Official Newsletter of the Western Australian Aviation College – November 2006

From the Principal's Desk

Welcome to our November issue of CentreLine.

Congratulations to our lecturers, in particular Wayne Crosby. Our JAA exam pass rate has steadily increased over the last four sittings, 82%, 83%, 98% and finally on the last session we hit the magic 100% pass rate. An outstanding effort by staff and students, however we are mindful that it is difficult to reach the top, much harder to stay there!

I would like to make a warm welcome to our most recent addition to the College, Andy Wood who has joined us from the UK. Andy brings with him a wealth of experience in JAA training, especially with his comprehensive technical background. We are very proud to have Andy as a member of our team.

The beautiful weather has accelerated the flying schedule of late. With our new CFI, Steve Oram, at the helm, the instructors’ feet have hardly been on the ground. Perth is renown for its fantastic climate, and we are taking advantage of those 300 blue-sky days a year to plough through the flying schedule at a good rate.

This week we will see the first Red Bull Air Race that Perth has hosted. It is an attraction that has created enormous interest. I have never seen aircraft flying at 400Kph, 60 feet from the ground, simultaneously pulling 10Gs. It should be great fun. We wish all the competitors a fun and safe tournament.

I hope you enjoy this issue.

Happy flying.

Mark Cheveralls
Head of Training & College Principal

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

http://www.waaviationcollege.com.au/

Helicopter News

First up I would like to congratulate Dave Coates on successfully completing his CPL flight test. His approach to his training has been commendable throughout the course and his hard work has now paid off. He now plans on continuing studying at the college towards his IREX exam.

The health of the industry continues to improve and some of the major employers of helicopter pilots have been actively recruiting recently. I like to keep an eye on relevant articles in the media and everything I am reading at the moment suggests that the shortage of helicopter pilots and engineers is not going to go away in a hurry. Whilst this is no guarantee of employment for new guys and girls, it does sway the odds in their favor. Machine purchases in Asia have increased significantly in line with their buoyant economies. Lack of qualified crews to fly them will put further pressure on operators in the region to source suitable employees.

A lot of industries benefit from resource ‘booms' such as that currently occurring in W.A. The helicopter industry is one and I am hoping that it will lead to increased opportunities for everyone who has taken the time and effort to suitably train themselves. So all in all, there are a number of factors that are improving the lot of the new helicopter pilot.
Safe Flying!

Craig Peterson

Comedy Corner

This month's funnies

A bloke joins a monastery and takes a vow of silence: he's allowed to say two words every seven years. After the first seven years, the priors bring him in and ask for his two words. "Food cold," he says. They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him back in and ask for his two words. He clears his throat and says, "Bed hard." They nod and send him away. Seven more years pass. They bring him in for his two words. "I quit," he says. "That's not surprising," the priors say. "You've done nothing but whinge since you got here."

Industry
News

Daily flights from Perth to Dubai on Emirates

From September Emirates has been flying the 290 seat Boeing 777-300Ers every morning of the week and on December 1 the evening flight will be operated by the larger 358 seat Boeing 777- 300ER. These aircraft are powered by the world's most powerful jet engine- the GE90-15GB, which develops 115,000 pounds of thrust.

The 777s are fitted with Emirates' ICE (information, communications and entertainment) system, which features 600 channels of entertainment, more content than any other in-flight entertainment system in the air including 50 new media releases, 25 movie classics, 25 children's films and a large number of world cinema films as well as a host of audio offerings.

EasyJet

UK based Easy Jet and its archrival, Ryanair, have reshaped European aviation with low fares and by pioneering new routes to many previously unknown destinations.

Last financial year to September 2005, Easyjet carried 29.6 million passengers and served 258 routes between 72 European airports.

Virgin Blue getting into business

Virgin Blue began a push for the business market about 12 months ago and has delivered the airline a 12 per cent lift in net profit in the nine months ending June 30.

CEO Brett Godfrey attributes some of the result to Virgin's focus on the corporate market but suggests that the best is yet to come. The airline now has 51 737-800s dubbed NGs for ‘New Generation' operating over 300 flights a day to 22 destinations in Australia and the Pacific region under the Pacific Blue brand. In June, it ordered nine more 737-800s, exercising price rights placed in 2003, to replace leased aircraft.

Virgin Blue introduced web check-in and the Velocity rewards program and this year has opened lounges at major airports. The next big addition will be live TV in connection with Foxtel.

New Bangkok airport

The Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok was open for business in early October replacing the overloaded and out-of-date Don Muang Bangkok International Airport.

Suvarnabhumi will handle 45 million passengers and further expansion in five years will lift that number to 100 million. Suvarnabhumi will operate 76 flights per hour and has 51 aerobridge stands and 69 remote parking bays.

The terminal, which consists of eight levels, is the largest single terminal in the world at 182,000 sq m with a total floor area of 563,000 sq m. The new airport is a massive boost for Thai International, which is adding a fifth service into Perth from October 29 and from that date will offer flights on Tuesdays and Sundays at 4.50pm and on Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays at 9am.

Mobile phones in flight

QANTAS recently announced that one of its Boeing 767s will be fitted to allow mobile phone use in-flight.

The news comes as a survey commissioned by OnAir- an in-flight phone provider shows that business travellers are leading the push for in-flight communications.

The global survey indicated that business travellers in particular wanted to use their smartphones, such as BlackBerry and Treo, to send ande receive emails and to be reachable by phone during flights, making time spent on board as useful as any other part of their working day.

Qantas has teamed with Telstra, Panasonic Avionics Corporation and AeroMobile- OnAir's competitor in the evaluation.

Calendar of Events

BAK
6 & 7 Jan, 8:30-17:00

Private Pilot Licence
8 January

Commercial Pilot Licence
8 January

Advanced Diploma
Next start date is 9 January

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 August edition:

What is the formula for calculating aspect ratio?

Aspect ratio =	Span²

	Wing Surface Area

This month’s question:

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

Answer will be revealed next edition

Kevin Lathbury

Comments from the Chief

Hi everyone,

It's great to be back in WA.
The last time I was here was in 2001 and I just hope that I have as good a time this time around as then.
It's also great to be part of the team at WAAC. I know that things will work out really well.
The first JAR course are now well under way, have started flying and loving every minute (I think they are just glad to get out of the classroom!). They are doing really well.
I just hope they appreciate that in about 12 months time they could well be sitting in the right hand seat of an Airbus or 737…and getting paid for it! Well-done guys, here's to the rest of the course, it is hard work but it will be worth it.
We look forward to the second JAR course joining us very soon and hope they achieve just as well.

Bye for now,

Steve Oram
CFI (JAA)

Student
Profile

NAME George Njue

AGE
22

PLACE OF BIRTH
Kenya

NICKNAMES AND WHY?
G-Man. People say George makes me sound like an old chap plus my mates couldn't think of a decent one.

GOALS
After the course I would like to work with the U.N. in Africa flying relief aid supplies in war-torn countries and there after go to the airlines. I hope to get into Kenya Airways, Emirates, Cathay, Qantas or British Airways i.e. ‘The Big Boys' and rise to the rank of fleet manager or chief pilot.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Definitely my first solo, high on adrenaline and scared to death at the same time. I also enjoyed flying along the W.A. coastline from Jurien Bay to Jandakot. Sun on the West, city on the East and a beautiful view of the beach at near sunset. It only reminds you that you're in the worlds best office.

Notes from the Mad Medic

‘The Urge to Purge’

As pilots I am sure that most of us will admit to have experienced the odd bout of motion sickness at one time or another during our early careers. Some may even have suffered the indignation of reproducing their last meal.
This uncomfortable experience is caused by motional over stimulation of the balance mechanism, which is located in the inner ear.
Messages from non-visual channels override visual cues and sensory confusion results, producing a giddy feeling.
Turbulence, unusual attitudes, and certain manoeuvres are the principle causes. Hot, smelly, cockpits, anxiety, and stress (flight test conditions!) increase the likelihood of an episode. Even the thought that one may become airsick can trigger an event. At worst this may result in vomiting. At the least it become a distraction to a pilot engaged in the complex tasks of flying an aircraft. While things do get better as we become more experienced there are ways that the early student can minimise problems.
Avoid flights that involve turbulence - check the weather before planning a flight.
Eat a light meal prior to a sortie. Full and empty stomachs are two extremes that are sure-fire ways to embarrass yourself.
Fly your aircraft smoothly and in balance.
Avoid excessive G-forces (when learning aerobatics introduce manoeuvres a few at a time).
Breathe fresh air and finally, learn to relax If all else fails and a technicolour display is imminent, the good old 'comfort bag' within reach may help to instil some degree of confidence.
By the way did you know that the Aussie slang word 'chunder' came from 'watch under'? - I will leave the details to your imagination.

Karsten Juengling

Universal Stir-Fry

Colourful and crunchy, these vegetables can be made with any meat or fish. This recipe uses chicken. Makes 4 serves

Ingredients
500g chicken breast
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated or crushed
1 red capsicum
1 teaspoon cornflour
1/2 cup of water
1 tablespoon oil (optional)

Utensils
Chopping board and knife
Wok or larger frypan
Cup
Mixing bowls
Measuring cups and spoons

Preparation

1. Cut skin off chicken, cut into thin slices or small chunks
2. Put in a bowl, add soy sauce and ginger
3. Chop broccoli into small pices (florets), slice the mushrooms and cut the capsicums into thin strips.
4. Put chopped broccoli, capsicum and mushrooms into another bowl.
5. Use a spoon to blend cornflour and water until smooth.
6. Put oil in wok or frying pan and heat on the stove.
7. Add chicken and sauce mixture to pan, stir chicken until almost cooked (about 5 minutes).
8. Turn up heat. Add all the vegetables and stir for 2-3 minutes.
9. Pour cornflour mixture into vegetables and stir until sauce thickens. Serve hot alone or with rice or noodles.

Safety

The left hand seat of a passenger jet seems so far away when you are learning to fly (we never stop learning) or coming to grips with cross country navigation, or when you have written the umpteenth application for your first paid job, I know because I've been there. I'm still working toward the left hand seat but I am a little closer being in the right. And that is what it is all about, working toward your goal and never losing sight of where you want to be but at the same time enjoying where you are. It is fantastic to see ex students of mine with the joy and excitement they get as they progress through their careers, getting on to the twins and then the turbines, a well worn path traveled by many now working in the airlines. Unfortunately, there is no correct path to take and no definite way to achieve your goal except for hard work, commitment, a little luck and doing the best job you can with every task you tackle.
As your instructor about the 5 P's, take pride in your appearance and treat others how you would like to be treated and you can't go too far wrong. It worked for me.
Safe Flying

Stuart Ralls

Official Newsletter of the