Southern Aviation, home of the Bunbury Flying School
Latest News
Latest news from the cockpit, what our members are up to, and how our students are doing. If you are a Bunbury Flying School member, feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .- August News
- 05.08.2010
Flying has not really slowed down all that much during this winter, still not really sure we have actually had winter yet! As a result we have had quite a lot of activity here at Bunbury Flying School. Lessons have been constant (well, it is what we do!), and we have also had quite a few people enjoy scenic flights of our beautiful area. The whales are beginning to migrate north and have attracted some attention from the beach and from the air. Our aerobatic warbird, the Nanchang, is also doing its fair share of carving up the sky. If you have never tried this type of flight before be brave, and give it a go. It’s safe, fun, and definitely one that will stay in the memory bank for ever. Some of us even keep repeating the experience.
We have also added another new instructor to our ranks. David Giret comes to us from Moorabbin, Victoria. He is not new to flight instruction, but he is completely new to Western Australia. Let the initiation process begin! We have already sent him out to explore some of the south west from the air just to make sure he can find his way back to us. Welcome to the team David, we hope you enjoy your time here with us. Our ground crew is also expanding, our LAME Sylvain and his lovely wife Genevieve have produced an adorable little baby girl, Taneika. She is a baby sister for 2 year old Daniella. Congratulations to Sylvain and Genevieve.
We have some more students who have worked hard, and taken up the challenge with their training. Learning to fly is a challenge, but a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. We are proud of the wonderful atmosphere we have here between the instructors and the students. The students must earn their achievements of course, and our instructors are very keen to see each one succeed and give a quality of individual instruction that is not seen in too many places.
3 July 2010 Davy McCartney – first solo
9 July 2010 Aaron Kitson – passed PPL Theory Exam
9 July 2010 Laurie Shine – passed PPL Theory Exam
13 July 2010 Mark Tippett – passed PPL Theory Exam
17 July 2010 Brett Shortland – first solo
23 July 2010 Barry Collins – first solo
25 July 2010 Mark Tippett – passed PPL Flight Test (now fully qualified PPL Pilot)
We also have different community groups who like to come and visit us. We had a pre-primary school group from Dardanup just recently who spent the morning with us. We also had a keen group of students from the Harvey Agricultural College. Young children, older students, or other community groups are always welcome and it’s a good opportunity for them to see and learn about the aviation environment in an enjoyable and entertaining way. We enjoy showing off what we have here, so if you would like to be a part of or bring a group out to us call the desk on 089725 4145 or send an email to info@bunburyflyingschool.com and we will arrange it with you.
- July News
- 07.07.2010
Where is winter?? Usually at this time of year the flying side of life slows down dramatically, but we have had a good amount of absolutely glorious flying weather (not so good for our water supply but brilliant for aviation). This means we have been constantly busy flying with training, navigations, scenics and charters. The Nanchang CJ-6A has been zipping around the skies over Bunbury on a regular basis too – providing onlookers at the beach with some very interesting aerobatic entertainment. Those inside the Nanchang as it performs come back to ground with smiles big enough to split their faces in half too, it is definitely something that everybody should try at least once in their lives! For those who have developed a taste for aerobatics we have several students who are in the process of learning in our Fuji, that’s the nice little red and white aerobatic aeroplane you will see out and about too.
Aviation is a lifestyle that can bring as many adventures as you like. You can enjoy the odd flight within the training area, or get your navigation endorsement and explore further afield. We recently had a lovely couple from Tasmania fly in for a quick visit, then they stayed for a couple of days. It was a real delight to have Barry and Sandra here, full of life and fun and adventure! The perfect example of what can happen when you get your licence and decide to do something with it! They got their licences, and are now enjoying a flying holiday in a Tecnam Eaglet, flying from place to place to explore this wonderful country of ours. Packed up with a minimum of clothes and camping equipment, loads of enthusiasm and a real sense of adventure. Barry and Sandra it was lovely to have you here and we would love to have you back again. (See photo)
Anyone who is travelling around doing this kind of thing is welcome to call in and share their stories and experiences with us. We also have different ones from here who travel to far-away places on similar excursions (sometimes with a reason, sometimes just because!) and it’s a truly wonderful way to spend some spare time! If any of these ideas appeal to you why don’t you call in and see us and find out how it can become reality? It really is achievable, fun, challenging and exciting, and the comradeship of aviation is special and very welcoming to pilots and non-pilots everywhere.
Major milestones: More hard-working students who make us proud are—
2 June Ben Scott . passed his GFPT flight test
Ben Scott . and also on the same day, passed his PPL flight test!
That was one tough day of hard work Ben!
30 June Luke Preece . Passed his PPL on-line exam
Congratulations boys, well done.
- June news
- 10.06.2010
The year marches on, and as the seasons change so do other things. This month we bid farewell to one of our very popular instructors, Kim Matheson, who has been given a position in an aviation company flying survey planes, bigger toys than the ones we have here! Sometimes he will be here, sometimes interstate, and sometimes in other countries. A career in aviation can take you to many fields of employment anywhere in the world, or you can simply enjoy the exhilaration of flying for the sake of flying. We also said a temporary goodbye to Jim Spring and Kerry who are off interstate and then to America for a few months, and to Kristine who has gone to Norway for a few months. We will miss you all, but also look forward to seeing you when you get back.
May is when we are typically slowing down on the flying side of things due to the weather, and making the most of the extra available theory time. But it has been so glorious outside with it being marvelous one day and perfect the next for flying. The airfield itself has a terrific new addition too, the new taxi-way is now completed and is being used, it goes all the way to the end of Runway 07 and makes a huge difference to those waiting to backtrack ready for take-off. As well as adding to the safety and convenience of flying in Bunbury it looks good!
Bunbury would have to be one of the best places in West Australia, maybe even Australia, to learn to fly. We have no landing fees, no lines of traffic waiting at the holding point, a nice long runway, highly maintained General Aviation and Recreational aircraft, and instructors and staff who are genuinely pleased to see you. As well as flying lessons we also conduct trial introductory flights, scenic flights, charter flights, and of course our very popular aerobatic flights. We have a genuine warbird, a Nanchang CJ-6, which is very very different from the normal flying most people are familiar with. For these flights we take you up to between 4000/6000 feet and throw you around in every direction possible. Try it…..see for yourself. You will even earn a certificate as proof you did it!
We always have a list of hard working students achieving wonderful things. We are very proud of these people. This month they are:-
5 May Luke Preece 1st solo flight
5 May Clinton Bosworth 1st solo flight
12 May Ian Clark Passed his PPL theory exam
13 May Michael Donson Passed his PPL Theory exam
18 May Ian Clark 1st solo Navigation flight
20 May Mark de san Miguel Passed GFPT flight test
24 May Clinton Bosworth Passed GFPT flight test
27 May Luke Preece Passed GFPT flight test
28 May John Larkin Passed GFPT flight test
29 May Bruce Logan Passed GFPT flight test
As well as these major achievements there are constant other achievements. Any progression forward is a delight to see and every day brings something new to learn. When you are flying no two days are exactly the same so it is always an exciting challenge, but one where you do see determination bring achievements and huge smiles. We can take you right through to your Commercial Pilot’s Licence if you want, if you would like to know more, or talk to us about how all this can apply to you, call us on 08 9725 4145, email us on bunburyflyingschool@bigpond.com or call into the Bunbury Airport and see us.
- May news - NANCHANG RETURNS
- 05.05.2010
Here it is May already, and still the weather is being good to us as far as flying is concerned. Autumn and Spring are good flying seasons as the weather is not so hot that we have a lot of thermals and sweaty pilots, nor too many days that are wet and windy. The scenery is colourful and vibrant, and the atmosphere very pleasant.
Bunbury Flying School is happy to receive visiting groups or individuals whether it be for pleasure or business. We recently had a group of approximately 15 guests from the Bunbury Chamber of Commerce come out to visit us and see what we have and what we do here. Also, we take kids from local high schools for work experience. This term we have Lyall Winduss with us each Wednesday to see what happens in a flying school. Note to his Mum…he knows how to make coffee! Lyall is a great help in the office and workshop side of things, and helps keep our aircraft clean and tidy.
For all those who have missed the fun our Nanchang has to offer, you can stop your suffering….IT IS BACK!! You may have seen and/or heard it roaring over Bunbury and up and down (and around and looping and spinning and sideways) the coast near Back Beach in Bunbury. For all of you who love the roar of a genuine warbird and the thrill of pure adrenalin packed aerobatic flying the Nanchang is a must. At $300 for a half hour flight we can promise you this is an experience you will not forget in a hurry! This is the cheapest aerobatic warbird flight in Australia but still with all the fun and noise you would expect. If you would like something more sedate we can take you on a nice gentle scenic of our beautiful area or a romantic sunset scenic with a special someone. You may need to be somewhere and back and have limited time, and we can do this for you too as a charter flight. Perhaps you would like to learn to fly yourself, and eventually become the Pilot In Command as you earn your own Pilot’s Licence. The opportunities are there to achieve so much, the first step is to come and see us at Bunbury Flying School, or phone 9725 4145, or email bunburyflyingschool@bigpond.com. We are open seven days a week from 8.00am to 5.30pm-ish.
It’s always good to see our students reach each milestone as they learn to fly. Every lesson has its merits, but certain steps require some extra effort and study (and sometimes nerves when it comes to flight tests!). During April we saw many happy faces, and these people also achieved the following:
April Achievements:
Flight Tests
9 April RICK GILMORE passed RA-Aus flight test (RA-Aus licence)
23 April IAN CLAPP passed PPL flight test (GA Private Pilot Licence)
First Solo Flights
17 April JAY JOSEPH first SOLO flight
27 April IAN SPEAR first SOLO flight
Exams
16 April BEN SCOTT passed PPL Theory exam
16 April CLINTON BOSWORTH passed pre-area solo exam
30 April JOHN LARKIN passed BAK exam
- april news
- 19.04.2010
Here it is April already! Time flies (pardon the pun) when you're having fun. Things at Bunbury Flying School never stay in the same spot for too long, always something being altered, rebuilt or re-created. Our Flying School building has another office with a new staff member to keep us all on our toes (welcome Jim Spring). Our LAME Sylvain Smit is making sure we have plenty of planes to fly. The new Bunbury Airport Taxiway is nearly complete to the far end of Runway 07.
And...joy oh joy.... the FUJI is up and flying again!! Even in the few days it has been back in the air it has been constantly busy with staff and students beating up the skies in it. Beating up each other almost in the attempt to get to the front of the line for it too.
Our successes continue. Our students continue to achieve and make us all proud. Look at these:
GFPT (General Flying Progress Test):
February 26 - Mark Tilbrook
RA-Aus Pilot Certificate:
March 17 - Dale Clark
1st Solo Flight
March 17 - Clinton Bosworth
March 22 - James Miller
March 22 - Shane Carle
These are wonderful achievements, and the joy and sense of pride of those passing these milestones makes all the hard work worthwhile. It's not just about the flying either. With the hard work and determination involved also comes the chance to learn and see how you can achieve so much more for yourself. Give yourself reason to step outside your boundaries and see what an interesting world we really live in.
If you want to learn to fly from the beginning, or need to get back up to scratch after too long on the ground, or add endorsements to what you already have, we are there to help you do it. We are open every day, come and see us.- march news
- 17.03.2010
Bunbury Flying School and Hot FM ran a comptetition for Valentine's Day where couples wrote in to the radio station and described how they first met. The winners of the competition were Nikki and Clayton, a fun loving couple from Manjimup. Hot FM's Chippy and Steph met them at the Flying School, and presented them with a prize of $500, plus their flight.
- February News
- 31.01.2010
January has been an exciting month for Bunbury Flying School. We have had so many students and others taking advantage of the holiday season and the beautiful weather that we have had to bring in a spare instructor! Thanks Adam Price for all your valuable help and expertise. Our instructors make a great team and their patience and knowledge makes learning to fly a real pleasure.Scenic flights have also been very popular with holiday makers and Bunbury and its surrounds are beautiful from the air and well worth checking out. We have also had some interesting charters to conduct too, if you would like to go somewhere let us know, we can take you there. When was the last time you took the family to Rottnest Island, or to Albany for the day? Have you watched the dolphins play in the ocean, or seen the caves in the cliffs around Cape Naturaliste? This is fun, and affordable. Ask us about our Gift Vouchers too. We are open seven days a week and we will welcome your phone call or come in to see us. We will even feed you on the weekends!
- January News
- 02.01.2010
2009 Christmas Party and "Wings" presentations.
On 18 December Bunbury Flying School put on a Christmas party for students, friends and their families. We had a turn up of between 70-80 people and it was a good night. We had a selection of roast meats that were cooked here, and a delicious variety of fresh salads, coleslaws and bread rolls to go with it, all presented buffet style. This was followed by Pam's famous Christmas pudding (highly recommended) with brandy custard. All this was liberally washed down with appropriate liquid beverages. There was no shortage of food, and everybody seemed to be having fun if the noise and laughter was anything to go by! Background music was provided by Peter Mulhern from Serpentine, thank you Peter.- 10 good reasons to fly in Bunbury!
- 25.12.2009
With the new freeway opened up and now just over an hour drive from Jandakot, Bunbury Flying School is offering amazing deals on Flight Training.
- December Newsletter
- 10.12.2009
November is over and we are just about to head into the Christmas season. The month brought some mixed weather. We had some rain, we had some sunshine, and had some wind and we had some more wind. In between we managed to get some flying done. Spare a thought for the poor old farmers trying to make hay.