Given that there are a number of different flight schools around the place and some excellent self-study materials, why did I choose to enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Aviation at UniSA?
The most important factor was money: enrolling in the Graduate Diploma has given me access to FEE-HELP, a kind of Commonwealth student loan that attracts no interest and is paid back through taxation once earnings go beyond a certain threshold. Through this, I have been able to defer the previously prohibitive cost of learning to fly. The overall amount through this route is probably a bit higher than going through normal channels - the tuition fees come to $82,000 instead of something like $65,000. However, there may be some advantages in that it is a structured program that goes beyond the minimum requirements of the various license types, in that I will gain a degree from a reputable university, and in that I may make some good contacts within the university that will help me gain experience and employment after I'm done. Being a full-time student also gives me access to Austudy, which will help to supplement my slightly reduced income from work.
Good for me. None of this would be possible if I hadn't been lucky enough to get into Honours after my fairly crappy undergraduate performance - and lucky enough to make the most of the opportunity. Apparently my timing was pretty good, too. The Grad. Dip. has only been around since the start of 2009 and probably not too many people outside of the Aviation Academy are aware of it. So my decision to work hard in Honours in 2006, the recent existence of this degree and the random pushing and pulling that surrounds my existence all happened to line up favourably this time.
Initial costs
While the government loan covers the lectures and the flight training, and a couple of other things, there are many things it doesn't cover. These things include CASA exams and licenses, various pieces of equipment, uniforms and pilot documents. Additionally, if too much remedial flying is required, it may deplete the government loan to the point where I will have to start forking out more cash to cover the training, too! I have also been told that I may need to cover some of my multi-engine training, even if I maintain reasonable progress through the rest of the training.
Much of those costs are hypothetical right now...they exists in the future, and right now my savings have been almost completely depleted by the costs of getting started. I think I have just about everything I'll immediately need: here is a list of what I've gathered so far.
Trial Introductory Flight (TIF): $135
This is a half-hour flight in a training aircraft, during which you get to control the machine in flight. I went on one of these before applying for entry into the Grad. Diploma; I had a theory that I would enjoy flight but wanted to see if I would actually find it nightmarish (I had been a passenger in large aircraft many times, but never flown a small plane)! Of course I had a blast, but was constantly reminding myself that much of the novelty factor might wear off after 10 years in an aviation job!
Most flight schools offer such flights; they are probably a good way to get an idea of the planes and people of any particular training organisation. I decided to go with the University as I was either going to do my training with them or nobody, at that stage! I later found out that I would have had to take a TIF with the Uni anyway, as part of the application process.
Even just as a thing to do, I recommend taking an introductory flight...it's not horrendously expensive for such a crazy experience! Doing a little bit of research and simulation beforehand may make the experience more satisfying, too.
Student Pilot License (SPL) and Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC): $250
These two are required in order to fly solo, and are worth getting sorted out as soon as possible - the turnaround time can be longer than six weeks! The two are applied for together, and the process is a bit of a pain as it involves getting copies of things certified by a Justice of the Peace, attaching passport photos, and getting the signature of the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) of the flight school. Part of the application involves background checks by the AFP and ASIO - I had to attach a separate sheet in order to fit in all of the places I've lived in over the last decade!
The SPL is black and white and printed on paper - I was hoping it would be more like a car license, thick plastic and wallet-sized. The ASIC fits this description...it's bright red, and comes with a solid holder attached to a lanyard, so it can be worn visibly in secure areas. The hologram on the card is pretty neat, too.
In applying for these, I was immediately given an Aviation Reference Number (ARN), which is yet another serial number for dealing with another government agency (CASA in this case - I can add the number to my tax file number and Centrelink serial number). This number allows access to CASA's Self Service portal - where applications can be tracked and screens refreshed for months while waiting for the issue of a license!
Aviation Medical Examinations ($400)
A CASA Class 2 Aviation Medical Certificate is required to fly solo, but UniSA wants its students to have Class 1 Medical Certificates. The Class 1 is a more stringent exam with a shorter validity period than the Class 2, but is a requirement for commercial flight.
To get this certificate, I had to be examined by a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) and a Designated Aviation Opthamologist (DAO). It's CASA who does the designating - a list of DAMEs and DAOs can be found here. I had to book the DAME a month and a half in advance, so I'm glad I called early...on top of this waiting period, it can take CASA three weeks to issue the certificate. On the other hand, I only had to wait a week for an appointment with a DAO.
The aim of the medical is to make sure there are no complications that may cause unconsciousness or death mid-flight. Blood glucose and cholesterol levels are tested, along with heart function using an ECG machine. Along with these there are hearing and vision tests to check that operational requirements will be met, and of course, no medical would be complete without urinating into a plastic cup. After these initial checks, exams are required yearly but are only as stringent at 'landmark' ages - 30 years old, 40 years old and so on.
The DAME appointment cost $190, the DAO appointment cost $135, and just for fun, the CASA processing fee attached to the whole process was $75. I may have been able to get a better price had I shopped around more, but probably not a whole lot better - when I asked about how much it might cost, the Aviation Academy estimated about $500.
Textbooks ($600)
I purchased the set of textbooks recommended and ordered in by the UniSA Aviation Academy...Bob Tait's aviation series. It was a big load of cash to lay down all at once, but they are supposed to be tailored to CASA's examinations all the way to Commercial Pilot License level. They are reasonably well written - I have been studying the hell out of the books since I obtained them in December and have learned an awful lot of things about aviation. I am hoping this puts me in a good position to get the most out of the lectures and training with a minimum of stress! I have been periodically trying out the things I've learned in a flight simulator on my computer and this has helped a great deal.
Headset ($350)
'You get what you pay for,' I was told. I did a bit of research and a lot of deliberation and finally sprung $350 for a Flightcom 5DX Classic. This is still regarded as an entry-level headset, but the silicone ear seals (more comfortable, more effective than foam) and the padded headband (again, good comfort) were what sold me over the cheaper 4DX. Some headsets, with added technology like Active Noise Reduction (ANR), cost around the thousand dollar mark! Undoubtably, these are lovely headsets, but at this stage I am interested in something that will do the job properly - reduce the amount of ambient noise getting to my ears, while making radio communication clearer. The headset seems sturdily constructed, and comes with a three-year warranty, but I still need to test it out! Unfortunately it is not designed to work with a computer, so I don't actually know yet whether it works or just looks pretty. I found this and this useful in working out what a headset does and what to look for.
Uniform ($150)
UniSA's Aviation Academy requires its students to wear uniform while present - they are geared towards training people for the airline industry and like to get their students comfortable with this aspect of airline employment. It probably also helps students to feel more like pilots - a costume to wear as they begin to fly. It may generate a professional look, but professionalism is an attitude...one that I hope I find prevalent in the Academy! Anyway, the uniform is non-negotiable, and of course I had to pay for my own - the combined cost of UniSA epaulettes and tie was about $65, and the two pilot shirts and pair of pants I bought were about $85 altogether. Tip: Trims give a 10% discount on clothing if you hail from the UniSA Aviation Academy - I showed up during a 20% sale so I was unable to exploit this deal, though I did confirm its existence.
A pilot belt is also available for purchase from UniSA. Given that I already own a serviceable belt, along with black shoes and dark socks, I decided to cut my spending on clothing right there.
So before I have even begun, I have already had to spend just under $1900 on books, uniforms, equipment and licensing. I was told in the entry interview that my total out-of-pocket expenses may pile up to $6000 by the end of the course, so I guess that leaves about $4000 to go! As long as my life doesn't take a series of dramatic twists and turns I should barely be able to cover this...hopefully my employer doesn't get too annoyed at me sharing my time between work and university!
In the end, the cost is not such a worry - learning to fly is an opportunity I will gladly endure poverty and dirt for.
In the end, the cost is not such a worry - learning to fly is an opportunity I will gladly endure poverty and dirt for.
Hope you find this useful,
Tristan
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