WAAC STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Written by Will Evans

I have always had a keen interest in aviation. It is well entrenched in my family’s history and I have always endeavoured to align myself with the industry. From joining the Royal Australian Air Force Cadets in my early teens, to completing a Certificate IV in Aeronautics during the later years of high school, the desire has always been there. Ultimately, that passion is what made me make the jump from my job with the State Government late last year, after 5 ½ years. I also owe it to my friend Travis Schofield who took me on a flight to Rottnest in a C172 in early 2021 – that is what planted the seed for me to get out of the daily 9-5 grind! I am so pleased to see Travis progressing through his Private Pilot Licence training in recent months. Back in March, I was over the moon to hear I had been selected to be part of the College’s April intake and I haven’t looked back since. Since then, I have thoroughly enjoyed my training and am delighted to have recently attained my Private Pilot Licence. I’m now working my way towards a Commercial Pilot Licence, flying the Mooney M20J.

The integrated course presents many challenges. It is fast paced and at times can have quite a hefty workload – indeed, a good introduction to the aviation industry! One thing that has made it easy for me are the people I am surrounded by. My classmates in B22 are awesome – I am forever grateful for the friendships I have formed with those guys and my other peers at the College. My ground and flying instructors are fantastic, and everyone else that keeps the WAAC & RACWA ‘engine’ running are all a great support. I am thankful for everyone I am surrounded by at the College, whom I interact with daily.

Put simply, I love the Club and the College. I love the flying, the theory classes, and the prospect of a very exciting career ahead of me. Looking over the cowling of an aircraft from the cockpit certainly beats looking at a computer screen all day!