727engineer Posted December 14, 2010 Posted December 14, 2010 I've just landed a job with Barrier Aviation in Cairns, doing operations and Aircraft handling (global express, challenger, citation etc etc) My boss assisting start...
dazza 38 Posted December 14, 2010 Posted December 14, 2010 Thats great News mate.I hope you enjoy your new job.
planedriver Posted December 14, 2010 Posted December 14, 2010 I've just landed a job with Barrier Aviation in Cairns, doing operations and Aircraft handling (global express, challenger, citation etc etc)My boss assisting start... And you get paid for that,-----------really? If your boss is not happy with you, don't forget to give him my number. Rgds Planey
winsor68 Posted December 14, 2010 Posted December 14, 2010 Professional Ground Handling is a very under rated skill at the moment in Australia... Good luck with the Job. Us "Groundies" need to stick together...
727engineer Posted December 14, 2010 Author Posted December 14, 2010 Thank you for all the well wishes, I've previously had experience in ultralights (582 drifters and 1926 aeronca), but due to the failed Rainbow Air at Rainbow beach some time ago, they lost all my records, or rather disappeared with them, and my 1/2 share in a drifter. I haven't been keen to revisit aviation since, but my mates at Barrier Aviation have a flight school and are interested in helping me to aquire a PPL, possibly CPL. I hope to post a myriad of pictures whilst it is all still fresh and new, but as always familiarity can sometimes curb curiosity. We operate cessna 172, 182, 206, 207, 210, 310, 340, 402, 441, piper seneca, cherokee6, BN Islander, Kingair.... I think thats all.... plus flying school and bases in Darwin, Gove, Horn Island and Cairns. I've been learning about MR's, AD's, ADA's, ASIC's, MTOW's, etc etc. I've never seen so many acronyms in my life, like learning a whole new language!!!
mechfx Posted December 14, 2010 Posted December 14, 2010 TLA is my favourite.......Three Letter Acronym
planedriver Posted December 14, 2010 Posted December 14, 2010 Thank you for all the well wishes, I've previously had experience in ultralights (582 drifters and 1926 aeronca), but due to the failed Rainbow Air at Rainbow beach some time ago, they lost all my records, or rather disappeared with them, and my 1/2 share in a drifter. I haven't been keen to revisit aviation since, but my mates at Barrier Aviation have a flight school and are interested in helping me to aquire a PPL, possibly CPL. I hope to post a myriad of pictures whilst it is all still fresh and new, but as always familiarity can sometimes curb curiosity. We operate cessna 172, 182, 206, 207, 210, 310, 340, 402, 441, piper seneca, cherokee6, BN Islander, Kingair.... I think thats all.... plus flying school and bases in Darwin, Gove, Horn Island and Cairns. I've been learning about MR's, AD's, ADA's, ASIC's, MTOW's, etc etc. I've never seen so many acronyms in my life, like learning a whole new language!!! Sounds like a bit of a challenge initially, but your heart is in the right place and i'm sure you'll do well. Good luck. By the way, your photo looks brilliant as my latest desktop background.
farri Posted December 15, 2010 Posted December 15, 2010 727, to Cairns......Hey, I`m just down the road if you ever want to come and say G`Day. Cheers, Frank.
727engineer Posted December 15, 2010 Author Posted December 15, 2010 I once complained to my instructor that it was too hard to swing a 2 blade timber prop to start the aeronca, never again....
727engineer Posted December 27, 2010 Author Posted December 27, 2010 Not a good place to park Chief.....
eightyknots Posted December 30, 2010 Posted December 30, 2010 TLA is my favourite.......Three Letter Acronym
Guest Maj Millard Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 The ground handler can carry more responsibility than is often credited. Ofter they are the last to touch the aircraft externally, and need to make sure that all hatches are closed correctly. More than once an incorrectly latched cargo door has caused the loss of the aircraft. Occasionally you'll notice something the pilot has missed during his preflight (leaking hydrylics/fuel etc) and often things spotted after engine start up (seat belt hanging out the door), flat tire or landing gear oleo problem. Not unusual to find a brake pad laying on the tarmac, especially with amphib type aircraft. Then there's alway the classic pitot-cover flapping in the breeze as they taxi off. When a prop is spinning, or a jet is running and your the one there, gaurd them from others like the killers they can be. Take it on as your personal responsibility. Then of course you have to be there when they come back to assist the unsure female passengers in the mini-skirts to leave the aircraft, and escort them safely back to the terminal. And above all keep your eyes and ears open for the unexpected, and have fun !!....................................................Maj.
727engineer Posted January 2, 2011 Author Posted January 2, 2011 Short skirts??? I like the sound of that Maj, I'm yet to eperience that one!! We are ground handling agents for a large US company, so we get jobs like Opera Winfrey etc etc plus we have all the charter aircraft for passengers/freight that keep us on our toes. Can't wait to do my TIF, after I get my CASA medical
Ultralights Posted January 2, 2011 Posted January 2, 2011 so whats required for a job as a ground handler?
Guest Maj Millard Posted January 3, 2011 Posted January 3, 2011 ultralights, you sort of have to be in the right place at the right time. There is a job being advertised at both Hamilton Is and Proserpine Airports at present for "pit crew" (love that). Virgin has placed the ad and basically you have to do whatever it takes to turn the aircraft around a couple of times a day, less refueling which is done by the refueler. Pay is probabily 2 X bags of rice a week. Most large airports have large ramp crews, and you could always send letters to the HR sections letting them know of your interest, they often look for new crew members. They like people with some aircraft experience, but also train from scratch..not really a complicated job, but you need to keep your wits about you for obvious reasons. I work for a small airline (Air Whitsunday) so I get to keep my hand in on the ramp wether I like it or not, it's just part of the job..........................................Cheers Ross
727engineer Posted January 3, 2011 Author Posted January 3, 2011 Was in your airspace today Ross!!!!!
727engineer Posted January 8, 2011 Author Posted January 8, 2011 Deputy cheif pilot and pilot load the 402
winsor68 Posted January 8, 2011 Posted January 8, 2011 so whats required for a job as a ground handler? Hi Ultralights... I just noticed your post... You just need to apply. All training is provided on the job. Takes a good 6 months until most newbies are up to scratch....Virgin Blue sets a fairly high standard for their turn arounds. We have 30 minutes from beacons of to rolling on the ramp side of things.You have to be very organized down to the last minute with up to 180 passengers, baggage and freight off and on. You will generally spend the first few months "in the boot" until you have enough situational awareness to start driving around the aircraft... mistakes are very expensive in this profession. Just the wingtip on a 737 has a price tag of over $1 000 000. It is not for everyone and I have sat in the boot with dozens of new guys over the years and told them to stick with it the pain will go away and everything will slow down after a few months... basically everything you may have learnt about workplace health and safety in regards to lifting... forget it!!! The maximum allowable bag weight for a single person lift in the airline industry world wide is 32kgs... and aircraft baggage lockers have about the same amount of headroom as you find under your kitchen table. You will "throw" 100 bags the length of your lounge room in a space the size of the underneath of your kitchen tables twice in 30 minutes.... If you want to get fit this is the job for you. In Mackay the Virgin Blue contract handlers are all casual... If you show you have a few brains as well as loading the aircraft you will be offered the opportunity to learn the checkin side of things also and this really is the way to go... you get to spend a few days a week getting fit, and a few days a week checking in (and checking out!!!) lots of backpackers. Airports are funny places and crikey the things you see!!! You will also get access to staff travel. We have a saying that after a few years of doing it you get kerosene in your blood... As much as I hate it at times, you grow to love the environment. There is nothing like working at a busy airport.
Guest Maj Millard Posted January 8, 2011 Posted January 8, 2011 Too true Windsor, I worked the night freight ramp at Oakland Int Airport in Calif for two years, for United Parcel Service (UPS). We loaded over 1 million dollars worth in three hours (11pm to 3 AM inc break). We turned around 757fs, 747s and re-engined stretched DC-8s, rain or shine. Ever seen how many freight containers they can put in a Jumbo ! Great fun, but I wouldn't do it now. The other day I loaded a bunch of backpackers onto one of the Caravans at Shute harbor. Ever wonder how nice a female young backpackers cheeks look early in the morning, as they climb up over the big floats !..I mean we have to make sure they don't fall you know !................................................................Maj... [ATTACH]10708[/ATTACH]
winsor68 Posted January 8, 2011 Posted January 8, 2011 I am constantly amazed at the number of attractive young women who don't wear underwear when they fly!!! And flirt!!!! Wow!! I reckon it has something to do with the fact that they are leaving and know they will most probably not be back so they don't see the staff as a threat. Something interesting that most people probably don't know... Some aircraft have a system whereby all baggage is loaded into large aluminium bins and then the bins are loaded into the aircraft... i.e. Jetstar Airbuses. Virgin Blue uses 737 and Embraer aircraft and all bags are manually loaded by hand... and its done a lot quicker with a lot more flexibility using less staff. Here is the interesting little bit most people probably don't know... There are 2 types of 737 aircraft used by Virgin. The 737-700 seats 142 pax. The 737-800 seats 180 pax and the rear locker has what we call a "Magic Carpet"... the whole floor moves like a conveyor as you unload or load the bags. It is easier to load but takes a bit longer to learn the coordination required to load the bags all the while reaching behind your right ear to reach the carpet controls in order to keep things flowing... generally you are receiving one bag every 4 seconds or so and having to reach behind your ear and push the button every 12 or so bags to keep things flowing. When it is hot your knees get slippery with sweat and it takes quite an effort to stay in one place when the bags can weight almost half your body weight.
727engineer Posted January 15, 2011 Author Posted January 15, 2011 Now do as the engineer says, and get up on the tail......
rick-p Posted January 28, 2011 Posted January 28, 2011 727 lucky bloke it's a really nice part of the world up that way, I know because I lived at Kuranda for a while in my younger rebellious days. Enjoy as life is far to short to waste it. :thumb_up: Regards Rick-p
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