SPORTS Aircraft Academy owner and licensed aviation instructor Nicholas Christie has been flying planes since he was 13 years old, and is bringing his accredited and exceptional pilot training school to Swan Hill.
“I started flying with my dad,” Mr Christie said of the start of his decades-long career.
“Eventually I got my private license, and then my commercial license, in my teens.
“By the time I was 20 years old I had an aviation instructor license.”
Mr Christie knew immediately that Swan Hill would be the perfect place for a flying school after seeing the facilities.
“The three long runways, with one being upgraded by council – it’s just wonderful,” Mr Christie said.
His training aircraft is a two seat Jabiru J-170C, a plane which is made in Australia for the express purpose of training and touring.
“It’s comfortable, it’s safe, and it’s quite new as well,” Mr Christie said.
When taking students up in the air Mr Christie can still take control of the plane, and has found the weather and flat terrain of Swan Hill to be incredibly ideal for his work.
“It means we (Mr Christie and the student) have that added element of safety, and we can avoid the town as much as possible,” he said in terms of flight paths.
The planes also have their engines serviced every 25 hours, and Mr Christie said it’s as comprehensive as a car being serviced.
In addition to bringing in his plane, Mr Christie is also adding value to the Swan Hill Airport by having an SUV for tourists to hire for only six dollars an hour, with students being able to hire the car for free.
At Sport Aircraft Academy, students can begin their journey in getting a full commercial licence, or get a full recreational licence, Mr Christie said.
“It’s accelerated learning, where instead of charging by the hour, the student gets to learn theory one on one and get practical training for half a day,” Mr Christie said.
“You can achieve more in less time, with 20 hours minimum in the air.”
After achieving a recreational license, the student is allowed to fly anywhere in Australia, Mr Christie said.
Sports Aircraft Academy training ranges from $12,000 to $20,000, and is one of the more affordable flight schools.
Mr Christie said he has had a positive response so far from the community for his flying school, and is full of praise for the airport.
“In terms of emergency services such as fire and ambulance aircraft, it’s just vital to the community.
“And as a stopover for light aircraft, it’s excellent for planes going from Adelaide to Sydney and vice versa, or Melbourne to Adelaide, Broken Hill, Alice Springs.”
Mr Christie can be contacted via 0466 649 868, and more information can be found at www.sportaircraftacademy.com.au
Sport Aircraft Academy training is appropriate for people aged 14 to 80.
