1. When you first thought flying these things for a living is for me - how old were you, what type of machine was it, how did it make you feel and why?
"my first flight was in an allouete i was only 5 and me and my folks were going on a trip from gladstone QLD to heron island. i got to sit up front with the pilot!!( my idol) i said what is that thing your holding in your left hand!! ( im only 5 so dont laugh!) he said this thing makes us lift off the ground, well that was it i wanted to be a pilot, man all those funny dials and buttons, heaps more than a tonka truck had, i said to mum and dad i want to fly this one day! ( yeah whatever son )
well i had a break from helicopters for another 14 years or so till i grew up and then started the fascination and addiction, training etc.
2. When you finally started to get some `runs on the board` was there a moment when you thought `I am so glad I stuck with this` -
" every time i hit the starter it sends a chill down your spine as if its too good to be true, the smell of jet a1 burning the spool up of the turbine its awesome, sure there are tough times in business, but its the best feeling in the world. my duties mean i do spend a bit more time now doing paperwork but thats just the job. to put it frankly the money is not the driving force if i wanted money i would have become a lawyer, god help me........i enjoy getting out of bed and going to work.weather its fire fighting or flying tourist around its still a great buzz for me and i hope i feel this way in 30 years.
cheers