hey guys, my first post here, I would like some aviation career advice please. I'm currently in high school doing VCE in australia and i have no flying time (just been behind the controls a few times with my dad's friend) and i've wanted to be a pilot since age 2.

I've been doing research as to the best way to get from 0 effective flying time, to being an airline pilot (hopefully flying somthing like 737, a320 or erj-190... ect) WITHOUT going through the airforce (i don't like the odds of actualy being a pilot vs. the comitment). I an fully awere that it could take many many years to get from where i am now to landing a job at a major airline. I've been looking at jetstar's cadet pilot program and was wondering if i should go for it (but very expensive).
I would just like someones opinion of what is the best way to from 0 flight hours to major airline pilot (without going through airforce) in australia.

I am extremly enthusiastic about being a pilot, and if any of you are even anywhere near, are or were a pilot flying for a major airline, please tell me how you got there, and what you would recomend to be the best way.

i would love to start off with small charter airlines and move my way up through bigger and bigger companies to turboprops, and then hopefully through to big turbofan aircraft. But i would prefer it if i could do a pilot cadet program with a major airline to begin with, as i'm aware that this can land a job as a second or first officer with said airline.

i know i still need to do alot more research but i just wanted someone's opinions/advice.

i know this journey can take a very long time (sometimes an entier lifetime) and be very expensive, but i also know there are many ways to shorten that journey.

thanks to any replies....... James

 

You might want to ask on Pprune, they have a whole section on Oz aviation.

Most of us would read the title of your post as you want to learn to fly in Austin, Texas.

 

Despite being what you don't hear, join the RAAF, it's the best way forward at the least personal cost and guarantees a career.

GF

 

James,

Unfortunately, short cuts in this industry these days, are few and far between. You may or may not be aware that Virgin is starting up an ab-initio course that will see you start on the ATR's and progress through to either domestic on the EMB or as an SO, on the 777's.

As far as I'm aware, the details still need to ironed out but the group of training providers that were asked to submit bids, have done so.

The competition is going to be extremely stiff, especially as QF no longer has their cadet course but my advice would be to work your butt off in school and get good grades, as a starting point.

Good luck......as most who've been in this game a while will tell you, you'll need it.