Teens take to the skies to raise funds for farmers

They might not even have their driver’s licence yet, but teams of students will fly planes non-stop for 17 hours across Australia this weekend. But don’t worry, it’s perfectly safe ...

Aviation High The Great Race 2018 participant Georgie Gane, using the Flightsim

They might not even have their driver’s licence yet, but teams of students will fly planes non-stop for 17 hours across Australia this weekend. But don’t worry, it’s all in the name of charity — and it’s happening inside a computer simulation.

Aviation High aerospace teacher Mark Heinrich said the school would hold a drought relief fundraiser that would see teams of students “race”, via Flightsim consoles, a Cessna 172 from Brisbane to Perth.

Aviation High, Hendra, flight simulators. The school will hold a drought fundraiser flight simulator marathon.

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“It is an idea to raise funds for farmers by putting what the students learn into practice,” Mr Heinrich said. “We hope that this will become an annual event and perhaps involve other aero schools across Australia and even internationally.”

He said it would be a test of endurance.

“The flying is not too bad; but the most important thing is to stay on course, which the teams have worked hard to plan — not running out of fuel, and not falling asleep.”

Mr Heinrich said the students had been planning, meeting and fundraising over the past few weeks hoping to raise $1500 to go towards 15 large bales of hay for the drought-stricken farmers, through Rural Aid’s Buy A Bale initiative.

For the flight, students will be in groups of about eight to ten people.

“The flight should take somewhere between 17-20 hours with a least three stops for fuel along the way,” Mr Heinrich said. “Students have had to fully plan their route, roster their team and organise the budding pilots from across the year groups.”

He said the trip was planned to take off at 4pm Friday (October 19), and students will need to take it in turns flying through the night. The staff are on hand to supervise and check that no team becomes too lost.

“We have specific rules that will come into play in case of crashes, poor navigation, and other unexpected events. The overall winner is judged on the amount of money the team raises + order over the line + fewest penalties. A perpetual trophy and other prizes including GoFly training vouches will be awarded for the winners. We have very enthusiastic young pilots from across the grades 7-12 that will gain worthwhile experience in flying for several hours at a time.”

Student Georgie Gane is one of the team members flying in the air race.

“It will be a challenge but we are training hard to make this event a success and raise money for the farmers,” she says.

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Aviation High School is an independent public high school at Clayfield, which “provides direct pathways for students seeking careers in the aviation and aerospace industries”.

Aviation High is an independent public high school at Clayfield “and the premier aviation focused high school in Australia with not only excellent academic results across all year levels but also caters for those students interested in the Aviation Industry”.

Students have opportunities to study

Recreational Pilot’s Licence

Certificate II in Aircraft Line Maintenance MEA20515

Certificate III in Aviation (Ground Operations and Service) AVI30416

Cabin Crew Training

Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Line of Sight) Remote piloting of UAVs

in association with various service providers. As well as valuable work experience and traineeships with Aviation Industry partners including; Qantas, Virgin and Brisbane Airport Corporation.

Students Matthew Saengrat and Grace Alberti from Brisbane's Aviation High practice flying on simulators. Photo: Glenn Hunt / The Australian

Aviation High is part of the Queensland Government’s Aerospace Gateway to Industry Schools project which was established to support the growth and development of an effective workforce for the aviation industry sector. This program provides opportunities for young people to undertake structured workplace learning, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships, full-time employment and further study through industry-school partnerships and has proven essential in meeting the Queensland Government’s aim of transitioning young people from school to work while completing school and gaining formal qualifications.

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