Where to learn to fly in/around Melbourne?

[Will]

Hi all!

Thought I'd seek the advice of some of the veterans around here, as t seems as though many of you have flown professionally/ for fun (or still do!)

I want to start with a simple PPL over the summer in Melbourne, and then maybe progress through further navigation, IFR, and night flights etc over the following years. Happy to budget $6-12k for the PPL component; but have only checked out one flying school so far (at Lilydale)

I'm very flexible with timing - midweek discounts would be good - but I'm based in central Melbourne so the further out, the less easy it becomes.

Anyone have any recommendations about good schools and airfields to fly out of?

 

[nlagalle]

Hi all!

Thought I'd seek the advice of some of the veterans around here, as t seems as though many of you have flown professionally/ for fun (or still do!)

I want to start with a simple PPL over the summer in Melbourne, and then maybe progress through further navigation, IFR, and night flights etc over the following years. Happy to budget $6-12k for the PPL component; but have only checked out one flying school so far (at Lilydale)

I'm very flexible with timing - midweek discounts would be good - but I'm based in central Melbourne so the further out, the less easy it becomes.

Anyone have any recommendations about good schools and airfields to fly out of?

Will,

I learnt at Moorabbin. Royal Vic aero club are good. As is MFS.

You will need a lot more than $12k to get your PPL though. Just the admin side can cost a bit: ASIC, medical etc aren't cheap.

 

[Will]

Will,

I learnt at Moorabbin. Royal Vic aero club are good. As is MFS.

You will need a lot more than $12k to get your PPL though. Just the admin side can cost a bit: ASIC, medical etc aren't cheap.

Thanks. Really helpful. I based the == $6-12k on what they told me at Lilydale, where there are no landing fees. Maybe that's not a realistic figure everywhere. Regardless, I'll probably budget more in the expectation it takes me more than the minimum number of hours!

Was it difficult to book times to take the planes out at Moorabbin?

 

[nlagalle]

Thanks. Really helpful. I based the == $6-12k on what they told me at Lilydale, where there are no landing fees. Maybe that's not a realistic figure everywhere. Regardless, I'll probably budget more in the expectation it takes me more than the minimum number of hours!

Was it difficult to book times to take the planes out at Moorabbin?

6-12k sounds more like GFPT. Landing fees are capped at MB so don't really change the price.

I had no issue flying during the week.

 

[rechoboam]

Geelong is a good option with less crowds and good instructors. Rightly or wrongly I wouldnt feel as safe in the busy training area around Moorabbin at least when starting. I suppose radio and ATC practice would be good at Moorabbin though.

 

[straitman]

Hi all!

Thought I'd seek the advice of some of the veterans around here, as t seems as though many of you have flown professionally/ for fun (or still do!)

I want to start with a simple PPL over the summer in Melbourne, and then maybe progress through further navigation, IFR, and night flights etc over the following years. Happy to budget $6-12k for the PPL component; but have only checked out one flying school so far (at Lilydale)

I'm very flexible with timing - midweek discounts would be good - but I'm based in central Melbourne so the further out, the less easy it becomes.

Anyone have any recommendations about good schools and airfields to fly out of?

There are advantages and disadvantages which ever way you do it but I would recommend that you pick a place further out as you are not then wasting so many of your $$$s sitting waiting for traffic and/or ATC clearances.

 

[rechoboam]

MFS at Moorabbin

Despite what I said above (and given I'm now 10 minutes from Moorabbin myself) can someone recommend a particular instructor at MFS? Via PM if you prefer.