Thread: Pilot shortage causes cancellation on rural Australian routes

Originally Posted by Hugh Jars

Eevo, do you have 1000hrs turboprop? Just curious.

no, not even close.

Originally Posted by Eevo

i'm not sure we're talking about the same thing. the 1000h isnt paid. it was the previous experience requirement for applying for the job.

For firebombers the 1000 hour (most states are 1500 hours) prerequisite is essentially ag work and preferably spraying. Aerotech specify those to be turbine hours as well although the only official turbine requirement is 100 hours on type (AT-802 or Thrush). The reason for this is that there is not yet a syllabus written for the new firebombing endorsement. That means the firebomber operators (and CASA) are still relying on ag pilots to bring with them the heavy airframe at low level and application experience.

1000 hours of ag is reasonably well paid and is the only way of progressing on to the firebombers. There's no other way of getting a start in them at this stage.

Locals are gunna be ****ed off there is no local roots!
Fly in fly outs? Oh wait im confused now no planes. Drive in drive out.


Moving on...

Originally Posted by Bigbjorn

I bet a good percentage of those who flew Lancasters and B17's were clerks, farmers, carpenters, etc. and never finished high school. Are not airliners almost automated these days and the pilots job is to talk to the controllers, take over if something fails, drink coffee, and fondle the stewardesses.

Ah Gender equality, don't forget the fondling of the stewards also to be politically correct LOL.

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

Ah Gender equality, don't forget the fondling of the stewards also to be politically correct LOL.

Are not flight stewards mostly tres gay? Back in the 70's I thought it was part of the job description at Qantas. They would probably appreciate a fondling from a handsome young male pilot.

Not all of them. When I worked at uni, my co-workers son used to be in the Australian Ballet, and his best mate was a steward for QANTAS. Both were straight and had the pick of the girls they worked with. One time at a work Xmas party, 'ballet son' rang to wish his folks Merry Xmas and proceeded to tell his mum that he was tired from all the outback touring the troupe was doing. When he got his dad on the phone, he told him the truth - that he had girls lining up outside his room every night and he was quite literally 'shagged out'. Needless to say his mum didn't hear that bit.....

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

Not all of them. When I worked at uni, my co-workers son used to be in the Australian Ballet, and his best mate was a steward for QANTAS. Both were straight.

Sure they were.......

Originally Posted by DAMINK

Locals are gunna be ****ed off there is no local roots!
Fly in fly outs? Oh wait im confused now no planes. Drive in drive out.


Moving on...

Big mining companies will organise there own planes......that if they don’t already.