Picking a training school in Sydney

[Guest mick_mcgee]

I took a Cessna172 up last week on an introductory flight and I am now hooked. I would like to get my GFPT but I am confused on which training school to use. Airborne Aviation have estimated that the all inclusive cost (including books, etc.) is $18000 and it will take 40 hrs of flying. Basair reckon you can do it with approx 25 hrs of flying at a total cost of $8000. Both prices also include theory classes, briefings, etc.

 

Big difference in prices. Where you do you start?

 

Also, is it better to learn out of Camden with less air traffic or Bankstown (apparently the busiest airport in the southern hemisphere). Is it a bit like learning to drive a car in an automatic or a manual. It might be slightly harder to learn at Bankstown, but at least then I can drive a manual if I wish...so to speak!!!

 

Cheers...

 

 

[Guest David C]

I agree , it is very confusing being given conflicting info as you have been by these schools . First of all , both schools seem expensive to me , I hope that has not thrown another spanner in the works !! ..

 

Consider the fact that , even if you choose a Bankstown based school , you would probably spend some time flying down to Camden and doing circuits there anyway , because of the congestion at Bankstown , and the availability of another airfield to train at .

 

Personally , I would be taking a trip down to Camden , and speaking to a few schools down there . Gostner Aviation can train you at GA level or RAA if that takes your fancy , so thay have both feet in the camp so to speak . Dave Maddox is the CFI there . Also you could try Curtis Aviation , they are a good bunch there too , and Craig Marshall is the guy to speak to ....

 

I have no connections with any of these schools ... I trained at Hoxton Park Airport ... Sadly we all know what happenend there ... RIP Hoxton Park ..

 

Hope I have not made the confusion any worse but honestly ... like buying a car , you need to shop around ... there are differences ..

 

Dave C

 

 

[Guest liveillusion]

No Mate it is definetly not better to learn to fly from Camden!! If you are going to learn go to Bankstown all of the flight schools are very competative the only one i woulnt go to would be SFTC.PS I do not recomend Airborne Aviation because they are all about how much money they can get from you.Trust me I started there and the instructors make you fly extra hours so they can meet their quotar for the end of the week and you end up doing alot of useless flying at exaturated prices.They make you fly the 182s instead of the cheaper aircraft.The 182s there are over priced at approx 330 an hour.....You can get a twin engine aircraft at Bankstown for the same price.Anyway its up to you but my experience with them was very negative and as I have found out Im not the only one.

 

 

[TAA Student Pilot]

Keep in mind around a 25% of the time you have to pay for at BK is taxing and waiting, the clock starts when the engines turning. Interesting to see how they fill out maint. releases just flight time? Then they charge for engine on/off, bit of a difference.

 

 

[Guest mick_mcgee]

Thanks a million for your feedback guys. You have all given me heaps to think about...a real eye opener!!!

 

 

[Guest liveillusion]

No worries mate good luck with finding a school i know its a pian,but you dont want to end up with a wrong school.Trust me i have been there and it cost me thousands picking the a badly managed school!!!

 

 

[Guest Luke Smith]

This might be a bit late, but I just finished my PPL at Curtis in Dec 2009. Highly recommend. Very professional and will train you the right way from the beginning. Also they start you off in a tail wheel which pays dividends in the future even if you are hesitant to start off in them like I was.