Aviation dreams realised
By Daisy Baker
Flying an aeroplane is something Kyron Clark has wanted to do since he was a young child, and now the former Scottsdale boy is pursuing his dreams and studying aviation in Hobart.
He moved down south last year with his partner to begin his Commercial Pilots Licence training through Par Avion at the Cambridge aerodrome.
Over the 40-week course, trainee pilots do 153 hours of flying split between the Cessna 172 and Cessna 206, as well as five hours of simulator time.
“My interest in aviation started when I was eight years old but my exact pathway into the industry was always changing, as young pilots often do not have a full understanding of the career options available,” he said.
“My interest has changed from engineering, to becoming the next Top Gun pilot but eventually I realised I was best suited to flying in the commercial sector.”
Kyron said multitasking is the most challenging aspect of flying.
“Trying to juggle navigation and radio calls and of course keeping the plane in the air, all while an instructor is trying to tell me a story can be quite difficult,” he said.
“However, this is a skill which I have developed considerably since starting my training and continue to work on, and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day,” he said.
When they’re not flying, they are studying for one of eight exams covering core aspects of aviation required before qualifying as commercial pilots.
Kyron’s advice for anyone else looking to pursue the same career is to persevere even in the face of challenges.
“There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the requirements to be a pilot, such as the need for perfect eyesight or a huge amount of funding up front but these days there are ways to navigate around most of these roadblocks which make the industry much more accessible,” he said.
Kyron is grateful for the support and guidance of the friends, family, teachers and mentors from Flinders Island Aviation who have helped him pursue his goals.
Having grown up in Bridport and Scottsdale, he plans to return to the North-East later this year to be closer to friends and family.
In five years’ time Kyron hopes to be servicing a rural community by air, whilst doing further study to fulfil his long-term goal of flying for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.