Costs
General Pilot Training / Flight School information for Oceania
Learning to Fly and/or pursuing a career as a Pilot, although much cheaper down-under than say Europe or even the US, is an expensive ordeal.
Generally speaking, to go from zero flight hours to a Commercial Pilot Licence, a Command Instrument Rating, and 250 hours Total Time will cost in the neighborhood of 30000 - 36000 Australian Dollars.....which equates to about 19000 - 23000 US$/Euros, or about 12000 - 14000 British Pounds.
In the year 2003, a 2 Year Flight College Program, with the above Ratings/Licences acquired, 250 Hours Total Flight Time, and a College Diploma cost between 36000 - 39000 $ Australian, or 23000 - 25000 $ US/Euros, or 14000 - 15000 British Pounds. Please NOTE: A student must already have completed their Private Pilot Licence (6000 $ AUS, 4000 $ US/Euro's, or 2500 British Pounds) before joining a Professional Pilot Program at one of Australia's or New Zealand's Flight Colleges - so you will have to add that to the above figures for the College programs.
No question pursuing a career in aviation is a costly proposition. What we've found at the Pilot Career Centre is that once a pilot tries flying out, and they like it, there seems to be no stopping them in their pursuit of their Licences and Experience to make it in this great industry. Pilots have such a huge Job Satisfaction rate - and we believe that many pilots would Fly for Free if they had to - they love going to work every day and Flying an Aeroplane for a living.
University, College, Trade Schools are all investments in your future. Taking Flying Lessons and pursuing a career in aviation is much the same thing, an important investment in your future, and your future happiness.