Is it too late for me?

[BrendAn]

24 minutes ago, Marty_d said:

Hey Brendan, waiting til I finish. I have my PPL from many years ago (restricted) - only 45 hours or so on C172s, so I have a lot to learn/relearn.

Thanks Nev, guess it's all relative, I'm 54, pretty much the same age Baz is.

 

Building and flying are 2 different things. @Builds By Baz you're obviously very capable of building things to a high standard and I'm guessing you like doing so, otherwise you wouldn't spend years doing so.

They're right though, it's a good idea to do a TIF at least to ensure you like it before committing.

My only point is that if you enjoy the process of creating something, then you'll probably enjoy making a plane.

I envy you building your own.

What a fantastic sense of achievement the day of your first flight.

I like tidying up and repairing old planes and boats but I don't have the skills to build the whole thing.

My original question was just out of curiosity whether the building project was what got you interested and the flying would come later.

I have friends that are serial builders. They fly but prefer building. 

Edited Friday at 12:02 PM by BrendAn

[facthunter]

Baz's Question was about Learning to fly, and for HIM it's a serious and critical Question,  so in fairness to the One who started this thread, BAZ, why can't we stick to a reply relevant to his situation specifically and keep it that  way, so he can keep us informed. . Nev

[T510]

So if you don't turn 56 this year, you haven't built a Viper, spent time in the Army and live in Canberra you had better not comment.

 

 

But it's ok to talk about your pets licking you in a thread about landing fees......

 

Try for a bit of consistency Nev.

 

[facthunter]

Your comment T510, is TOTAL Bull$#!t. I'm just trying to help BAZ. That's not comparable in any way, with  a light hearted comment about Skips never ending SAGA on Landing fees. Nev

[facthunter]

Keep on Playing "Gotcha".  Nev

[Builds By Baz]

Hey guys. I sure hope my thread hasn't started a flame war.

 

To fill in the blanks: 

I wanted to be a pilot when I was a kid. At 15 I wanted to be a fighter pilot but quickly realised I didn't have the grades so I joined the army at 17.

 

As an air dispatcher, crew commander, basic paratrooper, drop zone safety commander and finally a parachute jump master, I spent a lot of time in aircraft over 16 years in the military. I've jumped out of a lot of aircraft static line and freefall from 1,000 to 12,000 feet.

 

About 18 years ago I bought a Saitek flight control joystick and throttle control and had some hours on microsoft flight simulator. I was interested again in flying but never followed through due to financial constraints and family commitments.

 

I don't know if these false starts mean it's not happening for a reason, or if they mean that I should actually bite the bullet and just do it.

 

I do like the idea suggested that I go for an introductory flight under instruction, then go through the study, exams and flight training to get at least my recreational licence. I don't think I'll ever go as far as commercial, but maybe somewhere in between so if I fly I can share it with a loved one.

 

As far as building is concerned, I am very accomplished with my hands, having built buildings and infrastructure, movie props, a 12 metre trailer and am currently a bladesmithing instructor full-time and a swordsmith. I've inspected some kits and been up close with partially built aircraft from kits to restorations. I think if I wanted to do it, I would be fine at it.

 

Getting some flying in first and getting my licence before even attempting to build is sound advice.

 

When I get a day off during the week, I will check out the Canberra airport for the flying schools.

 

Thanks everyone for your tremendous advice and banter. It's interesting and informative to see your wealth of experiences.

 

Cheers,

 

Baz.

[Thruster88]

Fleet | canberra-aeroclub

WWW.CANBERRA-AEROCLUB.COM.AU

Nice fleet at Canberra aero club. Price is reasonable. Clubs are good places to meet like minded people. 

[rgmwa]

48 minutes ago, Builds By Baz said:

Hey guys. I sure hope my thread hasn't started a flame war.

No, it's just another day. Don't worry about it.

[skippydiesel]

Hi Baz,

 

I just tried to get into the RAA web site to see if they list RAA training establishments in the Canberra area - unfortunately there seem to be a problem with the web site,  it wouldn't accept my log in.

 

RAA flight training is likly to be your most cost effective . The training follows the same content as GA (with the exception of entry to controlled airspace - soon to be included)

 

I doubt Canberra airport will have an RAA flight school (but you never know) - someone, on the forum, in the Canberra area would know for sure.

 

😈

[facthunter]

The training is NOT the same as VH skip. VH  endorsements flow to  RAA but not the reverse and there's no aeros, steep turns, spinning  unusual attitudes(of Planes) etc  permitted in RAAus, The RAAus CERTIFICATE is not ICAO compliant   There's more hours to get a PPL, I doubt there's any RAAus training in Canberra or ever going to be.  At any busy place more time will be spent on the ground waiting than otherwise would be the case and because of traffic your airwork will also be compromised. Maybe there's a little used aerodrome within flying distance that could be better for training at?   Moruya? Cooma ? Nev

[BrendAn]

2 minutes ago, facthunter said:

The training is NOT the same as VH skip. VH  endorsements flow to  RAA but not the reverse and there's no aeros, steep turns, spinning  unusual attitudes(of Planes) etc  permitted in RAAus, The RAAus CERTIFICATE is not ICAO compliant   There's more hours to get a PPL, I doubt there's any RAAus training in Canberra or ever going to be.  At any busy place more time will be spent on the ground waiting than otherwise would be the case and because of traffic your airwork will also be compromised. Maybe there's a little used aerodrome within flying distance that could be better for training at?   Moruya? Cooma ? Nev

tumut has raaus

[facthunter]

What's the country (topography) and weather like, there? At times getting into Canberra can be weather challenging.  Nev

[BrendAn]

1 minute ago, facthunter said:

What's the country (topography) and weather like, there? At times getting into Canberra can be weather challenging.  Nev

no idea nev but tumut would be pretty high altitude. thruster or Methusela would  know .

[facthunter]

I've been there a few times but not in a plane. Nev

[Builds By Baz]

17 minutes ago, facthunter said:

The training is NOT the same as VH skip. VH  endorsements flow to  RAA but not the reverse and there's no aeros, steep turns, spinning  unusual attitudes(of Planes) etc  permitted in RAAus, The RAAus CERTIFICATE is not ICAO compliant   There's more hours to get a PPL, I doubt there's any RAAus training in Canberra or ever going to be.  At any busy place more time will be spent on the ground waiting than otherwise would be the case and because of traffic your airwork will also be compromised. Maybe there's a little used aerodrome within flying distance that could be better for training at?   Moruya? Cooma ? Nev

I have zero idea of what any of that means. Probably a good idea to go in cold, with no bad habits or assumptions? Or should I start studying? Downloading stuff? Watching tutorials?

 

Baz.

[peterg]

On 17/6/2026 at 9:56 PM, Builds By Baz said:

I'm 56 this year and have wanted to fly since I was a child.

Hello Baz

 

I've been flying quite a while - learnt on Chipmunks while I was at school - done quite a bit over the years in Australia & overseas - all private flying - quite a bit of IFR - some long flights hopping across a few countries. Also done quite a bit of sailing, again Australia and overseas - a few long ocean races etc.

 

Enough of the background - my advice is try gliding first - I've done quite a bit and started not long after I finished PPL - again Australia and overseas. Even been gliding out of Lake George back in the early '70's with ANU Gliding Club when the lake was dry - ridge soaring ie under the controlled airspace . A fair bit of water buggers that venue now.

 

The thing with gliding is you generally need to put aside the day and in the early stages it's only short flights. The advantages to you are in my opinion huge - you will learn stick & rudder skills, you will learn that those pedals are not footrests, you will learn what a balanced turn is, you what a stable approach is, you will learn speed control, you will learn stalls and spins - properly etc etc

 

Further, you can start now - for the sort of flying you need initially, winter gliding is great - contact these guys https://canberragliding.org - There are other clubs too.

 

 

[facthunter]

There are Plenty of good aspects of gliding, but  on the other side Plenty have never done if or flown a tailwheel aircraft either. Simply put, Canberra is not the Ideal Place to Learn out of. IF Money is not the Limiting factor I'd go GA and do a thorough Medical first. BAZ may WANT to WORK as a Pilot, eventually, which will be via a CPL and some rating or other. Instructing is a worthy and rewarding ( Not very so financially) activity if you enjoy people and are Patient with them. You are also motivated to keep UP with everything because People expect you to answer their Questions. Charter puts you is a Position where you often fly when you don't quite want to and to Places you would rather not go.. There's nothing quite Like flying though. It can be very addictive. Be warned. This might be a life changing move. Get that PROPER medical done first\, then get your Student Licence.. Nev

[BurnieM]

Looks like Canberra aero club does not offer flight training.

 

Learn2Fly offers both RAAus and CASA pilot training at Canberra.

 

 

 

[onetrack]

Tumut is located on the banks of the Tumut River in the foothills of the Snowy Mts. The airstrip is at 263M/863ft altitude, not exactly "high altitude".

[BurnieM]

RAAus - Recreational Aviation Australia

Private training/registration organistation

9.000 pilots and 3,000 aircraft registered

Pilots can fly VFR only, up to 10,000 ft and light aircraft up to 760 kg MTOW (maximum take off weight)

Medical self declaration

Hire rates typically $250-300 per hour dual (training). Country schools may be slightly cheaper

 

CASA - Civil Aviation Safety Authority

Government aviation god

With additional endorsements pilots can fly at night, in IMC (instrument meteorological conditions), over 10,000 ft and heaver aircraft

Doctor medicals but recently introduced self declaration which adds similar restrictions to RAAus but allows some heavier planes

Private schools licensed by CASA

Hire rates typically $350-400 per hour dual (training)

 

Major aerodromes (ie Bankstown, Canberra) can be $50-100 per hour dearer

 

RPC - Recreational pilots certificate (RAAus)

RPL - Recreational pilots license (CASA)

PPL - Private pilots license (CASA)

 

Hours flown for RPC count for other licenses. It is common to get an RPC and endorsements first due to the cheaper hourly rate and then convert to RPL (flight review required). Additional endorsements such as controlled airspace add additional capability.

If you wish to do further, such as IFR (Instrument flight rules) endorsement then you also require a higher level of medical.

 

Ask the school What does your hourly rate include ?

Training organisations at small aerodromes would typically include;

Instructor pre and post briefing (still requires after hours study from student), 

plane hire,

insurance coverage,

headset use, 

fuel and

landing fees at base aerodrome.

Some schools have a fuel surcharge at the moment.

 

At some schools (typically at larger aerodromes) sometimes they charge extra for;

Instructor briefings, 

headset hire and

local landing fees.

 

 

Edited Saturday at 08:40 AM by BurnieM

[Builds By Baz]

Thanks BurnieM. I had to look up VFR.

 

I should then probably start with RPC, but I'd like to finish with PPL.

 

Baz.

 

 

[BrendAn]

43 minutes ago, onetrack said:

Tumut is located on the banks of the Tumut River in the foothills of the Snowy Mts. The airstrip is at 263M/863ft altitude, not exactly "high altitude".

well there you go. i always thought it was up in the mountains. never been there though. 

peter wilson the raaus instructor there is a great bloke. been training for a long time.

thats if he is still doing it. 

i found the old school experienced instructors far better than some of the kids that rushed their ratings to build hours towards commercial.

 

Edited Saturday at 08:55 AM by BrendAn

[skippydiesel]

51 minutes ago, Builds By Baz said:

Thanks BurnieM. I had to look up VFR.

 

I should then probably start with RPC, but I'd like to finish with PPL.

 

Baz.

 

 

Do your reserch.

Decide what your flying gaol(s) is/are.

Have sound logical reasons - ditch the sentiment but try & hold on to the passion..

No matter what rout you take it will cost a lot time & dosh. 

Then & only then, decide what flight training rout will be best for you.

 

No matter what you choose, it will test your resolve and pocket.

 

Everyone on this Forum has had a diffrent experince. They (including me) are not unbiased. We all mean well but in the end it is you alone who must weigh up the factors to suit your circumstances & gaols.

 

😈

[Student Pilot]

https://www.holbrookultralightclub.asn.au/training.html
 

These blokes still going? Not that far away?

[BurnieM]

17 minutes ago, Student Pilot said:

https://www.holbrookultralightclub.asn.au/training.html
 

These blokes still going? Not that far away?

 

280 km 

 

Only 210 km to ShellHarbour (Wollongong)