Flight and Ground School

 

Past Students Careers

 

Here's what some of our students have done since gaining their CPL(H).

 

Peter Sinden

Peter gained his CPL(H) with Heliwest in September 2009 and then headed for the tropics where he found employment with a local Cairns and Port based operator. Here Peter flew Scenic flights, air tours, the odd photo job and dive boat transfers. His time in Cairns has given him a strong start in the Helicopter industry. After further flight training in New Zealand where he gained his sling/long line endorsement and got signed off for mountain flying he returned to Heliwest where he is now working as a line pilot in Katherine. Previous to joining the aviation industry Peter had worked extensively in remote locations about the world in the adventure travel industry as a mountain guide and in operations positions.

 

 

Andrew Humphries

Andrew comes to the Heliwest team following 12 years of service with the Royal Australian Air Force as a Pilot and instructor. He has approximately 3500 military flying hours on a range of aircraft types from the Pilatus PC-9/A advanced trainer to the C-130J Hercules. During his time in the RAAF Andrew has deployed to various overseas operations including Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor. He was also a Qualified Flying Instructor on the PC-9/A and C-130J Hercules.

Andrew completed his helicopter training with Heliwest in late 2009 whilst on long service leave with the RAAF. He then went on to join Heliwest flying various operations across the country including charter and scenic work. Today whilst continuing line pilot operations, Andrew is completing a Flight Instructor Rating at the Jandakot Flight School. Andrew looks forward to becoming an EMS captain with Heliwest in the future and is endorsed on the R22, R44 and B206B/L.

 

Julian Ecclestone

After achieving his CPL (H) in July 2008, Julian took over the position of BaseManager at Heliwest Kalgoorlie. He performed scenic flights around the Superpit and Kalgoorlie/Boulder area in addition to various charter works throughout the Goldfields region. Julian was then endorsed on the B206/L and AS350 and moved into our fly in fly out operations in the Pilbara. After completing a BO 105LS endorsement and Co-Pilot instrument rating Julian started flying as Co-Pilot on our EMS equipped BO105LS operating VFR and IFR in the Pilbara. Today while operating as part of the Medivac Crew as his main role, Julian also assists in various operations across the country for Heliwest. He is the most captivating and prominent of all the Heliwest Co-Pilots (apparently...)

 

Cameron Jackson

Cameron became a commercial helicopter pilot in December 2008. Heliwest have provided him with many opportunities to fly in the various festivals and field days around the state. He also played a significant role in providing the people of Bunbury incredibly popular scenic flights throughout the 2009 Australia Day long weekend. Cameron was then endorsed on the AS350 and has flown in Broken Hill, Gove and Newman. Since that time, Cameron trained as a co-pilot on the BO 105LS EMS helicopter and achieved his Co-Pilots Instrument Rating.

 

Daniel Greening

Daniel completed his training in May 2009. Heliwest offered him employment and he became the Base Manager for Kalgoorlie. He conducted scenic flights around the Superpit, Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields region. Daniel was then endorsed on the B206/L, before moving into our fly in fly out operations from the Pilbara. After completing a BO 105LS endorsement and Co-Pilot instrument rating Daniel started flying as Co-Pilot on our EMS equipped BO105LS operating VFR and IFR in the Pilbara. Today while operating as part of the Medivac Crew as his main role, Daniel also assists in various operations across the country for Heliwest. He is the second? most captivating and prominent of all the Heliwest Co-Pilots

 

Dave Pusey

Dave gained his CPL(H) in May 2008. He has been used by Heliwest on many occasions to work on festivals and field days around the state in addition to ferrying aircraft from place to place around the country. Dave was then endorsed on the B206/L including an across Australia Ferry. Since then, Dave has been trained on the AS350 and works in Perth on Charter/Scenic's and instructing in the ground school.

 

 

Paul Debenham

After many years of flying fixed wing aircraft, Paul decided to move into the rotary world. He took his first lesson in April 2004 and passed his commercial helicopter flight test in January 2006. He now has over 1150 hours total rotary time including over 770 hours turbine. He is now endorsed in R22, R44, B47, B206, S300 and AS350. Paul is currently the longest serving Heliwest trained line pilot and the best looking (or so he likes to think!)

 

James Hall

James gained his CPL(H) in October 2008 and started his flying career doing various events around the state for Heliwest. He then moved to Albany to start up the new Heliwest operation down there. After gaining experience in all avenues of commercial operations, James completed his instructor rating with Heliwest and has since been tasked with running the Heliwest flight school operation in Toowoomba QLD.

 

 

Jacynta Fong

Jacynta earned her CPL(H) in June 2008. She decided to go to the east coast to find employment and within a very short time she found a job. She works in Cairns/Port Douglas flying for Skysafari. It’s a full time position performing scenics, air tours and dive boat transfers.

 

 

 

 

Andrew Backhouse

After achieving his CPL(H) in May 2008, Andy joined the Perth Head Office as Flight School Administrator. He also flies on the events around the state and various charter jobs that arise in addition to ferrying aircraft across the country.

 

 

 

Jon Smith

Jon became a commercial helicopter pilot in March 2009. Heliwest offered Jon employment, where he completed Flight School Administrator duties in addition to various flying jobs. Since that time, he has been trained as a co-pilot on the BO 105LS EMS helicopter and has achieved his Co-Pilots Instrument Rating.

 

 

 

 

Tim Hand

Tim started his aviation career as a Fixed Wing Pilot and Flight Instructor. While completing his Bachelor of Science in Aviation he started working for Heliwest as an Aircrewman. After a couple of years of 'balancing' working for Heliwest with working as a Fixed Wing Instructor, Tim decided it was time to cross to the 'Dark Side' and completed his CPL(H). He now works full time for Heliwest in a variety of roles – He is the Chief Ground Instructor, Manager of International Special Projects, a Helicopter Line Pilot and Fixed Wing Line Pilot.

 

Chad Tippins

Chad gained his commercial helicopter license in September 2009. After a short time performing ground crew duties and flying at various festivals and field days around the state, he took over as pilot of Heliwest's Albany operation. Chad then travelled to Albany where he conducted scenic flights for people visiting the area who want to enjoy the scenery from the best possible vantage point. You will now find Chad assisting at our Jandakot based Flight School.

 

James Bogdanov

James became a commercial helicopter pilot in August 2007. During this time, he has worked for Heliwest in various events around the state. He has also ferried Heliwest aircraft across the country.

 

 

 

 

 

Phil Treasure

Phil completed his licence in November 2007. Heliwest employed him to start an operation in the South West of WA. After this seasonal work concluded and after working for Heliwest on various other projects, he started scenic flight operations around the Karijini National Park. After working for Smoothy Helicopters in the Pilbara, he moved over to NSW to work for Sky High Helicopters conducting tourism and general charter operations.