The Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Australian Flying are pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 general aviation Wings Awards.
The Col Pay Award for a Lifetime of Service to General Aviation - Ron Newman
Ron has been in the aviation industry for over 60 years, he started as an aircraft engine apprentice with TAA in 1955. From 1965 to 1968, Ron was the Base Engineer for Ansett at Proserpine, QLD, maintaining the Sikorsky S-61. He gained his CPL(H) in 1969, his CPL(A) in 1979, his Class 1 multi-engine Instrument rating (A) in 1979, his Class 1 multi-engine Instrument rating (H) in 1981. He now has over 18,000 flight hours, consisting of single and twin engine helicopters and aeroplanes. Ron joined the Victoria Police in 1976 to set up their helicopter section of the Police Air Wing, where he conducted instrument and rescue training. In 1983 Ron went out on his own to form Professional Helicopter Services, which is still in operation to day.
In 2003 Ron set up an online theory training website (www.OnlineAviationTheory.com), which now has nearly 1300 subscribers.
Flying Training Organisation of the Year - Lilydale Flying School
Lilydale Flying School operates from Lilydale Airport in Victoria's pristine Yarra Valley. As part of Yarra Valley Aviation owned by the Merridew family, LFS takes an active interest in the careers of all their students and makes sure the fun and social aspects of flying are emphasised.They run regular navigation challenges for both students and PPLs, visits to ATC both centres and towers, hold regular free seminars and make the instructors available to students for extensive pre- and post-flight briefings. Importantly, the school has a nurturing atmosphere that continues on after the student passes their licence test, and many PPLs, CPLs and aircraft owners still frequent the operations room on weekends, if for no other reason than to talk flying.
The school teaches both general aviation and recreational, an in 2015 alone, issued over 100 certificates and licences.
Flying Instructor of the Year - Gary Smyth (Moorabbin Flying Services)
Gary Smyth has been a flight instructor since the 1960s, mostly at Moorabbin airport. After nearly 50 years in aviation, Gary is still as dedicated to flight training as ever. Throughout his career he has been part of many students’ aviation journey. He has trained many commercial pilots who now are captains with various domestic and international airlines. His work in the development of the PMI (principle methods of instruction) component of the Flight instructor training syllabus in the 1990s is still used today. As a Chief pilot and testing officer for CASA he looked upon for guidance in every aspect of flight training. Students,pilots, flight instructors, CASA and other stakeholders have the utmost respect for Gary’s strong foundation of knowledge and insights in pilot training.
Aero Club of the Year - Peninsula Aero Club (Tyabb)
PAC has taken out this award for the second year in a row. The club operates a successful flying school offering both RAA and GA instruction from ab-initio to instructor rating with emphasis on encouraging youth, and has sponsored the local chapter of Air Cadets, promotes the school Students Flight Training Program, offers encouragement to young people who have shown dedication, ability and drive, to further their flight training by providing part-time employment opportunities.
It actively encourages flight competitions within the membership and at inter-club levels. PAC and Mornington Peninsula Airport are constantly ready to serve agencies such as the Police Air Wing, Air Ambulance, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the DSE/CFA water-bombing aircraft, AUSSAR, the Port of Hastings and Australian Defence Force aircraft.
The Australian Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Australian Flying congratulates these worthy winners and extends to them appreciation for their dedication to general aviation in Australia.