Well about time I added to the blog! Bob and I had the pleasure of taking a new GA8 Airvan, manufactured in Latrobe Valley, up to Kununurra in the Kimberley Region. Alligator Airways in Kununurra had purchased 5 brand new Airvans to add to their fleet. Alligator conduct scenic flights in this region, particularly well known for their flights around the famous Bungle Bungles.

Once we delivered the brand new aircraft we were to return home with one of the Airvans that they traded in. With 8,000 hours on the old one it was in need of some TLC after having done many Bungle Bungle flights.

I have only done one other outback trip before but I have to tell you travelling from one corner of this country to the other is quite a treat. We have the most awesome country and scenery. Whilst I look forward to that trip to Paris or somewhere exotic, none of us should overlook what we have right on our own doorsteps. The enormity of this great land, its vastness and its unspoilt beauty. It is truly magic, breathtaking and just plain bloody wonderful.

We were gone for 8 days (had a little rest as well). Alligator needed the aircraft straight away for their peak season operations. So we had to push to get the aircraft up there, 14.7 hours flying spread over one and a half days. Quite a big push, but we got it there and Alligator Airways were happy to see it arrive. We struck head winds coming home, so the return trip was 17 hours. We travelled – West Sale to Mildura for fuel, Mildura to Broken Hill, fuel and overnight stay as tghere was no accommodation in Birdsville. Birdsville for fuel then on to Alice Springs for fuel. Tenant Creek was our next stop for fuel and then onto Kununurra. Coming home we stopped Tenant Creek for fuel, then to Alice Springs overnight and fuel, then off to William Creek and over Lake Eyre, William Creek for the night and fuel. Fuel was running short so we managed to get sufficient to take us to Marree to fill up for the next leg to Broken Hill. Overnigh Broken Hill and more fuel, then home to West Sale. Yes you are right, lots of fuel. But if you compare doing these trips in a light aircraft or trying to get there on commercial flights then I can tell you it is cheaper doing it yourself, even if you have to hire an aircraft.

If you get a chance to travel to Kununurra a flight with Alligator out to the Bungle Bungles is a must. It will rate as one of the higlights of your life. Lake Argyle, the Argyle diamond mine all from the air are spectacular. Alligator Airways are a great and very professional operator and I can assure you, you will be well looked after.

Ferry flights are not without there problems and I only wished that we had video of me trying to use the new Shell fuel facility at Tenant Creek!!! Apart from requiring a technology degree, a lot of patience and a sense of humour and some time to spare, what can I say automating things is not always the best. I could have trashed this fool fuel outlet.

Ferrying aircraft is fun but not always easy and if it can go wrong it usually does, fog delays, refuelling delays and aircraft problems all add to the fun and the experience.

I have attached some photos for you to hopefully enjoy and maybe this will inspire you to complete your training, or start your training and get yourself flying across this great land of ours. Our backyard is huge and extraordinary. Will attach some more later. Below is Lake Eyre and Lake Frome.

Well as I have said before the activity in the Flying School has far exceeded our expectations, which is fantastic. We will continue to provide a high quality of training and all the things that students expect. Friendly atmosphere, nice facilities and high quality training. It is important to us that you are happy at Edge Aviation. We welcome our new students and trust that your time with us will be fun and full of safe flying.

The number of students continues to grow everyday and we now have 17 active students. All are at varying stages of their training. We will be having our first ‘Wings Dinner’ this year and will keep everyone posted on the date for that event.

If we continue to grow at this rate we can see another possible new aircraft not too far away. We will see how it all goes. We have 5 students all starting Navigation training so we will all get to venture out of the local area. Many of our students will now experience cross country flight and truly feel the freedom that flying brings to their lives.

Some are influenced at a young age. I found this photo of my two children taken back in the 80’s sitting on the steps of a RAAF Hercules aircraft at Richmond RAAF Base in NSW. No wonder they both ended up flying.

It is all good fun. I have been scouting through my old photos so as I come across the funny ones will put them up for your entertainment.

Keep flying, keep your training going and keep smiling. Cheers Lorraine

Wanting to try and provide a good and useful site for fellow aviators we have just included weather links on our Flight Training page. So if you want to check out the weather for booking in your lessons or you are about to head off on that weekend away then this is a necessary and useful tool.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the nice weather when we have it and finish off your training. Winter is a great time to fly with smoother and usually more stable weather conditions. Keep your eye out for more web updates and improvements. Lorraine

Just over a week ago we added a further Jabiru to the fleet. As you may be aware we had purchased two brand new J160D Jabiru’s. These two aircraft have done 260 hours of training in the past less than a year. We are very pleased with the activity in the Flying School. So much so the success that our close friend Phil Linard decided to purchase a new J230D to put on line with us.

Our students will now have a great aircraft to step up to and a lovely private hire aircraft for their trips away. We have maintained a fleet appearance and the instrument panel in the J230 is identical to the J160’s. This means our students once trained will notice no other difference between the aircraft other than the extra performance and some subtle differences in the handling.

We look forward now with three aircraft to doing some Formation flight training, so watch this space! Below is a photo of Bob on the left (the CFI) and the proud new owner Phil on the right.

This is a sweet aircraft, come and check it out. Cheers for now. Lorraine

Congratulations Nick. Nick has showed what not quitting can do. Yes you get there and pass your Pilots Certificate test flight.

Nick is now pushing ahead with getting his 5 hours solo flying so he can take his wife Anita and his kids and I think his brother for a local flight. After this Nick is starting his Cross Country training so he can go on that weekend away. Great stuff Nick we are really happy for you. You are well on your way now.

As I think I told everyone previously we purchased our own Cessna 172N. The problem was that it had these horrible brown and yellow stripes on it. Clearly not in keeping with the Edge Aviation red and black colour theme. So it had to go. After a bit of work in the paint shop, out she came with the red and black.

Good stuff! And we have also had the company logo placed on the tail. A little more chrome striping should see this aircraft looking a bit more trendy. We are also going to upgrade the aircraft to IFR in the not too distant future.

We have had great reports back from all that have flown the aircraft saying it is one of the smoothest 172’s they have flown. So that is good stuff. The aircraft at present is Night VFR. It is just a nice tidy aircraft. So if you need a nice clean reliable aircraft to hire she goes out at the moment for $185 per hour (wet hire).

Here is a photo with the new red and black, looks much better I say!!! Sorry to all of you that like the brown and yellow!!!!

Instructing is very rewarding to say the least. We take pride in ensuring our students receive training that is of a high standard at the same time ensuring they have a relaxing and fun time whilst at Edge Aviation.

Having a student go on their first solo flight is just as exciting for the instructor as it is for the student. I just had to include this photo as you can see from the look on Bob’s face that he is just as excited as Ray.

All the students first solo flights are particularly special as this is a huge achievement for them personally. It is very satisfying for the instructor to see them achieve a goal or in many cases a dream. We care about you and your learning experience. You are literally like seeing our chicks leave the nest.

Congratulations to you all and all the instructors that care about their students, their safety, what it is they are trying to achieve. It is not always about making money in a flying school. For Bob and I it is more about seeing you spread your wings and enjoy what we love so much. Flying!

Congratulations go to Ray Vickers of Heyfield. Ray started flying with us not long after we started training. Ray had a break in his training due to business commitments.

However it did not take long before he was back in the groove and achieving that first solo flight. Ray was very excited, as he should be. He looks forward to taking his lovely wife Bec and his kids flying. We know that Ray’s family is very proud of him, just as we are. Good on ya Ray!

Sorry about the lack of Blog content lately. We have been busy picking up new aircraft, repainting the stripes on the Cessna 172N and of course doing the flying training. We have also been pretty busy with our commitments with Gippsland Aeronautics at Latrobe Valley, so not much time for doing anything else.

Anyway back now, so I will try and make sure we get all the latest news up and of course some more photos.

So hang in there! I will be back shortly.

Cheers

Lorraine

Wanting to make sure we cater for our students wishing to also acquire their General Aviation Pilots Licence we decided to purchase a Cessna 172N.

We stumbled across one that was in great condition both inside and out. The only problem that we could see with it was that it was not sporting our company colours of red, white , black and silver. So in order to rectify that the aircraft will shortly be off to have the noticable Edge colour scheme installed. In the meantime here is a photo that shows it as purchased, with the traditional yucky brown and yellow stripes. Sorry to those you that love that brown and yellow, just not my cup of tea.

This aircraft will also be available for private hire at a rate of $185 per hour. We are glad that VH-BFK nows is a part of our growing fleet.

If you are interested in hiring this aircraft just contact us and we will get you sorted for hiring aircraft with Edge.

The aircraft was missing the nose wheel spat so we are replacing that. Many people remove them as they can be prone to damage. The aircraft in my view look nicer with them fitted. We are trying hard at Edge to provide aircraft for hire that are either new or in at least very good to excellent condition. With our own maintenance organisation we are able to ensure that your aircraft are maintained regularly and to a high standard. No more hiring crappy, tired looking aircraft. If you are paying for it then you are entitled to have tidy aeroplanes to fly that are clean neat and in good repair.

Lorraine and Bob