Flight Training Archives - Page 5 of 17

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Learn To Fly Safety Corner July 2023 – Incident Trend Analysis

Posted on July 14, 2023July 14, 2023 by Kai

At Learn To Fly Melbourne, our Safety Management System (SMS) conducts incident analysis to identify developing trends as part of its safety risk management process.

Incident analysis carried out over the past 3 months (April to June 2023) has identified aircraft separation issues as an emerging risk.

Recorded Incidents Include:

Near collisions. Serious near collisions between aircraft, including instances where the crews of both aircraft did not see each other until moments before or after, the aircraft’s flight paths crossed.
Evasive manoeuvres. Pilots have to manoeuvre to maintain/increase separation from other aircraft not complying (or not able to comply) with traffic sequencing instructions.
Communication difficulties. Pilots are not able to comply with traffic sequencing instructions, not communicating their intentions or actions.
Operational non-compliance. Pilots inadvertently do not (or are not able) to follow/maintain traffic sequencing instructions (cutting aircraft off in the circuit).
Separation standards. Pilots not maintaining sufficient separation with preceding aircraft leading to forced go-arounds.
Frequency management errors. Pilots reporting ready on the wrong frequency leading to aircraft entering the wrong runway for take-off.
Approaches to the wrong runway. Pilots confusing Runway 13 Right (RWY 13R) for RWY 17R.
Runway incursions.

Air Traffic Control (ATC) errors. Controllers are late in passing traffic to aircraft and applying inadequate take-off and landing separation standards.

Contributing factors

The limitations of the see and avoid principle;
The complexity of Moorabbin Airport’s runways and procedures;
Traffic volumes at Moorabbin;
Traffic density in the circuit;
The pilot workload in the circuit;
The number of student solo flights operating at Moorabbin with the minimum, but limited levels of experience;
Human factors issues.

Countermeasures

Unless their aircraft is fitted with an ADSB transponder and traffic avoidance technology, pilots will have only the traditional collision avoidance techniques to maintain separation from and avoid other aircraft.

The following pilot skills and knowledge will reduce the risk of aircraft separation issues identified in LTF’s trend analysis.

Maintain an Effective Lookout

It’s crucial that pilots maintain an effective lookout, backed by a thorough understanding of the limitations of the “see and avoid” principle. An effective lookout involves a systematic visual scan of the surroundings, cognizant of factors that might diminish the chances of spotting and accurately interpreting visual targets.

An integral part of this is understanding the physiology of the eye. Visual acuity, for instance, which relates to how well one can see based on the size of and distance from a target, is a fundamental component. So too is one’s field of view and the limitations of peripheral vision, particularly when it comes to distinguishing between moving and stationary targets.

Adapting to shifting light levels (such as from cloud shadows) and the time it takes to refocus from internal to external cockpit references are other key considerations. This also includes understanding the impact of empty field myopia – the eye’s default focus distance when peering into a seemingly endless sky.

Keep in mind that an aircraft maintaining a constant speed on a converging flight path can appear stationary to the crew of both planes. This relative movement, or lack thereof, can skew perception. It’s also important to note that human perception can be limited due to factors like illness, medications, or fatigue.

Environmental conditions can also make visual identification challenging. This includes the clutter of visual background (like an aircraft below the horizon), light levels, sun glare, and the position and elevation of the sun compared to the visual target. Even the visibility offered by the atmosphere plays a role.

Aircraft ergonomics, such as door posts, window sizes, and frames, along with the presence of other crew members, can obstruct vision. The design of the aircraft’s airframe, including the nose’s position relative to attitude and high-wing versus low-wing designs, can also limit visibility.

Also, never underestimate the effect of more straightforward factors, like the contrast between the aircraft’s colour and its backdrop, and the cleanliness of the windscreen. Each of these aspects plays a crucial role in minimising the risk of aircraft separation issues. So, next time you’re in the cockpit, remember to incorporate these principles into your routine scanning techniques to ensure safe and effective flights.

Maintain a Listening Watch

Alerted see and avoid greatly increases the likelihood for pilots of seeing other aircraft. Accurate radio communication identifying an aircraft’s location, altitude and intentions improves the opportunity to see an aircraft by knowing where to look rather than having to scan the whole sky. Information about where to look for an aircraft and where it is going may be included in the following:

Aircraft position reports and readbacks;
Pilots are broadcasting their intentions;
ATC instructions;
ATC traffic advisories and alerts.

Effective Communication

In the dynamic environment of aviation, clear and concise communication of your actual position and intentions is paramount. However, situations may arise when things don’t go as planned – you may find yourself unable to comply with an instruction, not understanding an instruction, unable to spot the aircraft you should be following, or unable to accept an instruction. There could also be circumstances when it’s simply not safe to comply with an instruction.

In such instances, it’s essential to communicate your situation to Air Traffic Control (ATC) promptly and accurately. Whether it’s about your inability to adhere to a directive, uncertainty about an instruction, or your inability to visually locate another aircraft, clarity is key.

Do not hesitate to voice your situation. Even if you’re unsure about the standard phraseology, opt for plain English to convey your message. The goal is to ensure that ATC fully understands your situation and can provide the appropriate guidance or alternative instructions to help maintain the safety and efficiency of your flight operations. Remember, effective communication forms the backbone of aviation safety, especially when dealing with unexpected situations in the air.

Expect the Unexpected

Humans are prone to making errors, and pilots are human, so, inevitably, pilots of other aircraft will not operate their aircraft as expected on occasion. Provide a margin for safety so that errors made by pilots of other aircraft or deviations from expectations do not impact your aircraft’s safety.

Check for aircraft on approach to land when you are cleared for take-off by ATC.
Look out behind for aircraft that could turn early and cut you off on all legs of the circuit.
Be prepared to go around in case the landing aircraft ahead of you experiences difficulties.
Lookout for aircraft or vehicles along the full length of the runway.
Aircraft experiencing difficulties may not be able to operate as they normally would.

Flying predictably improves the opportunity for aircraft to see each other by improving situational awareness. Predictable flying allows other pilots to anticipate where to look to see your aircraft. Fly your aircraft using standard procedures to achieve expected performance, speeds, and the established circuit pattern.

Know Your Aerodrome Procedures

Know your aerodrome operating procedures and the procedures used by helicopters. An understanding of helicopter operating procedures will improve your ability to predict where they will be and your opportunity to see and avoid them.

Helicopter circuit operations occur on the eastern grass when runways 17/35 are operating. The helicopter circuit pattern is inside the aeroplane circuit at 700 feet and is normally close to the airport boundaries.

When runways 13/31 are in operation, helicopters conduct circuit operations from the western triangle, an area south and west of RWY 31 left. Their circuit pattern is on the inside of the aeroplane circuit at 700 feet.

Helicopters arriving from the east either overfly the landing runway threshold not below 500 feet or overfly midfield not below 700 feet for a short western circuit to the helicopter landing areas.

Know the Performance of Your Aircraft and Other Types

Helicopters arriving from the east either overfly the landing runway threshold not below 500

Knowing your aircraft’s performance capabilities compared to other aircraft will improve your ability to predict where they will be in relation to yours and improve your opportunity to see and avoid them.

Multi-engine aeroplanes practising simulated engine failures achieve degraded climb performance and may extend upwind and crosswind legs.

Discuss the performance of other types and categories of aircraft with your instructor.

Human Factors

Human performance limitations and normal human psychological predisposition make pilots prone to error. Human Factors (HF) is the broad study of the risk the human pilot human poses to aviation safety and strategies to minimise the risk. Some examples of HF that may diminish safety include:

Fixation;
Distraction;
Task saturation;
Stress and anxiety;
Hazardous personal attitudes;
Incorrect perceptions and biases;
Poor setting, poor priorities and decision-making;
Ineffective communication and relationships with others.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASR) Part 61 (flight crew licencing) Manual of Standards (MOS) Non-Technical Standards (NTS-1 and NTS-2) describe non-technical (human or soft) skills pilots must acquire to minimise the risk of the negative implications of the human component of being a pilot. Things you can do to alleviate human error can include:

Develop your non-technical skills (situational awareness; assess situations and make decisions; set priorities and manage tasks; etc.);
Discuss HF with your instructor when planning flights;
Perform a rigorous IMSAFE assessment before flights;
Pre-flight preparation and planning help to reduce pilot workload and decrease the likelihood of errors.

Threat and Error Management

Other factors may adversely affect a pilot’s ability to operate safely in the vicinity of other aircraft. Threat and Error Management (TEM) is the process of anticipating factors that may impact the safety of a particular flight. The risk of Treats and Errors can be mitigated with careful pre-flight preparation.

The following threats can impose an additional layer of complexity and impact safety and the opportunity for errors during flight:

Fatigue;
Visibility;
Sun glare;
Light levels;
Traffic density;
Aircraft familiarity;
Recent experience;
Aircraft serviceability issues;
Feeling pressured (external and internal).

Knowing the principles and application of TEM and carefully assessing the likely TEM items that may affect your flight will decrease the likelihood of their having a negative impact on safety.

Your instructor will assist in assessing TEM as part of every solo flight authorisation.

Collision Risk in the Circuit

Collision risk increases in the circuit. The circuit funnelling aircraft to the runway threshold (a fixed point on the ground) in a common traffic pattern based on the runway. The consistency with which the circuit is flown increases the risk of collision between aircraft whose pilots have not seen each other.

Aircraft following you in the circuit likely represent the greater threat. Following aircraft, even slower ones can create a collision risk if they turn early (cut in) on a leg of the circuit. The following aircraft are difficult to maintain visual contact with due to their relative position and aircraft ergonomics. Look behind when down-wind and on base. Look for aircraft on a close or high base when established on final.

There are areas in the circuit with a higher risk of collision. On the final approach, the runway provides lateral and vertical visual cues to permit pilots to fly a more accurate and consistent flight path.

***“Heat map” of Moorabbin Aerodrome showing circuit pattern traffic density for the first quarter of 2017.*** *Note the density of aircraft concentrated on the final approaches.*

On final, the opportunity to visually acquire aircraft on a converging flightpath will be diminished with the pilot’s attention being strongly focused on the runway to monitor the approach. Make a conscientious effort to look for traffic before joining the final and to scan for traffic throughout the approach to land.

Resources

Resources to assist pilots in developing knowledge to avoid aircraft separation issues.

Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) on Avoiding Collisions

Airservices Australia on Runway Safety

A Pilot’s Guide to Runway Safety

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on Collision Avoidance

ADVISORY CIRCULAR AC 91-14v1.0 Pilots’ responsibility for collision avoidance

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on Flying Around Melbourne and Moorabbin

Stay On Track – Flying the Melbourne region

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) on Human Factors

Safety Behaviours for Pilots

Chat to one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

Aviation Theory and Ground School: Essential Knowledge for Flight Training in Australia

Posted on June 15, 2023July 13, 2023 by Kai

Aviation theory and ground school involve your classroom time with an instructor to learn essential knowledge for flight training in Australia. Whilst you might think that theory is boring, it makes the flying part so much more fun and interesting. Throughout your aviation training, every flying lesson will begin in a classroom for a briefing on a theory application. Your time spent in the classroom will make you a better pilot in an aircraft. Let’s explore aviation theory and ground school so that you can understand how to establish essential knowledge for flight training in Australia.

What Is Aviation Theory and Ground School

Aviation theory is the science and textbook content for learning how to become a pilot. Some flight training schools separate ground schools from flight schools, but in Australia, we mostly consider them to be the same thing. In aviation ground school, you’ll study each component and milestone before undertaking practical experience in an aircraft.

The topics you’ll cover will typically include aerodynamics, air law, human factors, aviation instrumentation, weather, and so on.

The Importance of Theory in Flight Training

Every pilot decision and control input should be from the basis of the flight training. As humans, we have natural tendencies that can make us poor pilots. It’s in the theory and ground school that you’ll establish this knowledge and how to overcome these tendencies.

Whilst you might think that time in the cockpit is what builds a pilot, aviation theory and ground school is the actual foundation that pilots live upon. You build up practical experience in and around the aircraft, but this is only useful if you have the theory to apply.

Some very straightforward examples demonstrate the limitations of the human mind and how theory is fundamental to becoming a pilot. For instance, if you found yourself inverted in an aircraft, a common response is to pull back on the stick or yoke and do a half loop to recover. However, this is one of the riskiest manoeuvres you can undertake – particularly at low altitudes. The theory will teach you to turn off the autopilot, adjust power, unload the wings (push forward), roll, and recover to a climb. It sounds simple but is not naturally intuitive without theory and training, particularly in a moment of unexpected rush. Better yet, you won’t just be taught how to recover an aircraft – the theory and flight school will teach you how to prevent such things from occurring.

Yes, there are components of theory that you need to learn and not all of it will have you jumping out of your seat. However, the more you can absorb the better pilot you’ll become.

What Aspiring Pilots Can Hope to Learn

Given that aviation theory in ground, school teaches you essential knowledge for flight training in Australia, let’s take a look at the subjects. All Australian flight training and aviation licences (RPL, PPL, CPL) cover the following topics as a minimum:

Flight rules and air law
Aerodynamics
Meteorology
Navigation
Flight Planning
Power Plants
Aircraft Systems
Human Factors

That’s not all though. Within each of these subjects is a range of areas you’ll explore in your flight training course. After each major topic, you’ll then go through a review and then undertake an exam.

Aviation Theory Makes a Better Pilot

If you really want a Bachelor’s Degree, you should choose something other than aviation. A Bachelor’s in the fields of IT or accounting would be a smarter choice. If COVID or a significant economic downturn occurred, you would be qualified for other industries and it would protect you as a pilot.

What is the Suggested Pathway for Becoming a Pilot?

Learning aviation theory in ground school will make your time in the aircraft much more comprehensive and useful. That’s because you already have a fundamental understanding of what to expect and how to act before you step into the aircraft. The classroom theory and practical aircraft experience are both required to become a good pilot. You can’t be a pilot if you only complete one of them, as they work together to bond your understanding of theory and physical experience.

In a classroom environment, you don’t have the pressures of needing to fly a plane or navigate. You’re focused. That means that you are more able to comprehend and digest the information. Similarly, it means you are learning to work with your instructor and other students to master the theory behind aviation. For nearly every learning requirement in your flight training in Australia, you will first learn the fundamentals in the classroom. Following that, you’ll learn to apply the theory in the aircraft.

Considering the knowledge you cover in ground school, it’s easy to understand how it makes a better pilot. If you have never learnt about control surfaces and aircraft behaviour, do you really want to find out in the sky? Definitely not! The point is that you learn something, then apply it.

Ready To Start Ground School?

Now you know that aviation theory and ground school provide essential knowledge for flight training in Australia. It’s time to start training! Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

What Else Should I Know?

We’ve compiled a few useful posts that might help you out. Where ever you are on your aviation journey, the team at Learn To Fly Melbourne are here to help. We want you to pass your exams and have an excellent career! So, please reach out if we can help support you through your course and studies!

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.

Aspiring Career Pilots – Here’s Why You Need a Diploma of Aviation
With so many different types of aviation qualifications out there, which one should you choose? And which Melbourne flight school do you approach? These can be tricky questions to answer, so let us help you out.

Flight Instructor Rating – The Perfect Start For New Commercial Pilot Graduates
What is the best way to get started and set yourself on the right career path for your dream pilot job? In our opinion, it all starts with a Flight Instructor Rating. Let’s find out why!

Flight Instructor Training Endorsements – All You Need To Know
In this blog we’ll outline the Flight Instructor Training Endorsements that are available. We’ll also guide you on how each of these endorsements can add value to your role as a Flight Instructor and your progression as a professional pilot.

Understanding The Basics of Flight: How Planes Work & What Makes Them Fly

Posted on May 25, 2023June 2, 2023 by Kai

In the history of mankind, aircraft have achieved incredible engineering feats. High-speed flights, heavy payloads, and precise maneuvers are accomplished by modern aircraft with remarkable control. By capitalizing on specific forces, pilots harness the ability to propel aircraft through the sky in a controlled manner. The vast operational variety of aircraft designs today stems from their distinct aerodynamic, practical, or utility purposes, necessitating different approaches to managing flight principles. With this in mind, we can now work on our understanding of the basics of flight: how planes work and what makes them fly.

The Laws of Motion

To understand the flight of an aircraft, let’s first take a quick refresher on Newton’s three laws of motion. In short, the three laws of motion can be stated as follows:

1. If an object is not moving, it will not start moving by itself. If an object is moving, it will not stop or change direction unless something pushes it.

2. Objects will move farther and faster when they are pushed harder.

3. When an object is pushed in one direction, there is always an equal resistance in the opposite direction.

Now that we have these motion principles in mind, llet’s look at the Four Main Principles of Flight.

The Four Main Principles of Flight

To help you understand the basics of flight, let’s delve into flight principles. We can summarise airplane flight using four main principles: lift, weight, thrust, and drag. These principles represent opposing forces. Weight is the opposite of lift, while drag opposes thrust. Achieving a balance among these forces ensures successful flight. Now, let’s examine each of the four main flight principles in greater detail.

Lift

Lift is the force that pushes the aircraft upwards. The aircraft’s wings are designed to be an aerofoil, which means that the wing’s shape creates an aerodynamic reaction (lift). This component is especially important for flight, so we will cover this more in a moment.

Gravity (Weight)

Gravity is the opposing force to lift, which pushes an aircraft downwards. Gravity’s direction is not merely downward; it specifically points towards the center of the Earth. Additionally, gravity’s influence varies with an aircraft’s size or mass – larger aircraft experience a greater gravitational impact, necessitating more lift.

Thrust

Thrust propels the aircraft forward, differing from lift and gravitational pull as it involves the mechanical input of energy from an engine or turbine.

Drag

Drag opposes the aircraft’s motion, generated by frictional airflow over its surface, hindering flight. If drag has a factor of ‘1’, the aircraft requires more than a factor of ‘1’ in thrust energy to move forward. Air displacement causes the drag force, as the aircraft must push air aside, resulting in a reactionary force in accordance with Newton’s third law of motion.

Exceptions and Considerations to The Principles of Flight

Now that we’ve explained the principles and basics of flight, we know how an aircraft successfully moves through the sky. That being said, the relationship between these forces can be somewhat utilised in different ways.

Take a glider as an example. While it needs initial thrust and energy to reach altitude, it can sustain forward momentum for extended periods by employing various flight techniques to achieve a balance in the principles of flight. This involves utilizing thermals, leveraging gravitational pull for efficient lift, and minimizing drag to generate momentum. Another option is a hot air balloon, which employs thermal energy for lift and relies on wind for momentum.

Wing Design, Aerofoils & Aerodynamics

Although aerodynamics is a complex science, we can simplify the basics of flight for understanding. Aerofoils and wing designs play a crucial role. Thousands of wings, each designed as a different aerofoil, serve various purposes and adhere to distinct aerodynamic principles. Larger wings generate substantial lift, while smaller ones or those designed for high lift have higher drag. These principles are applied in STOL (short take-off or landing) aircraft.

If you can imagine a cross-section of a wing, most of them follow the same flight principle. That is, when air passes over the wing, the air above the wing travels faster and at a reduced pressure, and the air beneath at a slower pace and higher pressure. With low pressure above and high pressure beneath, naturally, there is a want for the wings of the aircraft to go up and equalise these air zones. Now, there is more than one way of explaining this – and it can become a widely-debated topic – but you can understand why the wing causes the aircraft to experience lift.

Control Surfaces and Aircraft Design

Once an aircraft has sufficient forward momentum to sustain the basics of flight, a pilot then has a variety of controls and control surfaces to enable the pilot to manipulate the aircraft’s motion. These controls involve rolls, yaw, and pitch.

1. Ailerons on the wings allow the pilot to ‘roll’ the aircraft left and right, which is useful for turning the aircraft around the front-to-back axis.

2. The rudder changes the yaw of the aircraft from side to side, which assists in rotating the aircraft around the vertical axis.

3. The elevator changes the pitch of the aircraft, up and down, around the side-to-side axis.

Aircraft also can feature additional control elements, such as flaps, to support controlled flight. Flaps, for example, increase the wings’ surface area to produce additional lift. This is useful for exercises like landing so that aircraft can touch down at slower speeds without gravitational forces overcoming flight.

And That’s How Planes Fly!

Congratulations! You now have a solid grasp of the fundamentals of flight, including how planes operate and the principles behind their ability to fly. If you desire a deeper understanding, the instructors at Learn To Fly Melbourne are eager to assist you and can even arrange a trial flight experience.

Are you ready to join the evolving world of aviation?

Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

What Else Should I Know?

We’ve compiled a few useful posts that might help you out. Where ever you are on your aviation journey, the team at Learn To Fly Melbourne are here to help. We want you to pass your exams and have an excellent career, so please reach out if we can help support you through your course and studies!

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.

Transitioning From Recreational Pilot to Professional Pilot

Posted on April 20, 2023June 10, 2023 by Kai

Transitioning from being a recreational pilot to becoming a professional pilot can be the dream for many. For some, this journey becomes apparent because they started flying purely for recreational reasons, but found it to be so exhilarating that it turned into a career aspiration. Others find themselves wanting to transition from being a recreational pilot to a professional pilot because they wanted to try recreational aviation before committing to the career move. Whatever reason you’re here, let’s talk through transitioning from recreational pilot to professional pilot.

What Type of Professional Pilots Are There?

There are two categories of professional pilots to cover here. The first professional pilot category is flying instructors. Professional flying instructors have completed their fundamental aviation training to qualify for their pilot licence. Furthermore, professional flying instructors have completed additional aviation training to become a Grade 1, Grade 2 or Grade 3 flying instructor. Each of these grades carries different privileges on what the instructor can oversee and sign-off.

If you’re looking to read more on becoming a professional flying instructor, we have put together a number of posts that tell you all about it:

Flight Instructor Training Endorsements – All You Need To Know

Flight Instructor Rating – A Flying Start To Your Pilot Career

Pilot Profile: Chun Ki – From Student Pilot to Flight Instructor

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before

Flight Instructor Rating – The Perfect Start For New Commercial Pilot Graduates

The second category of professional pilots are commercial licenced pilots who are paid to fly aircraft in a variety of operations. This could include freight, passenger transport operations through a regional airline or an international airline, aerial observation pilots or more. We’ve written up a number of these career options in our post ‘A Guide To Professional Aviation Careers’.

What Are The Pathways To Transition From Recreational Pilot to Professional Pilot?

There are a number of ways you can become a professional pilot. If you’re looking to become a flying instructor, then the above posts are the best place to start. If you’re looking to become a commercial pilot who is paid for one of the many professional aviation careers that will become available to you, here are some pathways you can consider.

#1 Enjoy Commercial Aviation Training at an Aviation Flight School

If you’ve started training with a flight school, you can actually continue with the process. This can be with your current flight school or you’re able to transfer – Learn To Fly is accepting students all the time from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

There are some significant benefits of doing it this way. Firstly, the training is usually less expensive that your other options. Secondly, your training will be based around your experience, background and competency. This means that your background and training will come directly into consideration for your aviation flight training, which saves you both time and money.

Additionally, you can have the opportunity to start working with your flight school as a flying instructor, which will help build your hours and provide an income. Many of the Learn To Fly instructors have also been students with us!

You might decide to undertake an RPL, then PPL and CPL pathway, or you might want to undertake your Diploma of Aviation (CPL) or Diploma of Aviation (Instrument Rating).

#2 Study Aviation Diploma or Bachelor

Some professional pilots may suggest that becoming a pilot through studying a diploma is a good option. This path has some positive aspects. For example, it aims to help you complete the syllabus and become a qualified commercial pilot. It also has a structured and routine approach similar to a university, which may appeal to some.

That being said, there are some downsides to consider, too. Most pilots who have gone down this path will also tell you it’s expensive. Many pilots finish with a significant debt. Secondly, there are absolutely no guarantees of employment when you’re complete. This means it might be tough paying off that debt for a while.

Depending on where you’re at with your recreational flying, you might not receive credit or Recognition for Prior Learning. This means that you might be starting again, even if you have some aviation training and experience under your belt.

With all of this in mind, there are some universities that have partnered with aviation training schools such as Learn To Fly to develop a commercial aviation training program that is very popular. For example, you can complete your Bachelor of Aviation through Learn To Fly, which is with Griffith University. This means that you’re undertaking a university course, but can have the benefits of a professional aviation training school and the potential employment opportunities and prospects that come with this.

#3 Aviation Academies

There are a number of aviation academies, largely run by airlines like Qantas. The upside is that it’s a valid and viable pathway to becoming a commercial pilot. The downsides are that it’s strictly limited for spaces and you often ‘owe’ the airlines a few years of your career. This is essentially the airline making sure they get their worth from you. A job isn’t guaranteed, either, so you can still carry a debt at the completion of your training. Similar to the university option, you’ll usually start the training from scratch and you may not receive full (or any) credits or Recognition for Prior Learning.

What Pathway Do I follow?

Only you can decide which pathway is best for you, transitioning from recreational pilot to professional pilot. However, at Learn To Fly, we have all the expertise you could need to help you answer it.

Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

What Else Should I Know?

We’ve compiled a few useful posts that might help you out. Where ever you are on your aviation journey, the team at Learn To Fly Melbourne are here to help. We want you to pass your exams and have an excellent career, so please reach out if we can help support you through your course and studies!

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.

Advancing Your Flight Skills: A Guide to Multi-Engine Training

Posted on April 4, 2023April 20, 2023 by Kai

‘Advancing Your Flight Skills: A Guide to Multi-Engine Training’ is for pilots wanting to expand their skills. Multi-engine flight training is the next step if you plan to take on more complex aircraft. Multi-engine aircraft have two or more engines. This added complexity requires specialized training to ensure the safety and proficiency of the pilot.

Multi-Engine Rating: A Whole New Aviation World

The multi-engine training path opens up a whole new range of opportunities in aviation. These skills are an essential requirement for a commercial pilot licence. Additionally, there are other benefits, such as engine redundancy and travel capability.

To start multi-engine training, you’ll need to have your Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL).

Multi-Engine Training – The First Step

The first step in multi-engine flight training is ground school. Here, students will learn the basic principles of multi-engine aircraft systems. This engine operation, systems, and emergency procedures. From there, students will move on to flight training in a multi-engine aircraft. This starts with basic maneuvers and gradually works up to more advanced techniques.

Principles and Techniques

An important aspect of multi-engine flight training is mastering the art of engine management. This involves learning to operate and maintain the engines, including starting, stopping and running checks. Additionally, you’ll need to manage the effects of engine failure and learn how to respond.

Another key aspect of multi-engine flight training is mastering the aircraft systems. These are systems such as the electrical, fuel, and pressurization systems. These systems are critical to the safe operation of the aircraft. This means that understanding how they work is essential for maintaining aircraft control in different flight conditions.

The Multi-Engine Training Journey

As you progress through your multi-engine flight training, you will have the opportunity to take advanced courses. This means you can earn additional certifications, such as instructor ratings. These certifications open up a wide range of career opportunities for you. It could be flying for a major airline or working as a charter or corporate pilot.

Multi-Engine Training Challenges

Multi-engine flight training is not without its challenges. It requires a significant investment of time, money, and dedication. Additionally, there is added complexity when compared to a single-engine aircraft. This is because you need to monitor and control multiple engines and be familiar with the different systems. If you are passionate about flying, the rewards of multi-engine training are worth the effort!

What Else Should I Know?

The next step is to download the Multi-Engine Class Rating Course Guide. This has all the fundamental information you’ll need. Once you’ve read this information, get in touch with Learn To Fly Melbourne or fill out the enrolment form.

6 Reasons Private Pilots Should Get Multi-Engine Flight Training
Why private pilots should go for other endorsements and add-on ratings like instrument flight and multi-engine flight training.

Training Beyond The Private Pilot Licence (PPL)
After completing your Private Pilot Licence, you might wonder, “What’s next?” As strange as it may sound, many pilots are still keen to do more training after achieving their initial goals. Realistically, if you want to fly regularly or as a job, learning is ongoing. Let’s take a look at training beyond the Private Pilot Licence.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Pilot Licence
This post will help you get the most out of your pilot licence in easy steps.

Chat to one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

Aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP)

Posted on March 21, 2023November 3, 2023 by Kai

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has designated English as the standard language for radio communication and procedures in aviation worldwide. As the governing body for all aeronautical communication, ICAO is responsible for enforcing this international standard. However, for non-native English-speaking pilots, this can be an intimidating prospect. Even for those whose first language is English, it can still be challenging. To help you understand and navigate this topic, we will be discussing English Language Proficiency in Aviation. So, read on, and you’ll soon have a better grasp of the subject!

Why do we need Aviation English?

English has been established as the standard language for radio communication and procedures in aviation on a global level. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is tasked with the responsibility of enforcing this standardization across all aeronautical communication. For pilots who do not speak English as their first language, using it can be daunting. However, even those for whom English is their native language may find it challenging. To help you better understand and navigate this topic, we will delve into English Language Proficiency in Aviation. So, keep reading, and in no time, you’ll be well-versed in the subject!

Proficiency Is Key

ICAO places a significant emphasis on achieving English Language Proficiency Level 4 as the minimum operational level for pilots in aviation. Meeting these language requirements is a necessity for pilots who use aeronautical radios. To attain this level of proficiency, pilots must undergo an aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) test that evaluates their verbal skills in English, specifically in aviation terminology. To hold an AELP as a pilot, you must also possess a Recreational Pilot Licence (RPL) with a Flight Radio Endorsement, a Private Pilot Licence (PPL), a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), or an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL).

What is involved in the English Language Proficiency Test in Aviation?

To start, you must find an approved assessor for the aviation English Language Proficiency (AELP) test. According to CASA’s guidelines, the assessment typically lasts between 20 and 30 minutes.

The evaluation will focus specifically on your pronunciation, sentence structure, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and interactions. You will receive a score between 1 and 6 for each category, and the lowest score will be used as your overall rating. To pass the assessment, you must achieve a minimum proficiency level of ‘4,’ as stipulated by ICAO.

The test aims to determine your ability to communicate effectively in both voice-only and face-to-face situations. Additionally, you should be able to discuss common and work-related topics with accuracy and clarity while using appropriate communicative strategies to exchange messages and resolve misunderstandings. You should also be capable of handling linguistic challenges presented by unexpected events or complications in familiar work situations. Lastly, you should use a dialect or accent that is understandable to the aeronautical community.

What Does the Test Involve?

The AELP test mainly consists of questions and audio recordings. During the test, you will receive various passages where English is used in an aviation context, and you will be required to provide responses and interpretations. For instance, you may listen to a two-way communication via a radio and need to comprehend and explain the events that have taken place.

How Does the ICAO Rating Apply?

The performance rating system for the aviation English Language Proficiency test uses a scale of 1 to 6 for each area of assessment. A score of 6 is deemed ‘expert’, 5 is ‘Extended’, and 4 is ‘operational’ – all of which are considered sufficient. However, if you receive a score of 3 (‘pre-operational’), 2 (‘elementary’), or 1 (‘pre-elementary’), you will not pass the test. A minimum score of ‘4’ is required to pass, which means achieving the following outcomes:

Pronunciation: Regional or first language influences may sometimes affect pronunciation, but they do not usually impede understanding.
Structure: The speaker can usually control and creatively use basic grammatical structures and sentence patterns. Errors may occur in unusual situations, but they rarely impact meaning.
Vocabulary: The speaker generally has adequate vocabulary range and accuracy in communicating effectively on common, concrete, and work-related topics. They can often rephrase effectively in unexpected circumstances where vocabulary is lacking.
Fluency: The speaker can produce language at an appropriate pace, with occasional loss of fluency when transitioning from rehearsed to spontaneous speech. The use of discourse markers or connectors is limited, and fillers are not distracting.
Comprehension: The speaker can usually comprehend common, concrete, and work-related topics accurately, even with varied accents or dialects. However, due to linguistic or situational complications or unexpected events, comprehension may slow down or require clarification.

The following table summarizes the six assessment areas and the corresponding rating system.

The ICAO English Language Proficiency assessment matrix. You must score a minimum of 4 in all columns to pass.

How Often Should I Do The AELP?

Your proficiency in English language for aviation purposes will be retested every 6 years. If you scored a 6, you do not have to retake the test as it does not expire. On the other hand, if you scored a 4, you have the chance to improve your score to a 5 or 6 in your next assessment. However, it is also possible to score lower since each test result is independent of the previous one.

What Is Different Between GELP & AELP?

The GELP (Global English Language Proficiency) test evaluates your proficiency in using English in everyday situations and differs from the language assessment test for aviation purposes. It is intended for individuals who are new to aviation training or who utilize aviation air-band radios, like those holding a Recreational Pilot Licence without a Flight Radio Endorsement, or for those

Is anything Else Should I Know?

At Learn To Fly Melbourne, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve your aviation goals. That’s why we’ve curated some useful posts that could benefit you. No matter where you are in your aviation journey, our team is always available to provide guidance and assistance. We’re committed to your success, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require any help with your course or studies!

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.

Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

A Guide To Professional Aviation Careers

Posted on March 9, 2023March 9, 2023 by Kai

Aviation can be an incredible journey for you. You’re allowed to dream and you’re allowed to have fun – that’s why we’ve put together a guide to professional aviation careers!

Aviation is a world filled with opportunity. With opportunities comes the need to make decisions: what is the aviation career path for you? One of the most important considerations in making these decisions is that you don’t have to make one choice. You can actually make multiple. For example, you might choose to fly recreationally, before joining the Australian Defence Forces. Or you might choose to be an instructor whilst you increase your hours on your way to becoming a Royal Flying Doctor Service pilot or a Commercial Airline pilot.

If you’re in the process of thinking about what you’d like to do with your aviation career, here is a brief guide to professional aviation careers to help.

Become A Flying Instructor

The first aviation career option, in our guide to professional aviation careers, happens to be the most attainable option. A flying instructor! Once you complete your basic training, it’s not a huge leap to becoming a flight instructor and getting paid to fly. Once an instructor, you may decide you like it and keep going – many pilots do! But given you’ll be getting paid to fly, you’ll also be increasing your hours and experience which can open doors to other aviation career options.

There are different levels of instructors (mainly Grade 1, 2 and 3), with Grade 1 instructors being the most senior. The difference between each level is what student (or instructor) operations you can sign off. You can find out more about our Flying Instructor courses here.

Fixed Wing Military Pilot

Australia’s defence forces include a range of aviation-based roles that might be the right fit for you. Pairing world-class training and equipment with a supportive team-based career, it’s easy to understand why some people love this option.

Jobs can include a Fixed Wing Pilot, a Fast Jet Pilot, or a range of aeronautical support options.

If you’re aiming for the military, you have the option to start from scratch with your application. That being said, you can also commence your aviation dreams and start learning to fly, then transfer into a military role to continue your education and training. The benefit of the latter is you can try and enjoy aviation before you commit to military requirements and minimum terms of service.

Chartered Flight Operations Pilot

Chartered flights occur every day for one reason or another. From tourism and sightseeing flights to private charters and specialised transport, pilots on chartered flight operations are required to be flexible and available to suit the passengers or cargo.

This career option can be a nice change from RPT flight operations on larger airlines, and chartered flight operations are typically in smaller aircraft which can feel more adventurous. This can also be a great stepping stone if you’re trying to advance your career towards a more specialised or senior aviation position, such as advancing to regional or international airlines.

Additionally, some chartered flight operations are flexible in that you can have another income or profession at the same time, rather than flying full-time. If this sounds like it could be you, then this is a career option to look into!

Regional Airline Pilot

Regional airlines are known for repeat passenger transport operations on small and mid-sized aircraft. You might be flying to Australia’s large airports as well as smaller regional airports. This might include Rex, Air Link, Air North, Alliance Airlines, Hinterland Aviation or another airline. Some of them are much smaller, others are bigger and more frequent.

If your end game is becoming a commercial airline pilot, then this is a very common and sensible option to advance your career towards your goal.

Royal Flying Doctor Service

In our guide to professional aviation careers, this is a big dream for many pilots so we’ll cover it more thoroughly! The Royal Flying Doctor Service is a rich piece of Australian history, dating back over 100 years from when Reverend John Flynn first founded the aeromedical service. The RFDS has five different aircraft in the fleet:

1. The Pilatus PC-12
2. The Pilatus PC-24 (used in SA/NT and WA)
3. The King Air B350 C
4. The King Air B200 C (used in Qld, NSW, Victoria and Tasmania)
5. and the new Beechcraft King Air 360CHW turboprop aircraft (used in QLD).

Being a critical medical aviation service, the Royal Flying Doctor Service has a high standard for its pilots. It’s quite an achievement to become a pilot for the RFDS.

For an aeromedical pilot, the RFDS typically looks for:

Hold a current Command Instrument Rating with four or more renewals – preference for Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating
Hold a current Australian ATPL or CPL
Hold a current Australian Class 1 medical in Single Pilot Operations
4,000 hours of flying time in total
2,000 hours as Pilot in Command
1,000 as Pilot in Command of Multi-engine aircraft
200 hours as Pilot in Command at night
200 hours of instrument time
Turbine Experience

For Primary Health Care Pilots (Pressurised Aircraft), they typically look for:

Hold a current Command Instrument Rating with three or more renewals – preference for Multi-Engine Command Instrument Rating
Hold a current Australian ATPL or CPL
Hold a current Australian Class 1 medical in Single Pilot Operations
3,000 hours of flying time in total
1,500 hours as Pilot in Command
1,000 as Pilot in Command of Multi-engine aircraft
150 hours as Pilot in Command at night
150 hours of instrument time
Turbine Experience
Three instrument rating renewals

Additionally, they will typically look for the following:

Australian Citizenship, Residency or approved work Visa
An Australian Command Multi Engine Instrument Rating, or military equivalent
Undergo a pre-employment drug and alcohol test
Maintain a current Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC),
Hold a current driver’s licence
Hold a Blue Card issued by the Commission for Children and Young People.

Domestic Airline Pilot or International Airline Pilot

Becoming a First Officer on a Boeing 737…what a dream!

Generally speaking, you generally become a domestic airline pilot first and then gain enough experience before turning to international airlines and flights. Gaining entry into domestic and international airlines can be achieved. The best approach is to look at the entry requirements for consideration and then work backwards to understand what it is you need to do.

If there are several thousand hours required for a First Officer position, work back to what positions or jobs you could hold to gain those hours. Don’t give up – stay focussed and you can live that dream.

For an airline like Virgin Australia, a First Officer applicant for a 737 will have:

A current Australian ATPL or Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and passes in all Australian ATPL theory subjects
Australian Instrument Rating with MEA, IAP 2D and IAP 3D endorsement- English language proficiency Level 6
A valid Australian Class 1 Medical Certificate
Have a minimum total flight time of 500 hours with 300 hours in command of a powered fixed-wing aircraft (excluding ICUS), which includes 200 hours in command of a multi-engine aircraft (excluding ICUS), or
Have a minimum total flight time of 500 hours with 300 hours in command of a turbine-powered fixed-wing aircraft, or
Have a minimum total flight time of 500 hours on aircraft certified for operation by a crew of at least 2 pilots (multi-crew aircraft).

Other Jobs

Still looking beyond our guide to professional aviation careers? There are also other career options throughout the aviation industry that might be worth looking into if they interest you. For example, there are surveillance aircraft that need pilots, ferrying pilots, and test pilots – there are plenty of aviation positions available!

It all starts with getting your licence, then adding your endorsements, and then working towards your dream position step by step. It’s been done before, so you can do it too!

If you’re not sure where to start, or if you’re ready to advance your aviation career to the next level, now is your chance to get in touch with our team at Learn To Fly!

What Else Should I Know?

We’ve compiled a few useful posts that might help you out. Where ever you are on your aviation journey, the team at Learn To Fly Melbourne are here to help. We want you to pass your exams and have an excellent career, so please reach out if we can help support you through your course and studies!

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.

Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.

Common Misconceptions About Becoming an Airline Pilot

Posted on February 28, 2023February 28, 2023 by Kai

Flying lessons, cadet pilot interview preparation, and flight training are all part of the process of becoming an airline pilot. But once you’ve been accepted into training, what’s next?

When you think about becoming an airline pilot, you probably have visions of flying worldwide and seeing the sights from above. You might even imagine yourself being able to take off and land anywhere in the world. While these are all great things about being an airline pilot, there are some misconceptions people have about what it’s like to be a commercial airline pilot.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some common misconceptions about becoming an airline pilot.

Myths Debunked: 5 Misconceptions About an Airplane Pilot

The airline industry is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and challenging professions in the world.

An airline pilot flies for an airline. He or she is responsible for flying a large complex aircraft that can safely transport hundreds of people from one place to another.

Airline pilots are in high demand, but there are misconceptions about what it takes to become an airline pilot.

Here are five myths debunked:

Myth # 1: You have to be wealthy to become an airline pilot

While it’s true that pilot training can be expensive, it’s money well spent. If you go into aviation as a career, you may expect to make 33 times as much money as you put into your education and related costs.

The exams you’ll take to get into aviation schools are similar to those you’ll take to get into any other kind of school; they’re designed to help you learn more about your skills and shortcomings. It’s not as tough as you would think to get into aviation school. The school is equipped to teach you the necessary mechanical and technical skills for the course if you have none already. Tools are available to help you improve your abilities and address your weaknesses.

Also, the Australian Commonwealth Government’s Vet Student Loans (VSL) programme provides financial aid to qualified full-fee paying students so that they may focus on their studies rather than their finances. So, they may go to school, get a job in their field, and pay back their loans over the course of their working life.

Learn To Fly Australia is a VET course provider that is dedicated to helping the future generation of pilots succeed in the aviation industry.

Myth # 2: If you wear glasses, you can’t be a pilot

Some people who wear glasses think that they cannot become pilots. This is a misconception because most airlines have no restrictions on the type of glasses that can be worn when flying. If your vision impairment can be corrected with glasses or contacts, you can legally pilot an aeroplane. The only requirement is that they must not interfere with the flight instruments or vision.

Myth # 3: AUTOPILOT performs the tasks

The notion is so offensive that it threatens the profession of commercial aircraft pilots. However, once at cruising altitude, the plane does not fly itself, despite what many skilled pilots say. There are several instruments and technologies available to help pilots out when they’re in the air. However, it still requires a skilled expert to make the necessary changes depending on the data they’re presented with to keep the plane aloft.

Myth # 4: Establishing a family is challenging

The long hours that pilots put in away from home might be seen as a perk of the work by some or a major drawback by others, depending on their personality. While some people in the aviation industry may spend a lot of time on the go, airlines have made it a priority in recent years to create work schedules that allow pilots to be on duty for multiple days before getting almost as many days off as they are on.

Myth # 5: Becoming a pilot can make you wealthy

Airline pilot salary is not as obscenely high as some people think. However, most pilots employed with an airline are able to make a decent living wage. Even pilots who are towards the end of their careers can still make well over six figures. In Australia, the average pilot salary is $105,756 per year, which is well above the median Australian salary of $65,000.

However, almost all students must take out sizable debts to cover the cost of tuition, and there is no assurance that they will find employment upon graduation. A lot of rookie pilots start with debts of over $130,000.

A Career Path as An Airline Pilot Is Achievable with The Right Training and Commitment!

The aviation community is filled with misconceptions about what it takes to become an airline pilot. There are many requirements and long hours, but it’s not impossible. You just need to be willing to put in the work.

Flying lessons are the first step in becoming a pilot, but they’re not the only ones. To become an airline pilot, you need to be committed to your career and willing to put in the work. You should have a passion for aviation and a desire to learn new things daily. If you can do this, then becoming an airline pilot is not only achievable, but it’s also rewarding!

At Learn to Fly, we offer flying lessons for all experience levels and ages. Our instructors will help you become a better pilot with their knowledge and expertise. We also offer preparations for cadet pilot interviews so that you can get an idea of what it’s like to be an airline pilot from someone who has been there before! Whether you want to be an airline pilot or simply enjoy flying as a hobby, we can help you get there!

Pilot Profile: Chun Ki – From Student Pilot to Flight Instructor

Posted on February 26, 2023February 26, 2023 by Kai

Chun Ki (Peter) Cheung was born in Hong Kong before he moved to Australia with big dreams of aviation. He started his training at the age of 18, completing his CPL, MECIR and FIR training with Learn to Fly. Upon completion, his aviation employment began immediately – with us, as a Grade 3 instructor! Our PILOT PROFILE: Chun Ki’s post aims to follow Chun Ki’s footsteps so that you can learn from his achievements.

Before beginning his aviation journey, Chun Ki had the option of going to university and completing an aviation degree. But this isn’t always the best pathway to take. Now at the age of 22, Chun Ki has over 1,100 flying hours logged and he will become a Grade 1 instructor within a few months from now. Better still, he now has the choice of completing a part-time or online Bachelor’s degree, or he can focus on flying and in 1 or 2 years’ time he’ll be very eligible for an airline job if he wants one. Or, he could even be a flight examiner by the age of 24 or 25. He has plenty of options and opportunities!

We caught up with Chun Ki to ask about his goals and what he’s learnt during his aviation journey. If Chun Ki’s journey sounds like it could be for you, read on and enjoy PILOT PROFILE: Chun Ki!

When you were looking at your aviation study options, what were the considerations you were weighing?

Chun Ki:

The big items for me were the qualification I would be obtaining, and the career opportunities thereafter. The most common pathways are usually through university or a private flight school. The question was, ‘are there major differences in the qualifications from both?’. The answer is no – the pilot licence at the end is the exact same piece of paper, regardless of where you obtained it. The next question was ‘which would be better?’. From my perspective, the university degree didn’t contribute much to your flying experience when it comes to employment, and it’s expensive – without any guarantees of employment. This is why the private flying school was the better option for me.

**What led you to study with Learn To Fly (LTF), rather than another option like a university?**

Chun Ki:

I was first signing up with LTF under their job guarantee program. Basically, I will be doing all my training with LTF and at the end, I will be employed as a flight instructor under LTF. Becoming a flight instructor is a great way to build up your flying hours before applying to any airline. It also increases your competitiveness among other pilots. I selected LTF rather than university because of the time duration and cost. University is costly and involved a lot of extra assessments and assignments for your Bachelor’s Degree. This also means the duration is much longer, in comparison to a private flight school.

What are your long-term goals in aviation, and how do you think you’ll be able to achieve it/them?

Chun Ki:

Working for airlines flying the big birds one day! I am building up my hours and widening my range of experience (multiengine hours etc.).

What are your short-term goals in aviation, and how do you think you will be able to achieve them?

Chun Ki:

I am looking to get my Multi-Engine Training Endorsement (META), Instrument Rating Training Endorsement (IRTE) and Grade 1 Flight Instructor Rating before turning 23 years old. It would be a significant milestone in my career. I am spending my spare time looking up the course briefs and information in preparation for actually starting the training.

Given the aviation journey you’ve followed, what are the main lessons you’ve learned that you think others could benefit from?

Chun Ki:

Do not let external factors get into your decision-making process, in terms of ‘should you go up or not?’.

When you began, did you have the same goals that you have now? Or have they changed?

Chun Ki:

Personally, my goals have always been the same. Still, I’ve found new goals have arisen through my training. For example, becoming a better instructor than yesterday.

You could be a flight examiner very soon – do you think you will do that, and if so, what is the attraction for you?

Chun Ki:

There is still a long way to go. You will need to be a G1 Flight Instructor for at least 12 months, with all other extra hours and requirements. However, I would love to become a flight examiner if I have a chance. I’d love to witness the new generation of pilots growing from flight test to flight test

You started as a G3 instructor, and soon you could be a G1 instructor. What has been beneficial about the training and qualification in your experiences?

Chun Ki:

I was only 19 years old when I was granted my flight instructor rating. Working as a flight instructor is more than ‘just being an instructor’ – It has a huge influence on my personal development and growth in all aspects. For example, I’ve learned how to adjust my approach to different age groups of students. The higher your grade you are, the more responsibilities you have. As a G2, you are able to send First Solo. And for G1, you are able to supervise G3 instructors. (Just FYI, if you are a G3 instructor, you will need to have supervision from a G1 instructor before your flight). I can definitely see myself growing with my job.

In our Pilot Profile we’re always looking for key lessons, Chun Ki! If someone else followed in your footsteps, what are the other opportunities or careers that they might want to consider?

Chun Ki:

Upon finishing the MECIR, it increases the range of opportunities for employment. Other options I could have taken were becoming a Jump Pilot, or a Charter Pilot up to the north. These are the most common pathways, rather than becoming a flight instructor to build up hours. Not everyone will be interested in instructing people in a way. If you keep your options open, you will find out what is best for you whilst you are still learning.

So there is it! That’s our Pilot Profile on Chun Ki (Peter) Cheung. If you’d like to get in touch with Learn To Fly to start your pilot training, hat with one of our flight training specialists by emailing [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour!

Pilot Profile: Chun Ki on his first solo, September 2018

What Else Should I Know?

We’ve compiled a few useful posts that might help you out. Where ever you are on your aviation journey, the team at Learn To Fly Melbourne are here to help. We want you to pass your exams and have an excellent career, so please reach out if we can help support you through your course and studies!

Becoming A Flight Instructor – More Important Now Than Ever Before
We’ll discuss some of the benefits that explain why becoming a flight instructor is more important now than ever before.

Airspace & Safety Notice For Avalon Airshow 2023

Posted on February 16, 2023February 16, 2023 by Kai

The Australian International Airshow at Avalon Airport will be open to the public from Friday the 3rd to Sunday the 5th of March 2023.

To facilitate flying displays, flight crew practising routines and the arrival and departure of
participating aircraft, the airspace around Avalon Airport will be temporarily restricted for the protection of everyone. Temporary Restricted Areas are in place from Monday, February 20th to Monday, March 6th.

Changes To Airspace and Procedures

There have been changes to the dimensions of the Temporary Restricted Areas (TRA) from previous events and TRA activity times have been extended to include the week preceding the airshow.

Avalon East will not be available for aircraft flying in. Lethbridge Aerodrome (YLED) has been nominated as an alternate with a bus ferry service carrying participants to Avalon. Anticipate a large volume of traffic into and out of YLED from Friday 03/03/2023 to Sunday 05/03/2023.

Temporary Restricted Areas

Temporary Restricted Areas (TRA) will be active from 02 200100 to 03 060700 UTC (12:00 on 20/02/2023 to 18:00 on 06/03/2023).

Check ML FIR NOTAM (YMMM) for changes. C158/23, C160/23 & C161/23 are currently on issue.

Significant Issues

Caution must be exercised navigating in the vicinity of the Avalon TRA to avoid infringing the restricted airspace and to avoid AIRPROX with increased traffic densities.

1. YMAV Class D and overlying Class E become restricted airspace from ground level to FL245.

2. Class E airspace to the north and south of YMAV becomes restricted airspace from 1500ft to FL245.

3. Airspace within 12nm DME west of AV becomes restricted airspace from 1500ft – FL245.

4. Limited terrain clearance west of YMAV in the vicinity of Mount Anakie (Elev. 1306 feet).

5. Large volume of traffic operating into and out of YMAV.

6. Large volume of traffic operating into and out of YLED.

AUSTRALIAN-INTERNATIONAL-AIRSHOW-AVALON-TEMPORARY-RESTRICTED-AIRSPACE-2023

Chat with one of our flight training specialists to get your pilot training off the ground. Email [email protected] or go to https://drift.me/learntofly/meeting to book a meeting and school tour.