FAQs
Q. How do I get started?
A. The best way would be to give us a call and arrange some time to have a chat with one of our instructors, and go for a Trial Introductory Flight. This flight will give you an introduction to flying. The briefing with the instructor will cover the basic knowledge required to give you some hands-on control during the flight. If you find that you enjoy flying after this, you can book in with us for some more lessons.
Q. Do I need a medical to fly?
A. You will need to complete a medical examination with a CASA approved Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME), but you can still fly as a student pilot without one, up until you go for your first solo. It pays to get in early with your application forms, and medical, as these may take time to process.
Q. What paperwork do I need to fill out?
A. You are required to fill in application forms for your Aviation Reference Number (ARN), your Student Pilot's License and security check (Form 639), and will need to get a medical. We can provide you with these forms, and let you know where your nearest DAME is located, for your medical. You will not need to have these forms completed initially, but you will need to have them completed and approved before your first solo.
Q. What does it take to get a Pilot's License?
A. Hard work, determination, and a good mental attitude. Study hard, prepare for each lesson, and be ready to watch, listen and learn.
Q. What are your hours of operation?
A. Generally the office is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 9am to 5pm. While there may not be anyone in the office on the other days (some Mondays we are open too), we are able to arrange for aircraft or instructors on any day by prior appointment. Give us a call, and we'll book you in. Due to flight and duty time obligations, our CFI takes Mondays off, and Thursday mornings.
Q. Do you require payment up front?
A. No, we do not require you to pay for your course of flying, or any particular lesson up front. In fact, flying with a school who asks for full payment up front may not be such a good idea. What happens to your money if the school closes down? Normally, students pay at the end of their lesson, once the flight time, and any other expenses have been calculated.
Q. I have a set amount of money available to me, can I put it into an account with you?
A. No problem, we can start a holding account for you, and each time you fly, we can take the cost of the flight out. Some people find this an easier way to budget. If you need to leave, for whatever reason, you are free to withdraw the balance of your account at any time.
Q. Are you likely to close your doors halfway through my training?
A. Minovation has been in operation as a flying school for ten years now. We aren't going anywhere. Companies that close down suddenly are usually companies who carry huge debts and huge overheads. We are not one of those, all our bills are paid on time, and we keep our overheads to a minimum.
Q. Why do you ask for a booking deposit to hold an aircraft, or book a lesson?
A. When we take a booking, we are setting aside an aircraft, an instructor, and our time. If someone books a slot with us and doesn't show up, not only are we out of pocket, but other students who would have liked that slot suffer. By bringing in a booking deposit system, we have almost completely eliminated this problem. The deposit required is $50 for lessons (refundable), and $100 per day for aircraft hire (non-refundable). This way, it discourages people from booking a slot they have no intention of taking up. The other alternative would be to increase our aircraft rates to cover our losses, and that would be unacceptable to the vast majority of our pilots who are consistently courteous.
Q. Can I cancel a flight?
A. Absolutely. We only ask that you give us more than 24 hours notice, so that we can contact someone else to take that slot. The more notice you are able to give us the better, but 24 hours will do. Cancellations due to bad weather don't count.
