DARRIN SMITH - AUSTRALIA

When did you leave Beckers? CPL-H flight test 3rd Sept 04

What did you do after you trained with us? Initially went back to my former career as a diesel mechanic to replenish the bank account. Began the job hunt in earnest around Feb 05. Found myself in Cairns for a Roby Safety Course. Did a lot of door knocking around there and made a couple of contacts. One contact panned out to a start as a back up pilot for Skysafari in Cairns. That was early April 05.

What are you doing now? Typing this update….. in between studying for chief pilot approval.

If flying, who, where and what are you flying? Now flying for Skysafari in Katherine N.T. We have the contract at Katherine gorge. Two R44’s, three pilots. Predominately tourism, but with a sufficient variety of other work to keep from flipping out. Some of the entries into the log book so far are….. incendiary dropping, fire plot surveys (requires numerous confined area bush landings), dingo baiting, aerial culling, fire spotting, croc surveys, medivac’s, filming and photography.

Mike was in the neighborhood recently so I took the opportunity to finally get my sling endorsement. Now I think we should buy a bucket……

How many hours have you flown? 849.7 ( you know it’s not enough when you still include the decimal hours )

Do you still keep in touch with other students from Beckers? I try to….. long hours.

Best or worst flying experience after Beckers? Have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to fly over some of the best real-estate in the country. Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rain Forest, Flinders Range’s, the Gulf country, Arnhem Land and Kakadu….. and lot of places in between. (oh, and of course… the Sunshine Coast). But prolly the most memorable was just after landing my first job, when I got to pick up a brand new second hand R44 Clipper from Airlie Beach and fly it to Cairns….. my very first task as a commercial pilot. And it just happened to be my birthday. Magic!

Advice to new students? Be prepared for some long days and understand there’s a lot more to aviation than just the flying. At this end of the career there are many and varied tasks you will be expected to do……. and smile doing them. ( emptying chemical toilets …… mmmhh, my favorite )

Best of luck, and…….. don’t give up……. Ever!