SWAN Hill Aerodrome welcomed back flying instructor Nicholas Christie of Sport Aircraft Academy last weekend, as easing restrictions mean he can travel from Melbourne to work with his students.
“Restrictions have meant it’s been a hard few weeks, but coming back, it’s really exciting – I have even more students signed up to learn to fly, and two new aircraft,” Mr Christie said.
Sport Aircraft Academy students now have the opportunity to train in a two-seat Piper PA-28 Tomahawk, or a J160 Jabiru.
And the Tomahawk is available for private hire for any pilot in the region – it is the only general aviation aircraft available for hire in Swan Hill, and both planes are registered with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
“Essentially, this opens Swan Hill to recreational pilots who want to fly, and I’ve already had pilots contact me and say, ‘It’s great you’ve got your plane here so we don’t have to go all the way out to Bendigo or Echuca’,” Mr Christie said.
“Between this and the fantastic work the Swan Hill Rural City Council have been doing to upgrade the facilities, with the new runway almost complete, it just opens up the town to so many possibilities.
“I really would like to commend the council on the work they’re doing, as the more Swan Hill becomes a hub for general aviation activity and emergency aircraft stopovers, it’s just great for the economy.”
Two of Mr Christie’s students, Michael, 14, and Zachary Sakac, 15, have ties to Lake Boga.
“Our dad (Laslo) used to fly chartered flights, and it’s inspired us to become pilots,” Zachary said.
“Being able to travel the world, and getting paid to do it as part of your job, that would just be incredible.”
“And being in a light aircraft, it’s so different to being in a commercial flight where you’re the passenger,” Michael said.
“You can absolutely see everything for miles, it’s a different way of looking at the world.”
Both Michael and Zachary said learning to fly, with its constant need for safety protocols, also made them feel very secure.
“Everything’s planned to precision when you get in a plane,” Zachary said.
“It’s very systematic, the way you need to check the engine, log your hours, it just teaches you important life skills in being prepared.
“I think it’s even safer than learning to drive on the road.”
Zachary is close to going on his first solo flight, and Mr Christie himself began flying when he was 13.
“Age doesn’t discriminate when it comes to learning to fly – I’ve taught teenagers all the way up to people in their eighties.”
Mr Christie said the majority of Swan Hill residents were proud of their airport.
“And it should be promoted as much as possible, because of how much it can bring in terms of tourism.
“Any negativity I’ve heard about airport traffic – it’s incorrect, it’s hearsay by just a small number of people.
“Swan Hill airport has the potential to once again become a premium destination for recreational pilots, and bring more vibrancy back into the town.
“I think there’s a way to balance the town’s peaceful beauty with an airport that gives a great economic return.”
For a limited time, Sport Aircraft Academy is offering $150 trial flights and flight gift cards are available for Christmas.
