Course this year and I got an ENTER of 87.25. I chose the TAFE course on the length of it and I'm one term in and absolutely loving it. I see some of the Uni students and they are always complaining about not flying much and all the lectures on HPL where as at TAFE, we have a pre-flight or lesson from 0830 until 1130 or 1200 and then fly in the afternoon for an hour.

[Mick F]

Why do you all seem to think that getting your commercial pilot licence through a Uni or TAFE is the only option??

You can simply walk up to the flying school, pay the same money (if not less because you only do what YOU need to do), and have your CPL inside of one year.

You all need to do a lot more homework I think.

Floody

[Matt_L]

Floody I think this can be attributed to the influence of America where there are huge colleges there such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College in the US and various other unis etc where its been a norm to get cpl etc and learn at a uni, with perception there that a degree will aid job prospects etc

Whilst these arent essential for airlines like direct entry to qf or the cadetships a uni course couldnt hurt and in some cases are preferential in applications (but in these times of a pilot shortage it is less important imho) but i agree somewhat a 3 yr course is a bit ardous if not a cadetship with an airline or guaranteed employment, after all there is the opportunity to do a uni course once established and in an airline via long distance or even part time as many airline/commercial pilots do. But I have no problems with these courses and most are very good,
but then again I wont ask you about cadetships floody coz we know what you think

Thats my take anyways,
Matt

[Nick W.]

Originally Posted by Michael Flood

You all need to do a lot more homework I think.

Exactly right, Floody. We all know that there are some of us out there with plans for their flying careers and have goals which require a degree to help with management or so forth. However, I have been approached so many times by friends and friends of friends who ask me about all these elaborate schemes to get their PPL, but they all seem amazed when I say "just go to a flying school and book a lesson".

That's how I started, and that's what I'm still doing. Often there are plans for the process, but it will work around your timetable and so forth. Many people I know have gotten their licences through flying schools, then go on and do a uni or tafe course part-time, often funded by their flying.

Like I said, my career prospects lie differently to the ones I just described. I, personally, have always enjoyed education and intend to keep that process going for as long as I can, so a university programme works well with my goals for after this year. However, it's not the only way, especially if you want a rating that fits around your schedule and is (often, but not always) a bit cheaper.

Just my 2 cents...

Nick

[Alex G]

Uni/Tafe isnt a requirement if you want to fly. That path is probably costlier and longer than just going to the flying school and doing it all yourself.

Of course, if you WANT to do a course on top of the flying then that is ultimately the choice of you yourself.
It may or may not help with your chances of a job; it may or may not give you something youd really want to fall back on. Either way its your choice so you have to be happy.

Personally my advice is get out there and do it yourself as thats what i did and so far its gone well enough.... Others will obviously advise other ways- weigh up the options and decide for yourself. Just remember to enjoy the training!

Swinburne in Melbourne is in conjunction with QANTAS

[Mick F]

Yes, it is, and it's for the cadets. So you need to qualify for the cadetship first.

Floody