Why become involved in aviation? Why leave a secure job, spend a great deal of money just to fly planes all day? Are you nuts?

I was asked these questions (and lots more) by everybody in my life when I started flying. Looking back now I think I have a much better understanding of the question and how I should have answered these well meaning questions.

First though let me tell you a little about my background. When I began flying (in 1995) I had a reasonably well paid job in the public service and was (and still am) happily married. Once I started flying though I found I enjoyed the challenge (and yes the adventure of it) so much that it began to think of little else!

I then spent time thinking about a career in aviation. Like everyone I considered the cost, the career opportunities and the practicalities of making such a big change before finally committing to making such a big change.

Looking back I think of all the things I did to get my qualifications – the months of study, the hours of flying with frustrated instructors and the stressful flight tests – do I think it was worth? What do I say to the doubters?

Come fly with me on a crystal clear night when you can see the lights of cities one hundred miles away. Watch the look of joy on a student’s face when they complete their first solo flight. See the pride as they receive their Commercial Pilot Licences.

If people don’t understand this, I simply tell people that I still look forward to coming to work. I dislike holidays – I would rather be flying!

Would I change anything looking back? You bet – I wouldn’t have waited so long!
 

June 2, 2008, 2 pm. It was a cold and clear day, the most important day in my pilot career.

Roger, my Flight Instructor, jumped out of his seat and made an announcement for all other aircrafts to clear the circuit.

The plane was empty and light. The controls moved smoothly, the cockpit was quiet. When it was my turn, I made the radio call: ”Ballarat traffic Cessna172 WDA rolling runway 36 for first solo.”

I took a deep breath and thought to myself: ”It's show time.”

Full power, followed the centerline, and the plane accelerated as the propeller gained momentum. As the plane took off, I had to concentrate on the altitude and air speed. As per normal, I turned crosswind, downwind, base and final. I was flying slightly lower than before. But it doesn’t matter. After threshold, the power had been cut off, and the plane made its gradual descent. The instructor looked like he was yelling in my ear: ”Hold off, hold off...” The plane had touched the ground. Excellent!

Roger jumped into the cockpit: ”Well done congratulations!”

At that moment, the feeling was truly amazing. Words could not express how I felt.

From this moment, I will soar in the huge blue skies by myself.

That's the story of my first solo, simple but unforgettable.

This is the 31st day of my training in Ballarat and I am enjoying each and every day.

As Ballarat is 1433 feet above mean sea level, the weather in Ballarat is cold and crisp, making it ideal for flight training.

My instructors are very professional and always strive to deliver their best; from the sourcing of additional materials to aid our learning to organizing weekend recreational activities.

We adhere to an intensive training schedule in STATA. We are kept busy with flying and pre-flight planning with instructors and fellow course buddies.

Off training, we experiment with cooking. Many of us have become good cooks after being in Ballarat for 1 month. We have also converted our backyard into a mini garden with tomato, onions and chilli.

If you are embarking on your flight training, there is no better school to train with. Join us in STATA and realise your dreams of pursuing a flying career.

THE first group of student pilots to land in Ballarat will soon return to the skies to start learning.

Fourteen graduate students were yesterday officially welcomed to Australia, with city officials hosting a civic reception in their honour.

The young men will attend a new multi-million dollar pilot academy being established at Ballarat airport before returning to China to work for Shenzhen Airlines in Guangdong province.

The Singapore Technologies Aviation Training Academy will train hundreds of pilots of Asian and Indian airlines. It was seen as a coup for Ballarat when the city was selected to house the school last year.

City of Ballarat chief executive officer Anthony Schinck yesterday described the academy and the arrival of the pilots as extremely exciting.

“This is a very significant investment in our community, which is projected to lead to an overall economic benefit to Ballarat of over $7 million per annum,” he said.

“What we know is market studies have highlighted that globally, to keep up with aircraft deliveries, around 17,000 new pilots are required every year to fill airline cockpits.

“That’s an incredible demand and something we have recognised together with our partners and our new friends at STATA to bring this particular project to realisation.”

Mr Schinck said Ballarat was an ideal location for the academy.

“It offers fantastic infrastructure for a flight training academy and certainly the city council has been very supportive of the investment,” he said.

Mayor Stephen Jones also welcomed the pilots, saying the day should be a proud moment for them all.

“And we’re very proud to have you here as the first group to start their training in Australia, but, more importantly, in Ballarat,” he said.

“You’ve travelled a long way from your family and friends in China, but no doubt you will find Ballarat and Australia welcoming and a friendly place.”

Cr Jones even hinted he hoped one day to be a passenger in a jet flown by one of the pilots.

“Who knows, maybe one day on my ... well, I can’t say junkets as a councillor, but when we travel the world, you may be the pilot on that particular plane in years to come.

“And what a fantastic feeling that must be.”

The 14 trainee pilots all have degrees from universities in China and have been working as cadets for their future employer.

They are currently enjoying a two-week orientation period, including tours of Ballarat, before starting ground training.

The students will take to the skies in May and will stay in Ballarat for 12 months.

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