R6_kid takes to the air!

[BAD DAD]

My son got his CPL last year and has just qualified as an instrustor. He is currently starving to death while he tries to find paid work in aviation.
( but he lives and breathes flying )

[Bikernereid]

Recently went up in a Robin from North Shore Aero club and it was awesome. I am very jealous of anyone getting their licence in NZ as it is so expensive in the UK. I have got my first flying lesson in NZ when I get back thanks to old prof who is mad into flying, can't wait.

Good luck with it all.

All going well I will be going up for a trial flight at North Shore Aero Club on Sunday (depending on weather report as of tomorrow). This will be my first time up in a light single engine aircraft since I was 10yrs old. I will be going up in one of their Robins, as it turns out im too tall and heavy for the old 152's!

Who else is on the way to getting their PPL or CPL, or already has achieved either?

[sAsLEX]

Cadetships could also be the way like you said in your PM.

Follow your old man?






and even?

[Swoop]

I've did a bit of jumping out of a perfectly good herc last year. Fucking fun

Where abouts did you do that?

[sAsLEX]

Where abouts did you do that?

You serving?

They generally offer it a couple of times a year out of Whenuapai, static line stuff normally I think, just like the old days!

[Swoop]

You serving?
They generally offer it a couple of times a year out of Whenuapai, static line stuff normally I think, just like the old days!

Nope.
Roundies... *cringe*!
They did a few loads at Matamata last year for the Jump Start charity.

I heard a whisper that they are going to put a "proper" fence around wobblypai. That will cost a pretty penny.

[Bruiser]

Started my ppl and solo'd after 8 hrs to lose my chance after a heart attack. Then got into microlights, bought a 2-seater and got passenger rated while flying out of Hood in Masterton.

Lost too many, one a good mate doing ag work and when returning to Auckland I hated all the city flying so gave it all away and sold my last plane.

Have mates still flying and still get the urge every time I hear the majic sounds overhead! The Harley now provides my (low) flying satisfaction but would have loved to get back into the microlights. Unfortunately a quadruple bypass after two heart attacks in 2002 put paid to any further aviating for me... .

So I'll make do with enjoying your stories here.

[R6_kid:Me]

Follow your old man?

Dunno about the Navy, but a lot of friends in the Air Force are starting to want to get out as it's not going particularly well.

My plan is to head to Aussie for at least one year, get my marks up to scratch, be out of debt, and have enough money that should I want/need to pay for it i'll have the money there - or if i choose to go the paid way (military) then i'll have some toy money sitting there anyway.

Either way getting my marks up to scratch is the main thing, and I have lined up a course in Aussie where I can do so, specifically for Aviation. Though I do like the idea of heli's and boats, 10 years is a long time!

[SPman]

North Shore went downhill after they sealed the strip and got rid of the Cubs....ahhhhhh, those were the days.........dribble dribble.....No radios, no flaps, no distractions on X-countries and every take off and landing a contest to see who could get off and land in the shortest possible space, so every landing was a mad sideslip to get in with your wheels 2ft over the fence at the end of the strip.
A bit embarrasing at Hamilton on my first away cross country though.......
Was rated in PA18,s C150-172, PA28-140/180 and Victa Airtourer, but only enjoyed the Cubs and the Airtourer, but haven't flown now for about 25 yrs......

[Usarka]

3to and 3 landings in a 90 day period shouldn't be too expensive.

as long as its enough to keep skills and confidence up.....

[marty]

i flew 4 hours today in the beast 206, meatbombing @ matamata. tomorrow i'm delivering a 152 to gisborne. i have tonight turned down 2 days flying skydivers over the weekend - i've got a full day at matamata saturday but have to work at my real job sunday monday.

95% of the young pilots today expect to be in a 737 with 250hrs. the CTC guys are, but they are spending 75000 POUNDS and have UK live/work rights. i'm just laughing at the young guys who aren't prepeared to put the old school ways to work for them - i have done 300hrs in the last 14 months, not paid a cent, and made some nice pocket money out of it.

i'm starting my c-cat in feb. paying for it myself, will be a nice little qualification to have

[86GSXR]

I'm an instructor with 4000 hrs and I can honestly say that the opportunities in aviation worldwide and in NZ have never been better than they are now and are showing no signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future. This is mostly due to the huge growth in the Indian and Chinese economies fueling the demand for air travel like no other time in history.

So I'll say to any young and not so young guys out there who are contemplating a career in aviation - go for it!

Sure, you'll incur a big debt and be broke for a few years but if you can handle that, and get through the training you WILL make it!

[Jantar]

.... Sure, you'll incur a big debt and be broke for a few years but if you can handle that, and get through the training you WILL make it!

Or your parents will be broke for a few years. But take the opportunity now and go for it. You won't be sorry.

[Brett]

Dunno about the Navy, but a lot of friends in the Air Force are starting to want to get out as it's not going particularly well.

My plan is to head to Aussie for at least one year, get my marks up to scratch, be out of debt, and have enough money that should I want/need to pay for it i'll have the money there - or if i choose to go the paid way (military) then i'll have some toy money sitting there anyway.

Either way getting my marks up to scratch is the main thing, and I have lined up a course in Aussie where I can do so, specifically for Aviation. Though I do like the idea of heli's and boats, 10 years is a long time!

I am not a regrets person, however I do have one. Near the end of my 7th form year, I was dead set on joining the airforce to train as a fighter pilot, had the physical requirements, education skills and the determination and drive. And the airforce were buying the F16's. When that fell through and then they also decided to off load their current jets, allbe them old, I just decided it wasn't worth it anymore. I briefly considered going over to Aussie, but had just met the girl of my dreams and kept putting the idea off.

This year my passion for flying has bitten me again. Particularly my passion for fighters and stunt planes, and I wish I had pursued that as a carrier. I still could I suppose, not ovre the age limit yet, but with the Mrs studying to be a doctor and the fact that I am building a new house, I seem to have all but closed that door on myself.

I have toyed with the idea of selling the GSXR to help fund my PPL, but haven't yet committed to it. If my wife was interested in moving to aussie to complete her training I am pretty certain that I would leave my (well paying) career and go as a cadet in the airforce academy.

Good on you bro, and good luck. Heaven knows I am jealous.

[erik]

Who else is on the way to getting their PPL or CPL, or already has achieved either?

I've just booked a trial flight at the North Shore Aero club for next saturday. I went out and had a look at the airfield today, haven't been there before.
I've always been interested in planes, used to fly r/c planes.
I've saved up a bit that was going to go towards a new bike or maybe a house in the distant future, but I'm still having heaps of fun on the bandit so maybe I'll spend it on getting a PPL... I'll see how it goes on saturday.