WAAC STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Written by RIley White

I was bitten by the ‘aviation bug’ at a young age. Looking back, it’s hard to pin point when my passion for everything aviation begun. Ever since I can remember, I have been glancing up towards the sky, mesmerised by these machines that seem to cut through the air so elegantly. It goes without saying that achieving a career in aviation was my goal. Growing up as an aviation enthusiast - I flew simulators, collected model aircraft and learned the ins and outs of how planes fly. At the time I did this out of pure passion, however I later learned that all this enthusiasm would one day help me. When I was 16 I began flying down at the Bunbury Aero Club. Paying hour-by-hour, I was only able to fly once every fortnight or so. However it kept my passion alive. After graduating high school, I went to university to study nursing, and though this was an exciting adventure, I quickly realised this wasn’t what I wanted to do. I left university and worked on a gold mine near Laverton known as Sunrise Dam Gold Mine, I got a job as an Aerodrome Reporting Officer. I did training for this role and quickly began working an 8 days on, 6 days off roster.

My job involved the management of the onsite airport. My duties were widespread and exciting; everything from passenger movements (check in), runway and lighting inspections, wildlife management, baggage, refuelling and much more. I worked closely with the airlines that flew to site and became good friends with the crew and operations teams. I also was able to learn so much more about aviation and ground operations.

Though I did love my job, after two years of watching planes come in and out every day, I simply couldn’t stay on the ground any longer – I wanted to be one of the pilots who I saw every day.

I knew that the journey to becoming a pilot was going to be intense and difficult. Thanks to FIFO, I had sufficient savings so that I could live comfortably while studying. I researched a few aviation colleges around Perth, and beyond. I stumbled upon WAAC, and after a quick phone call, I was sold.

I began my training in April and was stunned by how quickly I progressed. I was one of a few students in my class who had a little prior flying experience, though there were some who had never flown before.

Roughly 6 weeks in, all my class mates and I had earned our Recreational Pilot License, and were quickly onto our PPL training.

Fast forward to now, I can’t believe how far we all have come. If someone had said to me a year ago that in December, 2022, that I would be ¾ way though commercial pilot training and that I am currently a licensed pilot who can fly with friends and family, I would’ve laughed.

WAAC has made this dream possible for me. I’ve spoken to many pilots about my training; I’m yet to meet one that hasn’t met a pilot that has come from the college. The Royal Aero Club has a reputation that vibrates through the aviation community of Australia, a reputation of producing quality, professional and safe pilots. These are all reasons why I wear my uniform with pride, and strive to become one of those quality pilots.

When asked where I want to take my aviation career, I’m still undecided. Everything from instructing to fire spotting is appealing. One thing is for sure though, I want to go back to Sunrise Dam, this time however - I won’t be wearing high vis!