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

As I was saying we are on a roll. Peter Linard conducted his first solo flight yesterday. Well done Pete. What is really nice is Pete and Ryan the guy who went solo not long ago, featured in a previous post are brothers.

I have know these young men for some thirteen years or more so it has been a real treat being the one to teach them to fly. They are both very fine pilots and will go on to enjoy many years of fun. Pete is also about to complete his LAME (Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer)apprenticeship at Rudy’s Aero Engines later this year, so this is truly another feather in his cap.

Congratulations Pete we are thrilled for you.

Lorraine

As we eluded to before Edge Aviation owns it’s J160D Jabiru which was bought brand new from the factory. The second one has been on order since last year and we are due to pick it up in mid February this year (next month). This will give us two new training aircraft. The aircraft are identical in every way meaning that should you fly a different aircraft each time, you will not notice any difference other than the registration.

We also have coming on line in mid March this year a brand new J230D Jabiru. This aircraft will also be identical in its fitout. So those wishing to step up to the larger aircraft with a little more ‘grunt’ will make the transition easily.

All going well, which it is with the number of students and the hours being flown Edge Aviation will most likely order a further new aircraft mid to later in the year.

So finally those that have learnt to fly locally will have a choice of aircraft available for private hire. No point learning to fly if there is nothing for you to hire.

So ask us about our hire rates and you can set off on that long overdue trip.

Forgot to mention in my last post that Ryan Linard has gone on and completed his Pilot’s Certificate. Congratulations Ryan.

Ryan is now racking up a little more command time and next week we should be starting his navigation training. Now that he can fly the aircraft and can focus on perfecting his new found skill we now must learn to find our way around.

This is the fun part. It can be challenging at first as there is quite a bit to learn, but it is all good stuff. You must complete a minimum of 12 hours navigation flying exercises, 2 hours of which is a solo flight.

Craig Gardner is not far behind Ryan and should be able to complete his in the next week or so.

Well done guys! We are proud of you and happy that you are realising that dream to fly.

Lorraine

Well things are going great guns at Edge Aviation. Bob sent our next student off on his first solo flight. Nick Wilson did everything right this morning in perfect conditions so the time was right for that first solo flight.

Some of you would recognise Nick as he is the Duncans grog rep. Nick is new to the Aviation industry and wants to get his pilots licence so he can travel with his family.

Well Nick you are on your way to achieveing that goal.

Congratulations your flying holiday is that much closer. Well Done!

Lorraine