Heli training - S Brisbane/Archerfield

[Legacy]

Hey guys, new to the forum, and relatively new to the whole aviation world.

I've been considering a career as a helicopter pilot for quite awhile now, hoping to go ADF down the line but not putting all my eggs in that basket as there's no guarentee I'll get in.

Anywho, I've been looking at different helicopter training providers in the South Brisbane area - preferably Archerfield but I'm happy to extend my range if there are better options. Is anyone able to point me towards a more 'prestigious' school? In other words, something that is well known in the industry where many students have a higher chance to find jobs upon completion.

I'm currently looking at V Squared, Austcopters and PHS...but I'm finding it hard to commit such a large investment without completely being sold on the idea that where I study is the best option. I don't mean to disrespect the schools, I'm sure that they are all fantastic, I'm just curious if one would provide me with better credentials if I study with them.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated,
Legacy

[2.2]

Hey guys, new to the forum, and relatively new to the whole aviation world.

I've been considering a career as a helicopter pilot for quite awhile now, hoping to go ADF down the line but not putting all my eggs in that basket as there's no guarentee I'll get in.

Anywho, I've been looking at different helicopter training providers in the South Brisbane area - preferably Archerfield but I'm happy to extend my range if there are better options. Is anyone able to point me towards a more 'prestigious' school? In other words, something that is well known in the industry where many students have a higher chance to find jobs upon completion.

I'm currently looking at V Squared, Austcopters and PHS...but I'm finding it hard to commit such a large investment without completely being sold on the idea that where I study is the best option. I don't mean to disrespect the schools, I'm sure that they are all fantastic, I'm just curious if one would provide me with better credentials if I study with them.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated,
Legacy

PHS have the rock and if you can get a job there, your career is sorted.

Don't know about the other two, but I do see a few resumes from V2 at work so a few pilots have gone there which is a good sign.

[Skeeter]

I have done my licence conversion at V2 and found them good, too.
Can`t comment on the others in the area.

Having said that:
Go and visit all of them. As you said, you are planning to invest a huge amount of money.
So do not just listen to anonymous comments from the internet!

[Queestce]

As people have mentioned, it's important to go to the various nearby schools and meet with the staff to ensure it's a good fit. There are a multitude of options in the SEQLD area; depending on how far you wish to travel from Brisbane?... You said it yourself though, a CPL(h) is not a cheap piece of paper - best to shop around!

V2 is a good school and well located, they have good instructors, but not always a lot of direct links to low hour jobs in the industry. As mentioned, PHS do have scope for employing their students - their quality of training I cannot attest to however. Definitely consider Chopperline at Coolangatta too. They have a good school, as well as a solid commercial side, and a newly acquired local operation staffed by their ex-students. Beckers up the Sunshine Coast are another excellent school. I have no idea what job prospects they may provide, but they are an internationally regarded school with a good reputation. The list goes on, Blue Tounge, Aeropower, Airwork, Auscopters ect ect.

Really, when it's down to brass tacks, a schools reputation/employment connections are important, excellent quality training is more important, but keep in mind that the thing that will get you a job in this industry is your own persistence and attitude. Do some detailed searching on this mighty website and you will find more threads similar to your own, and a wealth of opinions and advice. Keep in mind when do you go to visit schools that the staff there are trying to sell a product, I'm not saying they will be insincere, but you may appear as $70,000 wad of cash to them, make sure you talk to the students too!

Keep on the hunt for the ADF position though. Selection is a lengthy, testing, and painful process - but you never know if you can cut the grade until you try. Ensure you are joining not only because you want to fly, but because you strongly aspire to be a military officer; there is a lot more to the life of an ADF pilot than just flying. In regards to the aptitude testing/flight screening/OSB etc, keep this place in mind.

http://www.aeroscience.com.au/defence-f ... w-and-atc/

I can personally attest to Dr Holding's course, it will give you a massive leg up towards getting to Flight Screening - and it's any man's game from there! I know I personally find a plane less threatening than a maths test

All the best with whatever road you take mate.

[robbiedan]

I would suggest getting your medical and optical out of the way first before committing any money to training or applying to the ADF.

I agree with most of Queestce's post. I didn't do any pre-training for the ADF. Most of it was pretty basic aptitude testing and hand eye coordination. Admittedly I already had my CPL when I applied.

Canvas the schools and speak to students and instructors. Shouldn't be to hard to sort who wants your money from who wants to make you a pilot.

Also if your serious about the ADF route I would apply now. The process is quite lengthy and as you say there are no guarantees you will get a placing. There are some good threads regarding ADF. Might as well get the theory out the way while applying and it will show the recruiters you are keen on aviation. A little advice - be careful how detailed you fill out the medical questionnaire. It doesn't take much to cop a Class 4. Also joining the defence force is not a means to an end. Your an officer that flys not a pilot who does officer stuff.

[KNOW NUFFEN]

Truan I have no affinity to any flying school , but I would say I would not be happy if I was V2 and solvent and people were making comments like yours .
What I would say t is that there may be rumours on any school or no rumour on a particular company and then they fall over . I would say to anyone if they were concerned , pay week by week or lesson by lesson if you were unsure. If they didn't agree maybe walk away .

[helothere]

Truan's posts have been deleted.
Truan, you can't just go around shooting off at the mouth like that! Some would consider it slander. Especially since you registered to make those comments...

[V2 Helicopters]

74mjh/Skeeter, Thank You for your positive feedback. We are glad to hear that you were happy with the service we provided and if you are in the area please do call in to say hello.

Legacy, you are more than welcome to come in and see our facilities, meet the team and see for yourself how we operate and how busy we currently are with new students both CPL(H) and PPL(H). We have students travelling from all over Australia to train with us partly due to Ken Amess' experience and partly because we go out of our way to provide a high level of helicopter training. Our last three commercial pilot graduates are now in flying jobs around Australia so our links to low hour positions within the industry are not lacking. Be careful of flying schools who promise or guarantee jobs immediately after training as these "jobs" maybe sweeping the hangar floor. As Skeeter and Queestce mentioned, the best advice is to visit your local schools and see which one you feel most comfortable at.

V2

[Legacy]

Thanks heaps for all your feedback! I really appreciate the assistance. I will definitely be taking a look through all the schools, seeing which one bests suits myself. I will definitely keep going for the ADF, already got the ball rolling with the application, but was too honest in the medical and got slammed by a Class 4, few minor issues that don't affect my performance in any area so I'm hoping my appeal will get me redefined to Class 1.

Thank you Queestce, I'll definitely look into Dr Holdings course, can never be too prepared!

Also thank you to Robbiedan for the "Your an officer that flys not a pilot who does officer stuff". I was hoping to join purely for the flight aspect, I'll have to think more about the job of an Officer, though it is becoming more and more appealing.

[Queestce]

...I will definitely keep going for the ADF, already got the ball rolling with the application, but was too honest in the medical and got slammed by a Class 4, few minor issues that don't affect my performance in any area so I'm hoping my appeal will get me redefined to Class 1...

I know the feeling. I spent a good 3 months visiting specialists and getting xrays before I was cleared for my medical by AvMed. You're most definitely not the first to be put on Class 4, and likewise you wouldn't be the first to successfully appeal - a lot of ADF pilot candidates I have spoken with encountered setbacks with their medicals initially during recruiting, they are pretty scrutinous! Best of luck with the appeal.