Georgie Arnold: why I love being a pilot
Helicopter charter pilot Georgie Arnold shares her passion for helping others find their flight path.
Townsville
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Aviation is in Georgie Arnold’s blood.
For most, aviation, flying and travel is an escape but for Georgie, 21, it’s something she can’t escape.
“I wouldn’t want it any other way. With both my dad and brother being helicopter pilots/flight instructors I was introduced to the ins and outs of the aviation industry from a very young age,” Georgie tells NQ Weekend. “40 years ago my dad joined the industry, aviation is in my blood, it’s the flight path I was raised on.
“In fact, bird was my very first word, I was born to fly. My mum carried me in her tummy through the air and I was sky high before I could crawl.”
Georgie’s father Dick Arnold created Townsville Helicopters, the first and very only helicopter flight training school in Townsville, when Georgie was a young girl, so she was raised in an airport hangar with pilots as her role models.
Since then, the family business has grown, now including four other sister brands: Townsville Flight Training, Cairns Flight Training, ZephAir Australia and last but not least Aviatrix Australia.
“Although I grew up in and around the industry I always knew I would gain my helicopter licence ‘one day’ however, I never would’ve thought during school that it would be my full time career,” Georgie explains.
“I went to school for fun, to see my friends and always just chose the subjects that I liked doing. I kept my options open but at the end of Year 12 I still had no idea what I wanted to do.”
After a year of working after her graduating from high school, Georgie started her flight training.
“I wanted to gain the knowledge from my father while he was still working and heavily involved with the business and thought to myself, if I don’t do it now, I never will.
“It wasn’t until I started my training and looked around the theory classroom and noticed I was the only female, or someone who identified female at birth that I realised perhaps there is an issue within the industry that I hadn’t been exposed to before.”
Aviatrix Australia, meaning female pilot, was created in the Arnold’s family-owned and operated hanger after research at the time showed that women only made up 7 per cent of pilots across the globe.
Aviatrix Australia educates, encourages and promotes the study of aviation for women in Australia. Working in partnership with Townsville Helicopters, Townsville Flight Training, and ZephAir Australia, the business runs and attends events, school talks, career expos and shares stories of female pilots via their social media, advocating for women in aviation.
“We are here to encourage, educate, and support more women into the aviation industry,” Georgie says.
“I happily took on the role of managing Aviatrix just over three years ago. I have been on cloud 9 everyday since, highlighting the different career pathways and showing others, that girl you got this.
“For me, on that particular day in theory class, I knew it was my mission to highlight to anyone interested in the aviation industry, the enormous amounts of career pathways available and educate people on the importance of aviation in Australia.”
Georgie says she was “very grateful” to be chosen as a 2022 ABC Heywire Trailblazer.
The Trailblazers program is an opportunity for people aged between 18 and 28 who are driving positive social change projects in their regional communities.
Georgie presented her pitch on the importance of aviation in Australia and the gender stereotype issues within the industry in Parliament House earlier this year.
“Speaking in parliament wasn’t the highlight, it was being trusted to stand up for women in aviation and overcome my absolute worst fear of public speaking,” Georgie reveals.
“Working on yourself and upskilling is such a powerful feeling and I can’t thank the ABC team enough for believing in me to speak on behalf of Women in Aviation.
It has definitely been a major highlight in my career.”
Georgie is eager to inspire people to consider a career in aviation.
“For anyone seeking a career in the aviation industry, my biggest piece of advice would be to just take the first step,” George says.
“Your journey through life should be thrilling, fulfilling and uplifting. If at anytime you’re not having fun – reconsider! If you want to do something, do it. As your flight instructors say to you during hand over when doing flight training “you have control”.
“I like to use that outside the cockpit and remind people that you have control of creating their own story.”
Georgie also had some gold nuggets of advice for those still in school or have just graduated.
“Stay open-minded and keep trying new things until you find a career that makes your heart sing,” she says.
“Actually, I would like to aim that statement at anyone, at any stage of their life.”
And for those who are passionate about becoming a pilot, George is quick to explain that the pathway is a lot less daunting than most seem to think.
“There’s no ATAR score, subject prerequisites required, which for me – a school student who simply only went to school for fun was excellent to hear.”
Georgie explains that a career in aviation is more accessible then it ever has been before.
“The industry has grown so much that we are seeing more and more of a demand for staff,” she says.
“Everything you need to know to fly as safely and as smoothly as possible will be taught to you at flight school.
“You can study your helicopter licence through Townsville Helicopters or if you wish to take on your top gun dreams and start your fixed wing (aeroplane) licence then you can train with Townsville Flight Training.”
Georgie’s love for aviation is clear and she admits one of the aspects she enjoys is that no day is ever the same.
“Working in the aviation industry opens up a world of opportunities.
“For many passengers, a helicopter flight is a once in a lifetime experience. I love watching their emotions unfold during flight as they are exposed to a new perspective.
“As a marketing manager in the aviation industry it brings me so much joy being able to follow along the journey of so many aspiring pilots, especially for those who have been dreaming of doing it for years, have been contemplating it then watching them finally take the first step. “
Originally published as Georgie Arnold: why I love being a pilot
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