Julie Borschmann
Lauriston Girls’ School in Melbourne, Australia, launched its Aviation Programme in February 1999. One of the aims of the programme is to familiarise students with the world of aviation through ground theory and flight instruction.
The school based ground theory is examinable as part of the curriculum in Years 10, 11 and 12.
In 1999, the inaugural class of
twenty-five Year 10 students studied, amongst other things, aerodynamics,
propulsion, radar, air traffic control and meteorology.
Additionally,
the students participated in a variety of interesting excursions. Highlights
included visits to the Qantas Maintenance Base, the Air Traffic Control Centre
and Control Tower at Tullamarine Airport, the department of Aerospace
Engineering at RMIT University and a flight around Port Phillip Bay in Julie
Borschmann’s Cessna 182S. Qantas Boeing 767 First Officer Clare Irving and
Captain Sandy Hawkins spoke to the class about their interesting careers as
professional pilots with one of the world’s great airlines. They provided the
girls with valuable insights into the numerous opportunities available in
aviation.
In February 2000, six Year 11 students enrolled in formal flight training with General Flying Services at Moorabbin Airport, flying new Cessna 172R’s. After ten lessons of dual instruction, they took to the skies on their own to complete a first ‘solo’ circuit, watched by proud and exciting parents. Their achievements to date have been most rewarding with all girls demonstrating a keen commitment to their theoretical and practical training. They now face some twenty-five hours of training in advanced flight manoeuvres, after which they will be tested for the restricted General Flying Progress Test. The girls are all looking forward to taking their parents on a scenic flight sometime in December!
As part of the Year 12 curriculum, all six students intend to complete their Private Pilot Licence by June 2001. Two students wish to pursue careers as professional pilots and hopefully this initiative of the School will assist them in achieving their goals.
The programme, which will be fully developed by 2001, will involve some forty-five students in Years 10, 11 and 12 with a target of ten new Private Pilots per year.
