Student pilots and aviators in Canberra and surrounds can rejoice with the announcement of a new flying school opening in the nation’s capital. Since Brindabella Airlines was forced to close its pilot training arm last year, Canberra has been without a flying school – not even one – and that lack of a venue to learn to fly has been lamented by a number of Australian Flying readers. Putting things right, Goulburn Aviation, which has been operating out of Goulburn, NSW for over 18 years, has announced it will open Canberra Aviation – a satellite flying school that will operate out of the Canberra Aero Club building and offer flight training to all residents of the ACT and surrounds. Goulburn Aviation will retain its existing base in Goulburn. Canberra Aviation will host its official opening day on Sunday February 6. For more information click here.
The Fraser Coast Chronicle in Queensland reports that Don Adams, founder and chairman of Seabird Aviation Australia, was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia by Governor-General Quentin Bryce on Australia Day in recognition of his service to the aviation industry. Adams founded Seabird Aviation in 1983 and has been involved ever since in the design, certification and production of the Seabird Seeker, a multi-role aircraft that provides a cost-effective alternative for low-level observation tasks. Adams’ Seabird Seekers are now operating around the globe. Adams served in the RAAF in the 40s and gained his pilot licence in the 50s through Bundaberg Aero Club. While now 85 and no longer flying, Adams continues to be interested in the aviation industry.
NSW Maritime announced late last week it’s approval of the planned redevelopment of the Rose Bay seaplane base in Sydney. The state government approval will allow the redevelopment of the seaplane terminal building, adjacent to Lyne Park at Rose Bay on Sydney Harbour, to proceed. Rose Bay has a long aviation history as Australia’s first international airport and the original home of the famous Catalina flying boats. Today, amongst other things, it is the base for charter/training company Sydney Seaplanes.
Mahindra Aerospace, the Indian parent company of Airvan manufacturer Gippsland Aeronautics, has announced it's aiming to conduct the maiden flight of the first indigenously built Indian aircraft next month. The Mumbai-based company has been developing the NM5-100, a five-place GA aircraft, over a number of years in partnership with Bangalore-based National Aerospace Laboratories. Indian news sources claim that the aircraft will sell for 20 per cent less than an equivalent aircraft from Cessna. All-metal with composite cowling and fairings, it’s reported that the NM5-100 is intended for pilot training as well as charter, light cargo and medical evacuation missions. Given Mahindra’s new relationship with Australia through GippsAero, could we see a flying example of this aircraft on our shores before too long?
January 24 2011 marked the Centenary of the ordination of the Reverend John Flynn, the founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia. After witnessing the devastating effects that extremes distances from medical care played in patient treatment and survival, Flynn realised that the recent invention of the aeroplane and the pedal powered two-way radio could be used to provide emergency medical care in rural and regional Australia – and in 1928 the RFDS was born. Today, the not-for-profit organisation has a fleet of 54 aircraft – primarily King Air B200s, Pilatus PC-12s and Cessna C208 Grand Caravans, but also one Hawker 800XP2 light jet in Western Australia – located at 21 aviation bases throughout the country. The RFDS currently tends to the needs of around 270,000 patients annually.
The US AOPA reports that pilots in 29 countries on four continents introduced 1647 girls and women to flying in 2010 as part of the Centennial of Women Pilots, which recognised 2010 as the centennial of the first certificated female pilot. The flights were registered and tracked through the Centennial of Women Pilots website and included a list of types from hot air balloons to sailplanes, ultralights, floatplanes, helicopters, and standard GA fixed-wings. While Australia wasn’t one of the countries involved, we dare say we had our fair share of aviatrices take to the skies for the first time in 2010.
The Australian Defence Force is continuing with its efforts in helping with the flood response in Victoria. Two Royal Australian Navy Seahawk helicopters have been redeployed from RAAF Base Amberley to assist in the movement of emergency services personnel and the delivery of emergency supplies to communities isolated by the flood waters. Not to be outdone, since January 19 the RAAF itself has transported more than 100,000 sandbags from Townsville and Brisbane to Melbourne to support the Victorian flood response.