Students Achievements & Milestones

ROCKHAMPTON AERO CLUB

Student Achievements & Milestones

		Nick Barnes Nick began training in May 2005 on his dad’s Grumman Lynx. While balancing school, work, trips away for the Defence Force and flying training, he managed to fly about once every two weeks. He established himself as one of the Aero Club’s best young pilots and passed the GFPT with flying colours in November 2005 followed by his Private Pilot Licence in November 2006, Formation Endorsement in April 2007, Retractable Endorsement and Variable Pitch Propeller Endorsement in September 2007. He also passed the Defence Force Flight Screening program in 2006 and joined ADFA in January 2008. Nick and his dad Garth are regulars at the Aero Club flying competitions...
		Joelene Buntain Joelene commenced flying in July 2004 and flew first solo in December that year. She achieved her GFPT in July 2005 and her PPL in April 2006. She is a regular competitor at our flying competitions. In 2005 she finished 2nd in Balloon Burst, 3rd in Flour Bomb and 3rd Student Overall. She recently competed with "Team Rocky" at ALAC's in Toowoomba, finishing 20th out of 43 competitors. She completed her night VFR in September 2006 and in the same month was awarded the Zonta Club of Central Queensland, 'Amelia Erhardt' Award. Read more.
		Shanon Clein Wherever there is a flying competition or air show, Shannon shows up. He has been helping the Aero Club with all aspects of flying since he started flying in May 2002. Shannon achieved his GFPT in March 2005.
	Photo not available	Greg Cross Greg started training with the Aero Club in June 2006. While running CQ Water Services, he has managed to fit in flights around work and home life and went first solo just under ten hours. He is currently working towards achieving his GFPT.
		Tim Davey Tim lives in Dysart and commutes to Rockhampton for his flying training. He commenced flying in September 2004 and achieved his first solo flight in just over ten hours. Due to the difficulty of travelling between Dysart and Rockhampton as well as balancing his work commitments, Tim has only managed to train during certain parts of the yea, but is currently very close to achieving his GFPT.
		Bruce Elliot Bruce has the fun of being a managing partner of three pharmacies in Yeppoon and Gracemere, while trying to conduct flying training in Rockhampton. He is also a State Councillor and Vice-President of PSA in Queensland, Co-Chair of the Student Relations Committee and member of the Continuing Education Committee. Due to his work commitments, he only manages to get to Rocky in spits and spats but since his commencement in July 2005, he has proved himself to be a very competent pilot and went first solo in just over ten hours. He is currently very close to achieving his GFPT.
		Stuart Hill Stuart started his training with the Rockhampton Aero Club in January 2003. He went first solo in one month and achieved his GFPT in only two months. In November 2005 he returned to complete his PPL in only three months. A very good effort!
		Andrew Holmes Andrew commenced training in February 2005, when he conducted lessons as much as possible over the weekends while living and working in Yeppoon. He conducted his first solo flight in ten hours and achieved his GFPT in just over twenty-five hours by July 2006.
		David Houston David originally learnt to fly on Tiger Moths many years ago and unfortunately didn't keep his flying going after conducting his first solo. He recommenced his training with the Aero Club in January 2006 and has conducted four lessons weekly since. He quickly proved himself to be a very competent pilot and went 'first solo' again in just over eight hours. He achieved his GFPT in October 2006 and Private Pilot Licence in November 2007
		Dr Michael John Michael commenced training in August 2005 on a one-flight-a-week basis. He is hugely enthusiastic towards his flying as well as the Aero Club and attends most of the Aero Club flying competitions. He achieved his GFPT in February 2007 and is currently working towards a Private Pilot Licence.
		Anthony McKane Anthony transferred to the Aero Club in November 2005. He went first solo with 7 hours of instruction from the Rockhampton Aero Club. While working at Birch Carroll and Coyle and Boost Juice, he has managed to continue his training and he achieved his GFPT in November 2007. He is currently working towards his PPL
		Nick Keating Nick started his training with the Aero Club in January of 2003. He required two six-month periods away from flying while completing high school at Rockhampton Grammar. He achieved his GFPT in April 2005 and his Private Licence in November 2006. He won the Old Station Competition in May of 2003 and was the Overall Spot Landing Champion in 2003. In January 2006 he achieved both Retractable Undercarriage and Variable Pitch Propeller Endorsements. Nick has completed a Night VFR Rating in November 2007 and is currently working towards a Formation Endorsement and Commercial Pilot Licence.
		Tom Kerr Tom commenced his flying training in February 2006 after spending many years flying with his father. He went first solo in just over nine hours and achieved his GFPT in January of 2006 in just over 25 hours. He is currently working towards a PPL.
		Kevin Lock Kevin has retired from full time work and has taken up flying training as a hobby. He commenced with a Trial Instructional Flight in October 2006 and went on to go first solo in March 2007. He is currently doing quite well on the way to his GFPT.
	Photo not available	Dr Brad Lorraway Brad commenced training in August 2005 after having a small taste of flying by being a passenger in his colleague's Mooney. At the time of his enrolment, there were several processing delays in all Australian licences which led him to go solo in fourteen hours, although he was very competent before that time. He has been an active student and he achieved his GFPT in September 2006. He is currently training towards his Private Pilot Licence.
		James May James started flying with the Rockhampton Aero Club in 2002. He gained his first solo in just over 8 hours before continuing on to achieve his GFPT, PPL and Night VFR rating in just over 18 months. He was the Aero Club's Pilot of the Year in 2002. In July 2006 he achieved his Commercial Pilot Licence in a Cessna 206. During the period of his training he has worked as ground staff for both Virgin Blue and Qantas in Rockhampton.
		Peter Mogg Peter started his flying training in May 2006 and has completed weekly lessons since. He achieved his first solo flight in early October in just over 10 hours and his GFPT in April 2007. He is currently working towards a Private Pilot Licence.
	Photo not available	Brigette Muller Brigette originally transferred to the Aero Club to conduct her theory exam and flight test for her Private Pilot Licence in December 2005. After a break from training, she is now working towards obtaining a Night VFR Rating.
		Ben O'Regan Ben commenced flying training with the Aero Club in February 2005. While balancing school and flying training, he managed to conduct roughly one lesson per week. He quickly proved himself to be a competent pilot and achieved his GFPT in April 2006, Private Pilot Licence in April 2007, Retractable Undercarriage and Variable Pitch Propeller Endorsements in July 2007, Night VFR Rating in October 2007 and Commercial Pilot Licence in November 2007. He won Pilot of the Year for 2007 and has now moved on to join the Qantas Cadet Program in Adelaide.
		Kyle Pead Kyle transferred to the Aero Club to complete the final part of his Private Licence in January 2006. He returned to Dubai for work commitments and has traveled back to Rockhampton several times since to complete more of his training. He is very close to achieving his Private Licence.
		Alex Randles Alex commenced training in May 2005. He has been conducting regular weekly lessons since he commenced with the Aero Club and he achieved his GFPT in July 2006.
		Brendon Rossow Brendon has been an enthusiast of aviation since his flying training began in 1996. He worked for Virgin Blue and Aviation Ground Handling (QANTAS) as a baggage handler while flying at the Aero Club during the majority of his training. He achieved his first solo flight in just over one month. After leaving aviation for a short time, he returned to complete his GFPT in 2003 before completing a PPL, CSU and NVFR in only four months. He won the Pilot of the Year 2003 and the Night Competition 2005. He achieved his Commercial Licence in February 2006 and after gaining knowledge and experience at Maroochydore for a year, he is now employed by the Aero Club as a Flying Instructor and Charter Pilot.
	Photo not available	Justin Scott Justin commenced training in July 2006 and has been flying as regularly as he can around work and other commitments. He went first solo in just over eleven hours and obtained his GFPT in November 2007..
	Photo not available	Dr Alexandra (Danda) Seddon Danda undertook a small amount of training in both the United Kingdom and Australia before moving to work at the Rockhampton Base Hospital as an Accident and Emergency Doctor. She commenced training with the Rockhampton Aero Club in September 2005 and achieved her first solo in less than 6 hours. In January 2006 she achieved her GFPT and undertook a few navigation exercises before returning to the UK.
		Alex Smith Alex commenced flying training with the Aero Club in October 2004, after returning from Mt Isa where he worked as a Police Officer. While juggling two jobs and a new baby, he achieved his First Solo in March of 2005 and GFPT in August of 2005. He is currently working towards achieving his Private Pilot Licence.
	Photo not available	Nathan Storch Nathan transferred to the Aero Club in December 2006. He undertook the remainder of his GFPT training on a casual basis and passed his GFPT in March 2007. He is currently working towards a Private Pilot Licence.
		Travis Whiting Travis has been training at the Aero Club since February 2005 after competing in flying competitions for almost a year. Travis won the Emu Park Competition in October 2004, won 3rd place in the Spot Landing Competitions of 2006 and was announced the Overall Student Winner of the Flying Competitions in 2006. He achieved his GFPT in February 2006. He is currently very close to achieving his PPL.
		Luke Winslade Luke started flying training with the Aero Club in August 2004. He achieved the Pilot of the Year 2005, Student Pilot of the Year 2005, Spot Landing Champion 2005 and won the McMaster Flying Competition in March 2006. He achieved his Private Pilot Licence in February 2006 and went on to achieve his Night VFR Rating in May 2006. Since then he has also achieved a Formation endorsement and Variable Pitch Propeller endorsement, as well as a Retractable Undercarriage endorsement and endorsements on the Piper Seneca, Piper Seminole and Partenavia. In 2006 Luke was awarded the Pilot of the Year, which benchmarked the first time a student has been awarded the Pilot of the Year for two consecutive years. He is currently training towards his Commercial Pilot Licence.

Pilot Documents