Page 4 - Air Chat Issue 7

Chief Pilot/Head of Operations Report

Back to the Future

Hello Everyone,

I’m very pleased to be taking on the roles of Chief Pilot and Head of Operations (formally known as

Chief Flying Instructor), at Redcliffe Aero Club. There are many who already know me from my

previous time here at RAC (between 1999 and 2007), during which time I held the CP/CFI roles for
approximately two and a half years. It has been a very pleasant experience for me since taking up
the reins again (on Wednesday 15 April). I’ve been renewing many old friendships and meeting
th
lots of people for the first time. The club members have made me feel very welcome and I have
been very pleased and encouraged by the positive attitude, support and understanding given to me
by all of our staff and committee members. This support will ensure that the time of transition is
smooth for everybody who relies upon us for excellent flying training and service in meeting their
flying and club-based needs.

For those who don’t know me (and for those who may be curious about what I have been doing for
the past eight years), here is a brief synopsis:

Like many people, I’ve been fascinated by aviation since my earliest memory. In 1976, at sixteen
years of age, I had my first full-time job (apprentice electrician) and as such could afford to pay for
flying lessons. (One week’s pay allowed one lesson.) I flew solo at sixteen years of age and gained
my PPL at seventeen. Through the 1980s I worked as an electrician and flew as a private pilot,
making the transition to a flying career in the early 1990s. Living locally, I was fortunate to be able
to find some instructing and charter work with various organisations at Archerfield, Redcliffe and
Caloundra, culminating in my previous period at RAC which began in 1999. Since leaving the club in
2007 I have worked as a regional airline pilot, flying Saab and Dash 8 aeroplanes between big cities
and extremely remote places in the Australian Outback. Although this has been a richly rewarding
and exciting path to take, flight training has always remained very close to my heart. I have always
kept my instructor rating current and ready to use at any time. Even when operating in the regional
airline environment, I was fortunate enough to be able to work myself into airborne training roles.
As most of you are aware, with the new “Part 61” licensing changes, there are challenges presented
to flight training providers like us, as we adapt to the new systems of training and terminology.
Along with the changes, come some very big opportunities. We at RAC will be operating a flight
school of the highest category possible (“Part 142 Operator”). This will enable us (when fully
equipped) to offer training in every form of licensing, from recreational to multi-crew airline. I don’t
know of any other operator who can offer all of this, in a friendly club environment, at the most
pleasant and accessible flying location imaginable!

There is very good reason for club members and staff alike, to look to the future with excitement
and optimism. Please come and say hello to me when you are next around at the club. I look

forward to meeting you.
Warm regards,
Brendan Power.