INDUSTRY PRESENTATION

Written by David Currey

“The aviation industry is definitely on the move’” stated survey pilot Trish Curry at the October industry presentation. “The industry is hiring pilots, but newly qualified commercial pilots need to ensure that they meet the criteria that employers require.”

“If you want to head up North, get some Cessna 200 series experience before you go”, she advised. “Quite often, pilots get jobs because they are in the right place at the right time, but make sure you tick as many of the employer’s requirements as possible”.

Trish completed her nursing degree before a trial flight convinced her that she had aviation in her blood. She completed her CPL over East, obtaining valuable work experience in Alice Springs. She highly recommended CPL students undertake a significant away trip during the solo consolidation phase of their training.

Her first job was in Darwin, flying to remote communities on a very strict schedule. “Flying in the wet season is not to be taken lightly. Know your limitations and do not allow yourself to be persuaded to undertake a flight that you are not comfortable with. Stick to your guns at all times”, she recommended.

Flying up North certainly teaches a pilot a lot of lessons and presents a pilot with interesting challenges. Dealing with customers who have too much luggage or who are not on time, poor runways, a strict schedule with minimum time for paperwork all present challenges that teaches a pilot the importance of being professional at all times.

During the COVID downturn in the industry, Trish worked in Alice Springs as a technical assistant, looking after the aircraft that were parked at Alice Springs for the duration. As the industry recovered, Trish returned to being a pilot.

Trish’s advice to students is:

1. Treat training seriously from the very start. It will make you a better pilot.

2. Always be prepared for your flight. Use fellow class members to help you if necessary.

3. Be professional, punctual and presentable at all times.

4. Employers want a pilot with a good attitude that is always willing to help.

5. Aviation is not a race to the top. Every pilot has their own unique journey.

6. Try to network and maintain good relationships, especially when leaving an employer. Aviation is a very small industry.

7. Complete you MEIR and ATPLs as soon as possible.

8. Know the Pilots’ Award and what you are entitled to.

9. Get loss of licence insurance.

10. Instil good habits from the start and maintain the self-discipline required to maintain these standards.

Trish ended her presentation with the words “Network, network, network”.