After the many long weeks of COVID lockdown, Fly Oz at Cowra is again roaring back to full strength conducting all types of pilot training. All ten Fly Oz Instructors are back doing what they do best, imparting knowledge and skill to our many students as well as to aircraft owners who wish to refine or renew their aviation skills.
Our inaugural Diploma of Aviation Instrument Rating AVI50519 is well under way with four enthusiastic students who are all taking advantage of the VET Student Loan scheme. They have all completed two weeks of IREX course along with other students needing the IREX theory course. Our Diploma students will start the next exciting phase of their course in the simulators next week.
Cowra Airport and Fly Oz enjoyed the amazing flying skills of the Red Radials for a week while they conducted training in formation flying and aerobatics. Even though some of their members from interstate couldn’t attend due to COVID state border closures, there was still plenty of action and flying precision to keep up all entertained. It was fascinating watching the detailed pre sorte briefings and preparation these experienced pilots went through to optimise their skill development and safety.
Cowra Shire Council Mayor, Bill West called in to the Fly Oz hangar to meet our visiting pilots and learn more about them. Many Cowra residents also called in to the airport to admire the skilled flying demonstrations.
Many of our instructors and students were fortunate enough to score a ride in the Red Radial planes or helicopter! A very memorable experience! Here’s Allison being securely seated in the back by Gary Criddle.
Cowra Rotary volunteers lead by Harry, were kept very busy cooking and preparing three meals a day and many Cowra businesses also contributed to the many meals.
Ray and Cherie from Fly Oz did a fantastic job keeping all the aircraft fuelled and ready to go which the Red Radial pilots really appreciated.
Fly Oz is also well into our current Flight Instructor Rating course with a couple of non current instructors joining in the class next week to renew their skills and add their experience. There are many briefings to master as well as the underpinning knowledge topics to learn as well as lots of flying. The photo is Deepin explaining Turning to a pretend student.
We have added a new aircraft tug to our hangar equipment which Ray and Cherie picked up from Queensland last week (we certainly have been keeping them very busy lately) . The extra tug should make moving our fleet of aircraft much easier as well as give us redundancy.
Fly Oz will soon be opening bookings for our next Diploma of Aviation Commercial Pilot Licence AVIXXX and Diploma of Aviation Instrument Rating AVI50519 which will both be starting in January 2022. Now that we can offer the VET Student Loan payment option, we are expecting a strong response. However, there are many benefits to learning to fly in Cowra that students flock to including our stable weather, outstanding instructors and friendly atmosphere.
Several successful tests were conducted last week including Instrument Proficiency Checks in the owner’s aircraft and Flight Instructor Rating Additional Endorsements which included a lovely night flight for Lyn. We also conducted a couple of Flight Reviews, ensuring pilots are safe while they have fun using their licences.
On Thursday evening, several instructors, students and Maria socialised at the Cowra Golf Club and enjoyed a great meal and conversation. A nice, relaxing time to get to know each other.