Hello from Wollongong

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Hi guys,

 

Been checking out these terrific forums for a while now so about time I introduce myself :)

 

My name is Richard. I'm 41 years old from Wollongong. Started my PPL training 17 years ago but that came to end after about 30 hours in the cockpit due to finance, overseas travel, life etc. Always carried in the back of my mind the desire to get my pilots licence which brings me here today with this post.

 

Heading down to YWOL tomorrow to have a chat with the local training company NSWAIR about resuming my training. Hopefully back in the cockpit next week sometime and with some gopro footage to share with anybody that may be interested.

 

In the meantime, been busy reading through the BAK and flight training manual which means I'll be pestering all of you with heaps of questions :)

 

 

[Ultralights]

depending on where your living, and in the area, also, consider dropping in to Jaspers Brush and say hi to Liz.

 

 

[Cal Air 63]

Hi and Welcome

 

Brent

 

 

[JEM]

Hi RJW

 

Ring and check before going. NSW Air have been out of the air for a month.

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Hi RJWRing and check before going. NSW Air have been out of the air for a month.

Oh will do. Why have they not been flying?

 

 

[JEM]

Chief pilot resigned and everything stopped. Heavily reported in the Illawarra Mercury about a month ago. I heard yesterday that the business has been sold to a new owner. No contact number for him yet but I saw the AP hangar doors open yesterday with aircraft static inside. C152 and Cherokee.

 

Aerial Patrol and an engineering business was caught up in the mess.

 

Alternatively there is an RAA ultralight school operating at YWOL with Alpha and Jabiru aircraft if youre interested in Rec flying.

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Talked to instructor at NSWAIR and confirm everything you said JEM.

 

They have hired a new CFI but apparently he needs approval from CASA before he can start. I also learnt that all the Cessna 152's will be out of action for training for 3 months due to some maintenance issue (SIDS???) and possibly even for good. I can start training in their warrior but at $330 p/hr its way beyond what i was expecting.

 

Might have to consider the RAA route and make the transition over to GA at a later stage. Do you know anything about the RAA school at YWOL?

 

 

[Oscar]

Considered Andy Campbell's operation at Jaspers Brush?

 

 

[JEM]

Hi RJW

 

RA School YWOL Bruce Robbins

 

http://www.flyillawarra.com.au/contact-us/

 

 

[IBails]

I can recommend Bruce. I also returned to flying after a long break , did have PPL . I also fly at Jaspers but you are limited to weekends. Liz is good . Jaspers use a Brumby , Bruce only has Jab's available at present.

 

 

[mnewbery]

I can't comment on the various operations noted above. My comment is about the $$$.

 

I was learning in a C-150L for a while, at $190/HR after driving for nearly three hours to the airport. That's three hours each way. I thought that was pretty extravagant.

 

If you can get one GA plane and one instructor at all for circa $330/hr, great! Nobody has appeared to mention it in this forum as far as I know but it has been "interesting" to get flight training in Canberra. This is not a reflection on providers past or present, just the state of play.

 

Now that the O-200 and O-235 powered GA fleet is pretty much timed-out, $350/hr is about average.

 

 

[JEM]

Bruce has an Alpha as well as Jabs

 

 

[pmccarthy]

Flight training at Kyneton Victoria with Mike, a really great instructor, is shown on their website

 

Dual: VH-ABW $270

 

Supervised Solo: VH-ABW $204

 

Dual: Own aircraft $110

 

Supervised Solo: Own aircraft $44

 

I'm not sure that these rates are current, as the website says Archived, but it would be worth checking.

 

ABW is a really clean and well-behaved C172 that has all SIDS completed. Some people come for a week or two from other states or overseas to complete an intensive training period.

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Considered Andy Campbell's operation at Jaspers Brush?

I have but its about a 2hr return trip from where i live. To YWOL its onlys 20 minutes.

 

 

[Geoff13]

Quality of training is a far more important consideration than distance to travel.

 

This comment is not meant as a reflection on anyone as I do not know any of the schools or fields down that way, it is however a point that I discovered when looking for a flying school.

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

I think I might go and have a chat with Bruce next weekend. Does anyone know much about the Pipistrel alpha trainer? How does it compare with the J160/J170 ?

 

 

[68volksy]

Should put in a plug for Goulburn Aviation if you're after PPL or RPL - $280 per hour for the Warrior. They also do RA training in Goulburn but if you're after that then Bruce is closer.

 

 

[IanR]

Depending on exactly where you live, Camden isn't that far and has a number of good schools

 

 

[anjum_jabiru]

I am just about to give my flying test for Recreational Pilot Certificate. Thought of doing the PPL at first but then decided to complete my training at a fraction of the cost by getting a Recreational Pilot Certificate and then swapping over to RPL from CASA, which is pretty straightforward. If you are interested in flying anything over 1500 kgs then go for PPL by taking extra lessons, as all your RAA flying hours towards a Recreational Pilot Certificate are counted.

 

Currently taking lessons in a Jabiru LSA (mini-Cessna) from John Taru (very easy going and the best flying instructor I have come across so far) at The Oaks (Dave's Flying School, near Camden) @ $150/hour :) - Say Anjum referred you and he will take good care of you!

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Thanks for the info Anjum. Im actually thinking of training with one of their sister schools in Wollongong with a guy called Bruce Robbins. Hopefully meeting up with him tomorrow for a bit of a chat. Its a little more expensive but its my home airport and close by.

 

 

[anjum_jabiru]

No worries. By the way I live in Balgownie. I like John because he means business and took me into circuits from 2nd day onwards. I found him very focused and easy going. Also Bruce does not operate on Sundays but there are other instructors in his team who do Sundays. All the best with Bruce. Give my regards to Dave (CFI).

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

If it doesn't work out with Bruce then its good to know I've got a few other options :) However, I met up with Bruce this afternoon and was very impressed. He spent 2 hours with me answering all my questions and showing me his fleet of training aircraft. First lesson next Saturday in the Jabiru... cant wait.

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Quick follow-up on this post. I've done 6hrs of training with Bruce so far and he has been great. So if you are thinking of learning to fly out of Wollongong give Bruce a call.

 

 

[IBails]

Will be good when the Alpha is repaired. Only the Jabs operating at present. That Alpha is a very nice aircraft and my preferred choice. Have done quite a few hrs in the 230 Jab but for local stuff I like the Alpha. Good to see you are well on the way with Bruce, I also enjoy his instruction.

 

 

[Romeo Juliet Whiskey]

Yeah I'm looking forward to flying the alpha. It's going to be interesting to compare it with the Jab 170. Looks like a great little aircraft.