where are they now?

Name
Mez

Country
United Kingdom

When did you train at Beckers?
2005/2006

Why helicopters?
Always loved them.

Biggest challenge when training?
Theory, had been out of school for way too long.

Most memorable flight?
First solo. Solo flight from Sydney to a cattle station in Northern Territory. Filming for Fox Sports in Agusta 119 when Gold Coast United started.

What are you doing now?
I'm a Senior Flight Instructor at Becker Helicopters Military wing.

What did you do when you finished training?
Worked at Great Ocean Road Helicopters VIC flying around the Twelve Apostles.

How many hours have you logged?
Over 2000

What are your ratings?
B47, H300, R22, R44, B206, A119
Grade 1 Flight Instructor, Night unaided Instructor, Formation Instructor and Sling

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Still at Becker Helicopters hopefully.

Advice to those wanting to learn to fly?
Study hard, listen to your instructor, aim for accuracy in everything you do and always practice liftoffs, landings and hovering, even if you are just going out to do a nav. You're paying so make the most of every second in the aircraft.

Advice on looking for work?
1 Start calling people early, even if it's just to tell them you're finishing soon, then before you take the flight test, then when you pass, that way they know you're keen.

2 Be ready to do anything, anywhere, it's all about hours.

3 Always put passport photo on your CV so it stands out and deliver it by hand as much as possible.

4 Turn up wearing clothes that look like you work there already (if they wear white shirts and trousers turn up in a white shirt/polo and trousers).

5 Spend money wisely during training and do things that will make you stand out from other 105 hour pilots. (If you have the money do a R44 rating or if you did it in your course then maybe a sling course or bump up your hours on a 44).

Any final words?
You only get out of aviation what you put in. That starts in the classroom and with your instructor and continues throughout your career. Everyone I know that has done well has always done the hard yards to start with, like cleaning aircrafts for months watching others flying and just waiting their turn. They have worked hard for a little or no pay and have taken jobs anywhere, often getting the job on a Monday and moving to the other side of Australia and starting on the Tuesday.