Official Newsletter of the Western Australian Aviation College – February 2007

From the Principal's Desk

 

Welcome to the first edition of Centreline for 2007.

The new year has bought some changes to our College and I am very excited about my new role as Head of Training.
I come in to this position knowing that I have big shoes to fill. My predecessor, Mark Cheveralls, been leading our College for over a decade and his vision and tenacity have brought to fruition several projects that have placed us amongst the leading providers of pilot training in the world.

With our January Advanced Diploma course having just started, and our February JAR Integrated course about to start, things are busy as usual. Our team continues to grow and I would formally like to welcome Andy Wood, Sean Murray and Leigh Anderson on board. All three have hit the ground running and their considerable experience is proving to be a great asset for our students. I would also like to congratulate Sean on recently completing his multi-engine command instrument rating. Anyone who has one will appreciate how good it feels to finally see that stamp in your logbook!
I look forward to the new year with great anticipation and wish all our students the best of luck with their training. Our staff team will continue this Colleges long held policy of providing the best training possible through structured course programming backed up by sound quality management principles.

Safe Flying!

Craig Peterson
Head of Training

FREE Career Information Seminar

to be held on

February 22nd

at the Hyatt Hotel Perth 7–9pm.

Bookings essential, friends and family welcome.

 

Call today on (08) 9417 7733 or register online at

www.waaviationcollege.com.au

 

The Western Australian Aviation College is now offering students excellence in pilot training (Advanced Diploma in Aviation Studies) and graduates an opportunity to continue their studies in Management (B.Com) at university.

• In only three years you will have completed two highly recognised qualifications.

• The combination will make you more employable and open up more career options.

The duration of the course is three years full-time. The theoretical and practical flying training (Advanced Diploma in Aviation) is completed at the college facilities at Jandakot Airport using specialists from the military and general aviation industry. The Bachelor of Commerce degree in Management follows at Murdoch University.

Call today for more information on (08) 9417 7733 or visit us at

www.waaviationcollege.com.au

 

 

Royal Brunei Airlines visit

In January a group of our students were lucky enough to be invited to attend a lecture from an airline Captain and take a tour of a Boeing 767 from Royal Brunei Airlines. Captain Allan Bradley extended the very generous offer and gave the students a fantastic insight into life as an airline pilot and the current issues facing the industry. His wealth of knowledge and animated personality made both the lecture and aircraft visit an entertaining and valuable experience for all who attended. Captain Bradley did his flying training at the Royal Aero Club and it is fantastic to see experienced people like himself putting something back into the industry at this level. His story is a classic example of how hard work and initiative can take you to the highest levels of this industry. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Captain Bradley on behalf of all who attended. His valuable time was very much appreciated.

Craig

Comedy Corner

 This month's funnies

 

With thanks to our CFI:
A seven-year-old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him.
The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the English cricket team, who the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone."

Industry
News

 Latest airlines flying in WA skies
 

Brisbane based Alliance Airlines and Ozjet are the latest airlines to be based in Perth. 

Alliance started Perth to Leinster to Mt Keith fly in fly out charters in November with Fokker 100s and Ozjet will launch Perth to Derby services in February with Boeing 737-200s.


Tiger Airways on Singapore/Perth Route

Tiger Airways will be introduced onto the Singapore/Perth route commencing March 23rd with four weekly services. 

Perth will become the airlines 17th destination and its second Australian stop. Tiger Airways currently flies to Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China and the Philippines. 

The Low Cost Carrier which is based in Singapore and 49 per cent owned by Singapore Airlines will make airline travel to and from Asia more affordable. 

Tiger Airways will introduce a one class Airbus A320 on the route with 180 economy class passengers. They also plan to increase their frequency to daily services from 1st November 2007.
 

Virgin Blue opens freight facility at Hobart Airport

Virgin Blue has opened its first Australian based dedicated freight facility at Hobart Airport.

The facility will be the operational base for Virgin Blue freight movements in and out of Hobart and was built at a cost of half a million dollars.

Virgin Blue Freight transports a variety of goods ranging from pets, post and produce to flowers, seafood, medical supplies and car parts, moving approximately 1.2 million kilograms each year from Hobart. The majority is for International export to Asia.
 

Emirates upgrade

Emirates has completed its long-awaited upgrade of services to Dubai with the introduction on December 1 of the brand new 777-300ER on its late-night departure.

The 360 seat 777-300 ER joins the morning departure operated by a 290-seat 777-200 ER as an awesome tag team. Both flights get passengers into Europe either early-afternoon or early-evening perfect for hotel check-in.
 

Singapore Airlines luxury cabin upgrade

Singapore Airlines has lifted the standard in passenger comfort with its latest $477 million cabin upgrade.

The airline has made over its latest six models of the 777-300ER which were handed over to them in December. A further four aircrafts will be in the air by mid-2007.

Calendar of Events

BAK
3 & 4 Mar, 8:30-17:00
7 Mar, 18:00-21:00
Private Pilot Licence
2 weeks full time, 12 March
10 weeks part time, 2 April
Commercial Pilot Licence
5 weeks full time, 2 April
Advanced Diploma
Next start date is 2 April



PPL Helicopter Correspondence Course


If you can't find time to get to our in-house helicopter theory courses then our PPL or CPL correspondence courses are the ideal solution for you. Both courses assume no prior knowledge and will take you all the way from BAK (Basic Aeronautical Knowledge) level up to your choice of PPL or CPL.


JAA MODULAR COURSE

The Western Australian Aviation College offers Modular training to existing licence holders and those wishing to gain a JAA licence through the modular route.
The modular route allows you to train at your own pace, which for those unable to commit to the integrated course provides for a viable alternative. From a financial point of view you can generally continue to work, and can pay for your training as and when funds are available. Alternatively you may already have a licence and wish to either go on to gain a Commercial Licence or convert an existing professional licence to the JAA equivalent


Wizards Quiz
From the October edition:

Who made the first international flight by a heavier-than-air aircraft??

Answer: Louis Bleriot – across the English Channel on 25th July 1909.

This month’s question:

Which modes of a Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) have a soft and hard warning?

Answer will be revealed next edition
Kevin Lathbury

Comments from the Chief

WOW! Am I glad that the Ashes are over!! I have taken that much stick about England’s performance (or lack of), thanks mainly to Craig Peterson and Kevin Lathbury not to mention Mr Cheveralls…….totally justified though I guess.

Well Christmas has passed for another year and it's back to the grindstone (I hope you all had a good one). May I also wish all of you the very best for 2007. 

JAR 2 came back fighting fit and are doing very well on the flying side.

JAR 1 continues to progress well also. It won’t be long before they are back in the UK, passing the IRT and gaining that first elusive job.

Things are really starting to happen at WAAC. There are another five students joining the JAR 3 course in February and we look forward to welcoming them.

Keep up the good work everyone!

Steve Oram

CFI (JAA)

Student
Profile
NAME
Paul Hopkins
AGE

24
PLACE OF BIRTH

England
NICKNAMES AND WHY?

Hoppo
PREVIOUS JOB/S

Recruitment consultant for Hays

MY FAVOURITE PASTIMES

I play a lot of sport. I was bought a squash racket for Christmas and Steve (JAR CFI) keeps threatening a game, but I don’t want to throw a match! I also spend a lot of time at the beach and have been known to visit the pub.
FUTURE GOALS
The first job! Then after that I’d like the left hand seat for a big carrier. Operational planning and development also looks interesting. Aside from career goals, I would like to travel more and get a debenture at Twickenham!
BEST AIRBORNE MOMENT TO DATE?
First solo. I don’t think I’ll ever forget the mix of exhilaration and outright fear when my instructor jumped out and I was taxiing to the runway.

Notes from the Mad Medic

 'Don't worry -It'll Never Happen'


Psychologists can outline a classic series of human reactions and emotions which are common responses to life threatening situations – none more so than by inexperienced pilots during an emergency in flight. The sequence may include the following:

  1. 1. Surprise (this was not supposed to happen! - often combined with a profanity)
  2. 2. Disbelief - ‘this cannot be happening!’
  3. 3. Search for causes (FCMIT)
  4. 4. Attempt to rectify
  5. 5. Anger (when step 4 is unsuccessful) - more profanities.
  6. 6. Fear – contemplating the worst scenario.
  7. 7. Confusion – what do we do now?
  8. 8. Helplessness
  9. 9. Panic
  10. or
  11. 10. Finally - take positive action.
    12. In the event of recovery and survival one may also experience
  12. 11. Recrimination - what did I do wrong/ who was at fault?

To some extent it is unfortunate that most of our younger pilots have been brought up in an age of reliable machinery - so we tend to put total faith in our aircraft and blindly trust that nothing will happen. We are therefore often poorly prepared for an emergency.

Good pilots should assume the worst regularly and spend spare moments during flight searching for suitable forced landing sites along every flight path. Pretend from time to time that you have had an electrical or engine fire or a radio failure and work out a strategy to survive such an event. The unexpected will then not be as difficult to cope with and steps 3 4 and 10 will be the only ones you need to apply.

Until next time
Keep safe


Karsten Juengling

Ham and Potato Bake

 

This potato bake cuts well and can be served hot or cold.

 


Ingredients

 

  • 3 large potatoes, peeled and halved
  • 1/2 medium onion, grated
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 150g shaved ham
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup cream
  • Salt & Pepper
    		•

    Preparation
    1. 1. Boil potatoes until tender, drain.
    2. 2. Let potatoes cool then cut into 1cm slices.
    3. 3. Line an 18cm springform tin with baking paper.
    4. 4. Layer potatoes, onion, ham and cheeses in tin (we finished with a layer of cheese).
    5. 5. Whisk remaining ingredients and pour over potatoes.
    6. 6. Bake at 180 degrees celsius for about 50 minutes, or until set.

    Safety

    		 It's a very positive time if you are gaining or have your pilots licence with aspiring pilots being extremely marketable. I recently met with our recruiting officer and asked the question, " what are the airlines looking for?"

    The first indication and admirable trait is motivation. This is displayed by actually applying to the airline/s and updating your application on a regular basis. Even if you don't meet the minimum requirements, showing your enthusiasm and motivation goes a long way to getting that interview.

    Another good indication is your desire to progress your career. Pilots who actively chase that next job to fly a bigger a/c or turbine or multi crew a/c demonstrate they are pursuing their goal as opposed to someone who stagnates in the same job for years and years.

    The interview process and format varies from airline to airline but usually always includes tech questions to an ATPL knowledge level and personal questions.

    On the personal side the attributes include someone who displays good leadership and team player qualities. Someone who is happy to follow the rules and conform, who is conservative but when challenged can be assertive, resourceful and adaptable. It is also very important to be respectful of those around you. Airlines employ people that can spend hours on end in a cockpit together without aggression, confrontation or boredom. "Can I sit next to this person for 8 hours?"

    I hope this helps some of you and if you require more info on hour requirements or other questions please contact the college for my contact details.

    Stuart Ralls

    		 Official Newsletter of the

    Western Australian Aviation College

    PH: +61 8 9417 7733

    www.waaviationcollege.com.au

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