12 year old interested in aviation
 

Hi All,

A query from a neighbour ...

What prep can a 12 yo with a fascination for aviation and a hunger to "be a pilot" do such that a time, more conducive to maintaining progress and the parents' wallet, they can then start on the usual path of lesson, hour building etc etc.

They live in Melbourne's Outer East, I did look at the AAL website (there's a squadron based out at YLIL) but don't have enough knowledge to recommend or not. Theory changes over the years, but I'm guessing BAC etc is still fairly constant, so could start his reading if he wants to progress theory.

Suggestions??

Regards,

BD

The Australian Airforce Cadets is also an option. There are one or two members on here that may be able to offer advice.

Regards.

I would think that joining the Air Cadets would be a start Cadets - Australian Air Force Cadets you need to be twelve and a half. There is the chance of going all the way http://www.aafc.org.au/what-we-do/powered-flying/

I see I got in too late. just call me slow

Cadets is a great idea and helps with alignment for what it might be like to join the RAAF later on. You learn so much about it and will soon realise if it's going to be for you or not and will have a great head start on those that weren't a cadet.

Me too! Join the AAFC. Not only breeding air mindedness but also easy on parental funds compared to either AAL or the Scouts.

Aviation museums, airshows, history books and BAK theory texts are all good starts.

At 12 I'm guessing he likes computer games. I know Flight Simulator kept my interest up during high school, taught me a thing or two and allowed me to meet and talk with some real pilots who I still hit up today for advice. Just make sure he realises that at the end of the day it's just a game. You don't rock up to the Army thinking you know it all from Call of Duty and you don't rock up to a flying school as a Flight Sim expert!

:ok:

+1 for the AAFC
At least that is if you guys mean this boy will use their gliding program.
Because every youngster wanting to be a pilot should, I mean MUST, start gliding!! You'll have fun while you really understand flying, and glider pilots are the best airline/airforce pilots, no doubt!
(I believe you have to be 14 to fly solo)

Gliding Australia for soaring and sailplane pilots

Join the nearest gliding club and learn to fly gliders. It will make you a better pilot.

Another vote for gliding, even though I only have a grand total of twenty minutes in a glider. There is no better way for young ones to learn the art of flying. Cheaper than most other options too! :ok:

In the AAFC, standards differ wildly between squadronss- true for all the nation but particularly for Victoria. Find out the two closest SQNs and the names of their COs then send me a PM with their details and I'll tap into my Victorian contacts to tell you which one would be more suitable.

Cadets again
 

Just to add my own experience and reinforce what others have said here, get along to the local cadet Squadron and start there. I did the Air Cadets in Canada as a teen, 12-19 years of age, and I still have friends from those days, going on 30 years later. It is a fantastic organization, especially so for a youngster interested in flying. I eventually did my glider license and PPL on a scholarship, which of course is a huge first step for anyone, financially and for getting that experience. I'm not sure if that is available in Aussie, but nevertheless, the chance to be around aviation, involved in one facet or another, is great motivation and an excellent way to learn the industry, and at the very least, make a group of good friends.

I can't recommend it highly enough. :ok:

Nosey

Thanks for all the responses so far
 

Looks like the early consensus is AAFC !!

Thanks for the offer, Keg, will see what I can find.

Regards,

BD

Air Cadets, Gliding and Flight Sim. All very good options.
Go to an air show or two every few years.
Do an intro flight every now and then as well to get some more hands on experience.

Also couldn't hurt to look at getting a medical done at some point around 14-15. No point getting all excited about flying and setting your career towards something only to find its not possible do to a medical reason.
(I know thats awfully pessimistic but will stop a lot of cash being wasted on training)

Get him a part time job, stacking shelves, cleaning cars, mowing lawns etc, it'll help the little fella learns some work ethic. Get him playing social sport, it teaches teamwork and social skills. Finally, get him volunteering, it teaches humility and selflessness. The rest will come in due time.

All of the above I've found lacking in a lot of the city originated pilots of the Australian aviation industry.

AAC could be great but the regimented style may put him off or give him a warped perspective of aviation.

Best of luck to the little guy.

How old do you have to be to learn to fly in Oz?

What about a Trial Into Flight ?

Do you need a ASIC to do a trial intro flight at a flight school ?

One thing I always emphasise to parents of youngsters keen on flying is that to be able to have the best career choices later in life they have to concentrate on SCHOOL now...maths, physics, English! This advice is usually met with a teenage screwed up face and enthusiastic parental nod.

Hopefully Part 61 will actually come in next year and they will be able to solo at 15. Some 15 year olds are more mature than others in their 30s :ugh:

Meanwhile cadets sounds like a good idea. :)

I'm very much with cynical as far as youth groups goes....to a point.

Both the AAFC and AAL are of a higher disclipinary standard than most kids are used to.

The biggest benefit an individual can get out of either of these organisations is self dicipline, i.e task setting, achieving goals and working as a team.

Some will claim the same of scouts, but experience has shown me that this is a somewhat dubious claim.


I served 20 years in the AAL, 11 as an officer, so I have some idea on whats on offer.

A cadet unit, is merely a tool to fuel the fire of desire.

At 12 this could be a fad....
Its a balance of feeding the interest and watching to see if it continues or the kid moves on.
Being part of a cadet unit will fuel the interest for sure.

You are in melbournes outer east. Yarra Valley Flight Training accomodate younger students to keep the interest alive until they can begin full on flight training, and often have a student awaiting their birthday for the first solo flight.

Good Luck
Jas

:D

Based on my own experience, nothing focused my mind on math more than the realization that it was necessary for flying and had a practical application in life, which is something a lot of kids don't appreciate at that age. Algebra and trigonometry became subjects of interest rather than something to be endured. To that end, assuming the kid is fairly bright, there's nothing wrong with studying meteorology, geography and aerodynamics as well as the standard bookwork for PPL, instrument rating and CPL. There was a financial benefit from all that self-study, too -- allowed me to skip ground school and simply take the exam. I don't know whether that's an option down there, but it's still worthwhile.

Flight sim software is a mixed bag; great for learning navigation and the basics of controlling an airplane, but not the real thing by any stretch. Still, though, on balance, I wish it were around in my day.

What age can a kid do a TIF Trial Introductory Flight these days ?

Do they need an ASIC ?