AVIATION PROGRAM INFORMATION BOOKLET 2015 SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 1
The Aviation Program offered at Snowy Mountains Grammar School is one of the few aviation educational opportunities offered at the secondary school level in Australia. The course offers those interested in flying as a career, a career in the aviation industry, or flying for recreation, the opportunity to begin their aviation studies while still at school. The course is governed by a committee comprising of Captain Steve Kaposi (SMGS Board Member & ATPL Pilot), Mr M Hughes (ex RAF pilot and instructor and CFI Alpine Aviation Australia) and Mr Phil Ryrie (SMGS Head of Aviation Studies). The course is built around a student s normal academic program. Not only does the course complement a student s academic pursuits, but it also provides them with the opportunity to gain aviation qualifications and thus a significant head start towards a commercial flying career or a career in the aviation industry should they so desire. Regardless of whether a student wants to fly for the airlines, the defence forces or to pursue an interest in other careers in aviation, the course offers the resources and opportunities to meet their aspirations. It provides an exciting and rewarding educational process which provides students with a significant advantage when applying for post school opportunities within the aviation industry and complements their normal academic program. A HISTORY OF SUCCESS The program was introduced into the school in 2009 with flying training taking place with Brindabella Flight Training in Canberra. Unfortunately, the flying school ceased operations and SMGS was left without a flight training provider for nearly a year. Flying training resumed with Snowy Aviation Academy who operate out of the Polo Flat Airfield in Cooma. While some of our students are still undertaking training through this school, the travelling distances to the airfield from SMGS put significant limitations on both the availability of flight training times and the number of students who could take advantage of these opportunities. Rowan Haydon our first commercial pilot now a First Officer with Sharp Airlines SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 2
Alpine Aviation Australia (AAA) under the directorship of CFI Martin Hughes, is now established at the Jindabyne Randall Community Aerodrome, located five minutes from SMGS. The establishment of this flying school now provides the opportunity for students to undertake their training close to the school. Some of the highlights of the program in its short history thus far include: one of our original 2009 students now a commercial pilot with Sharp Airlines seven students have gone solo four students have now obtained their pilot licence one student was awarded a $2500 flying scholarship from RA-Aus two students have been accepted into the NSW University Aviation program one student accepted into aviation at the Defence Force Academy COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To provide students with a competitive advantage when applying for post-school training opportunities such as cadet schemes, scholarships, university entrance and flying school entrance. 2. To provide students with the opportunity to gather enough information to make an informed decision with respect to pursuing a career as a commercial pilot or other careers within the aviation industry. 3. To enable students to qualify for an RA-Aus Pilot Certificate with cross country and passenger carrying endorsements. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO BE GAINED FROM UNDERTAKING THE COURSE Academic: The course provides many direct applications for middle and senior school subjects including: Geography, Science, PDHPE and Mathematics. Life skills: Undertaking flying training and the self-discipline involved in working through the theory component, helps develop a number of important life skills including: leadership ability to take direction threat and error management people skills caution and risk assessment appreciation of command decision making human factors SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 3
THE RA-AUS PILOT CERTIFCATE COURSE The school offers the opportunity for students to undertake the RA-Aus Pilot Certificate with endorsements, a cost effective and ideal entry point into the world of aviation. This qualification is the central platform of the school s flying program. The opportunity to convert from a RA-Aus Pilot Certificate to a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) is also available upon request. This course is offered under the rules and regulations as set out by RA-Aus (Recreational Aviation Australia). With the navigation and passenger carrying endorsements, this licence qualifies a pilot to fly an aircraft not exceeding 600kg and with only two seats. However, a pilot is not allowed to fly into controlled airspace as would be found surrounding major airports such as those located in Canberra, Melbourne & Sydney. The courses at SMGS are conducted in conjunction with the Alpine Aviation Australia (AAA) operating out of the Jindabyne Randall Community Aerodrome. For those wishing to undertake the PPL conversion qualification, flying training is provided by Merimbula Air Services operating out of Merimbula Airport and the Jindabyne Randall Community Aerodrome by arrangement. Flight training is conducted from these locations while the theory courses are undertaken at the school. Note: No ultra-light or homebuilt aircraft are used for training in the SMGS Aviation Program PILOT CERTIFICATE COURSE DETAILS The total cost for the course is $8850 comprised of $8400 (flying component) and $450 (theory component) Flying training: The approximate total costs of flying training: RA-Aus Pilot Certificate (RA-Aus): $8400 RA-Aus Pilot Certificate conversion to PPL (CASA) available upon request Note: 1. The fees for flight training are paid on an ongoing basis. Parents are asked to pay in 5 hours of instruction in advance. Should a student complete less than the 5 hours of instruction paid for, a refund will be provided. 2. The figures above are based on an approximate time of 40 hours flight training. 3. All flying training fees are payable to the flying school being employed (Alpine Aviation Australia) and any queries or negotiations need to be conducted with the Chief Flying Instructor of that flying organisation 4. On average, the flight training, theory courses and associated examinations/tests will take 2 years to complete. This time frame is presented as a guide only and there is no obligation to complete a course in this time. SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 4
SMGS flying training recommendations: The school understands that not all parents are in a position to finance flying training for their child. However, it is requested that parents consider the following: the flight instructors require five hours of flying to be able to fully assess a student s potential it is exceptionally difficult to undertake and perform well in the theory components without some flying most of the theory courses are designed to be taught alongside flying lessons it will be difficult for a student to make an informed decision about their interest in the industry without an introduction to actual flight Flying training organisation: Flying lesson appointments: Flying training can begin once the following steps have been taken: 1. The Head of Department (HOD) is informed of a student s intention to undertake flying training. The HOD will then organise the beginning of training. 2. The CFI from Alpine Aviation Australia will contact parents to discuss the course, administrative matters and the financial arrangements at the commencement of training. 3. Once a student has begun their flying training, the student and their flying instructor negotiate appointments for ongoing lessons. The HOD and the CFI from AAA keep in close contact in order to track each student s progress. Payment for flying lessons: Payment for lessons are made direct to AAA. Payment through the SMGS student accounting system is not available. There are different options for payment for flying including payment in installments over the two year course. Methods of payment can be negotiated with the flying school. Parents are asked to pay for 5 hours of lessons in advance. Should a student not complete the 5 hours of flying training a refund of the balance will be provided. Once flying training has commenced, there is no compulsion for complete payment for the whole course. Insurance: Parents are advised to discuss matters pertaining to insurance with the CFI from AAA and/or the SMGS Business Manager. SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 5
Flying Schools: Alpine Aviation Australia (AAA): Base: Jindabyne Randall Community Aerodrome Training aircraft: Jabiru 120 and 170 Licence: RA-Aus Pilot Certificate with endorsements CFI: Martin Hughes Ex-RAF pilot with over 3000 hours flying experience Pilot in command of Canberra bombers photo reconnaissance Trainer of pilots in the two seat transonic jet trainer Folland Gnat Flying instructor advanced flying techniques for qualified pilots including training of pilots in the RAF s elite formation aerobatic team, the Red Arrows Qualified RA-Aus instructor and examiner GROUND SCHOOL (THEORY) COMPONENT Theory: Two courses are offered through the school: Pilot Certificate Theory (Basic Aeronautical Knowledge, Air Legislation, Flight Radio Endorsement & Human Performance & Limitations) Cross country endorsement theory navigation, meteorology & flight preparation The approximate total fee for both courses is $450 ($200 for the Pilot Certificate Theory course and $250 for the Cross Country Endorsement Course) - payable to SMGS. The cost includes; 2 years Junior Membership Jindabyne Aero Club Theory folders and worksheets SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 6
Theory course materials: - Text books and logbook - Flight Bag - Flight computer - Navigation instruments - Current maps Ground School lessons operate on Wednesday in place of sports activities and one afternoon after school. Note: No tuition fees are charged for the theory course. COMMUNICATION Communication with regard a student s progress is an important element of the program. The communication process is by: Safety net: At the conclusion of five hours flying training and associated theory lessons, the flying instructors and HOD will advise parents on whether or not a student has the necessary aptitude and/or attitude to continue with flying training. Reports: Parents can contact the CFI and/or Head of Department at any time throughout the year for a progress report. Email / telephone: Parents can contact either CFI or the Head of Department (Aviation Studies Program) by email at any time. SAFETY IN AVIATION Flying is inherently a safe activity. Each day in Australia there are thousands of both commercial and private flights taking place. Unfortunately, when there is an incident, the press are quick to report such providing a biased perspective of the activity. This is not to say that flying does not have an element of risk. Given this, it is sad to note that the few accidents that occur each year, in many cases, could have been avoided. Far too often, accidents are a result of misjudgement by pilots, particularly private pilots. Examples of such misjudgement include: lack of adequate and/or diligent pre-flight inspections and checks mismanagement of fuel requirements lack of general planning flying into weather conditions pilots are neither trained for and/or in aircraft not suited for such conditions SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 7
flying too low performing certain manoeuvres at unacceptably low altitudes flying in a poor mental and/or physical condition failure to regularly practise essential flying manoeuvres and skills failure to stay current (that is, to be tested by a flying instructor, which is a legal requirement, at the appropriate intervals) lack of understanding of personal flying ability Two key factors that underpin flying safely are: aptitude - the development and attainment of sound flying skills and habits attitude - a compliant and highly self-disciplined attitude as well a willingness on the behalf of an individual to accept total responsibility for his/her actions, education and approach to flying These two factors represent the cornerstone of the SMGS Aviation Studies Program and students will be continually evaluated on them. A student s progress and possibly their continuation in the program, will depend heavily on how well they develop in each of these areas. Both the flying instructors and the SMGS staff will be highlighting the importance of these factors to students regularly throughout the course. SAFETY = APTITUDE + THE CORRECT ATTITUDE In short, safety can only be maintained when a student develops the required level of aptitude and exhibits the right attitude. If there is a deficiency in either of these areas or the development of such, it is most likely a student will be withdrawn from the program for a period of time. Attitude is of particular concern. Having the right attitude is a factor that develops over time. Such development is not confined to the program alone but needs also to be developed and exercised in all facets of a student s life. So there can be no confusion, listed below are some of the possible signs of a poor attitude within the school environment. Students exhibiting any one or more of the following will be required to present a case as to why they should not be suspended from the program until such time as improvement is made: rudeness or insolence to teachers or ancillary staff failure to wear their school uniform correctly failure to wear the right uniform failure to hand in work due a record of lateness to class a record of not bringing the right materials to class poor academic grades, particularly effort grades swearing (it is a civil offence to swear while undertaking radio communications) unacceptable attendance of aviation theory lessons an 80% attendance record is required SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 8
Students need to fully understand that if they are caught drinking alcohol and/or smoking, an immediate suspension of twelve months will apply. After twelve months they me re-apply but unless they can supply evidence of a significant development of maturity, there can be no guarantee their application will be successful. For other misdemeanours noted above, varying degrees of suspension may apply. Students must understand though, that readmission into the program will depend on them supplying evidence of improvement in the areas of concern. For the safety of the student and other personnel involved, the SMGS Committee must be convinced that a student has improved to the extent where the safety aspect is not compromised. MENTORING A mentoring system is a feature of the program. The Head of Department monitors each student s progress both in the aviation component and their normal academic program, bearing in mind the importance placed on the safety aspect. Where necessary, students will be counselled when issues arise that need addressing. Parents will be kept informed of any such developments. ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNITION SCHEME Throughout the program, student s achievements are recognised in a number of ways. Such recognition goes beyond the awarding of official qualifications and includes: the annual SMGS Aviation Prize, awarded on Speech Day for the most outstanding Aviation student in the year full and half colours recorded on a student s school blazer the awarding of an SMGS Aviation jacket once a student has gone solo or has successfully completed Ground School Phase 2 the awarding of a student s wings (badge) once a student has gone solo AVIATION CAREER OPTIONS Not all students interested in aviation want to become a pilot. The theory component in particular provides significant insights into the engineering side of the industry. Students interested in aircraft engineering have the opportunity to move into a number of different fields including: airframes engines instruments electrical and avionics radio SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 9
Other aviation related careers include: flight instructors air traffic control flight dispatch airline management The school wishes to acknowledge the ongoing support from the club members of the Jindabyne Aero Club. As well as their ongoing support, the club donated a large sum of money when the program was first established which was used to purchase aviation reference books for the students. For further information please contact: Mrs Joan Herringer Registrar Mr Phil Ryrie Head of Department - Aviation Studies Telephone: (02) 6457 1022 Telephone: 0407396530 joan.herringer@smgs.nsw.edu.au phil.ryrie@smgs.nsw.edu.au Mr M Hughes CFI Alpine Aviation Australia Telephone: 0405209685 alpineaviationoz@gmail.com Some useful websites: www.smgs.nsw.edu.au www.alpineaviationoz.com.au www.jindabyneaeroclub.org.au www.raa.asn.au www.casa.gov.au SMGS Aviation Program Information Booklet 2015 Page 10