Tips for Newcomers

[Del]

I’m 37 looking to enter the aviation industry and do my RPL-PPL-CPL training. 

 

Somewhat mechanically minded and always loved bicycles, cars, motorbikes, watches. Planes were always exciting as a kid and flying was always on my bucket list. 

 

Any recommendations for good flight schools up near Newcastle NSW and any tips or things that I should be aware of before entering the industry both good and bad?.

 

Aware of the cost and time commitment needed which I’m comfortable with. 

 

Doing a test flight soon to confirm it’s right for me but keen to hear peoples experiences and any hurdles which I haven’t considered. 

 

Cheers

Del

[skippydiesel]

Hi Del,

Check out the Thread Is it too late for me?.

Much of what you have asked, is covered therein.

There are quite a few Flying Schools in the Hunter Valley - no personal experince. Start by checking out the closest

😈

[T510]

Phil Unicomb Aviation is north of  Cessnock, have only heard good about him.

 

I'm still in the early years of my entry in to recreational aviation. Can't give any advice on taking it on as a profession.

[Del]

Thanks skippydiesel

 

T510. Which school do you train with and how’s your experience been so far?

[max]

9 hours ago, Del said:

 

I’m 37 looking to enter the aviation industry and do my RPL-PPL-CPL training. 

 

Somewhat mechanically minded and always loved bicycles, cars, motorbikes, watches. Planes were always exciting as a kid and flying was always on my bucket list. 

 

Any recommendations for good flight schools up near Newcastle NSW and any tips or things that I should be aware of before entering the industry both good and bad?.

 

Aware of the cost and time commitment needed which I’m comfortable with. 

 

Doing a test flight soon to confirm it’s right for me but keen to hear peoples experiences and any hurdles which I haven’t considered. 

 

Cheers

Del

Great mindset, Del! Being mechanically minded is a huge asset in aviation. Newcastle/Hunter Valley is a solid area for training.

 

My advice: don't rush into committing to a full CPL package immediately. Definitely do that test flight first (as you planned), then maybe aim to complete your RPL first to see how you handle the training load and if you still enjoy it before committing to the full professional path. Also, keep an eye on medical requirements early on, as that's one hurdle people sometimes overlook until it's too late.

 

 

Good luck with the discovery flight!

Edited Friday at 08:29 AM by max

[Del]

Appreciate it Max

 

Will absolutely take a staged approach to each module and won't be going the diploma route.

[T510]

15 hours ago, Del said:

Thanks skippydiesel

 

T510. Which school do you train with and how’s your experience been so far?

Hey Del,

 

I drive 10 hours to train with Wings out West in Dubbo. I wanted to learn in taildraggers and they are one of the few remaining schools that offer the option with their Legend Cubs. They also give you the opportunity to land "off airport" as they have a range of local properties they are allowed to operate out of. I found this a huge advantage when doing practice forced landing training as I was actually landing, rather than aborting the exercise at 500ft like a lot of training schools do.

 

My experience has been great, Dan, the CFI, and Coops are great instructors. I found their teaching style works well with the way I prefer to learn.

 

I took a week off work and did all my theory training and 18 hours of flight training in that week.

I used the Bob Tait books and Pilot Practice Exams for my theory and studied for a couple of months before heading up for the week of flying, theory and the theory exams.

I was doing 2 x ~90 minute flights a day and found that to be my personal limit to keep improving whilst under instruction.

 

How I did it wouldn't work for a lot of people so it is important you find the best methods that work for you. A lot of people find it hard to absorb and process more than one 60 - 90 minute flight a day. One thing I found very helpful was daily debriefings with a mate who started his RPC path a year before me.

 

I am currently getting all my endorsements sorted out on my RAAus RPC before I transfer to a RPL under CASA.

 

It is one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have done and I highly recommend it.

Edited Friday at 11:04 PM by T510

[facthunter]

Those RPCert endorsements don't  transfer to VH but it works the other way around. If you are doing something like X wind landings in real limit conditions a long period will be wasted money. Learned skills must be consolidated to be firmly imprinted in your skills base.  Nev

[T510]

3 hours ago, facthunter said:

Those RPCert endorsements don't  transfer to VH but it works the other way around. If you are doing something like X wind landings in real limit conditions a long period will be wasted money. Learned skills must be consolidated to be firmly imprinted in your skills base.  Nev

Spreading misinformation again Nev, maybe you should check the regs before you comment. 

 

If you have an RA-Aus pilot certificate

An RA-Aus pilot certificate is equivalent to an RPL.

To get a CASA-issued RPL:

• complete application form 61-1RTX Recreational Pilot Licence and send it with evidence (the form tells you what to provide and how to submit it)
• do the flight review for your aircraft rating.

Your category rating, aircraft class rating and design feature endorsements will transfer across.

You will also get a recreational navigation endorsement if:

• your certificate authorises you to do cross-country flights
• you've done at least 25 hours flying time, including 20 hours dual and 5 hours as pilot-in-command.

 

Taken from the CASA website here;

https://www.casa.gov.au/licences-and-certificates/pilots/pilot-licences/getting-recreational-pilot-licence-rpl#Addingendorsements

[BurnieM]

To transfer a RPC cross country endorsement to a RPL navigation endorsement you need to do an extra 3 hours solo cross country (total 5 hours solo cross country) and one of those trips needs to be 100 NM with 2 full stop landings away from your base.

 

[BrendAn]

5 hours ago, facthunter said:

Those RPCert endorsements don't  transfer to VH but it works the other way around. If you are doing something like X wind landings in real limit conditions a long period will be wasted money. Learned skills must be consolidated to be firmly imprinted in your skills base.  Nev

not sure where you got this from.

[KRviator]

If you're in Newy, you won't go wrong with the crew down at Warnervale. I do my BFR's there, and training over the lake is enjoyable. Close to Bankstown too for your CTA stuff. You have the option of the underpowered C150, a 150 with 150HP (better) or an RV12 with the G3X system for basic stuff and a Tecnam Twin for your MEA rating. I've also heard good things about Phil Unicomb too. Avoid anything at Bankstown - you'll waste thousands of dollars taxiing and simply transiting to/from the training area.

By all means do your CPL - but, depending what you do for a crust now - be aware you're going to spend north of $100K on training to earn bugger-all in the short to medium term. I earn more than pretty much every QLink, Rex, Link or Ruffdus pilot just playing trains, that funds my flying and I'm not in debt for it.

If you want to fly for fun, don't fly for work. If I CBF flying today, I don't have to - the RV stays in the hangar. Be wary of turning a hobby into a job...

[facthunter]

I meant to send this yesterday...........

              .The endorsements  I thought you were referencing are different to the Ones I now understand you mean.  I don't deliberately spread MISINFORMATION  It's also not quite as simple as you make out, either. Never miss a good gotcha moment though. There was a lot more in my Post than that but no one responds to My stuff unless they think I've Boo Booded. Simply the RAAus Training is not as extensive as the PPL. and operates on dispensations and has no International equivalent or standing as is stated in the article. it was never intended to be a Back door. Nev

[max]

On 10/07/2026 at 11:28 AM, max said:

Great mindset, Del! Being mechanically minded is a huge asset in aviation. Newcastle/Hunter Valley is a solid area for training.

 

My advice: don't rush into committing to a full CPL package immediately. Definitely do that test flight first (as you planned), then maybe aim to complete your RPL first to see how you handle the training load and if you still enjoy it before committing to the full professional path.

 

 

 

Dive into JeetCity and activate a rewarding website welcome offer.

Also, keep an eye on medical requirements early on, as that's one hurdle people sometimes overlook until it's too late.

 

 

Good luck with the discovery flight!

If you have some spare time, you could even start looking into the basic theory subjects like 'Aerodynamics' or 'Human Factors'—getting a head start can really take the pressure off once you're in the cockpit.

[Del]

Yep absolutely thought the same so I got Bob Taits RPL/PPL study guide textbooks which I’m working through and finding it interesting and enjoyable. 
 

Also a lot online about student pilot equipment necessary but not sure how much of it is useful immediately and how much of it can wait