Humans taking to the sky has always marked significant moments in history, just look at the Wright Brothers, or how the Moon landing stopped the nation.
Now aviation is accessible to more people than ever before and rather than just being a passenger, there are plenty of flight schools and courses that will teach you to pilot your own aircraft; from ultra light aircraft like Cessnas and Foxbats to a helicopter!
National Aerospace Training, at Essendon Airport in Victoria, offers courses for pilots with a variety of experience. Training ranges from starter courses for amateurs who require full safety and control education and wish to obtain a Student Pilot License, to courses that will provide a student with Commercial Pilot License (CPL) which allows them to fly a commercial aircraft for an airline.
Trial Instructional Flights (TIF) offer a “try before you by” option, where participants are shown how to work and run an aircraft with out actually taking over the controls. These courses are a great way to learn the fundamentals about specific aircrafts, and see if the course is right for you. These are perfect for those looking for new adult learning opportunities.
Helicopter flight lessons are offered by Becker Helicopter Services at the Sunshine Coast Airport in Mudjimba. Courses use an R22 helicopter and range from TIF and safety lessons to courses with a focus on advanced skill sets like low flying training and mountain flying training.
Becker Helicopter Services also offers a trial flight, in which a trainer takes the student up for a flight. If the student is feeling confident, the instructor will let them take over the controls for a short while to give a real taste of flying. These courses can make great gifts for anyone with a sense of adventure.