Over the past ten years, Kestrel have seen the enormous benefits in taking students away from the familiar environment of Mangalore and Melbourne, and conducting week long 'fly-aways' to a station on the Murray River near Mildura.

Kestrel pilots and student pilots have become very well know to a number of stations on the river and have held camps at both Moorna Station and Ned's Corner Station which are both substantial cattle and sheep stations on the Murray. With up to 40 people participating in the camps the logistics became quite complicated and so in 2001, Kestrel purchased their own station of 29,000 acres, which is situated right between Moorna and Ned's Corner.

Lake Victoria Station owned by Kestrel Aviation will be the new destination for Flyaway candidates.  Lake Victoria Station, located on the southern side of Lake Victoria, on the Murray River is a 20,000 acre property which will provide students with improved facilities and new navigational challenges.

 

An aerial view of the Murray River

A helicopter is based at Lake Victoria for smaller groups who drive to the station, but larger groups are organised several times per year with helicopters and aeroplanes departing from Mangalore as a group. Flying to these locations and participating in the flight training from there can prove to be some of the most important navigation training in the student's course with flying over remote areas, landing on bush strips and fantastic opportunities for confined area landings. The favorite activities for the advanced students are the low flying exercises along the river, sling load competitions and mustering competitions.

While the students are worked hard, at the end of the day with the helicopters and aeroplanes secured, the sun setting over the Murray, and a warm campfire students are able to get to know fellow students and other pilots who regularly participate in the trips. Meals are cooked in the homestead and the shearer's quarters are used for sleeping. Non flying activities are also organised including target shooting, canoeing and fishing.

Students with an ambition to become mustering pilots are able to do mustering endorsements and gain valuable experience with cattle and sheep stations and how they are run. These students can then elect to go on and participate in the Trainee Mustering Pilot programme if they wish to continue in that field, and if they pass the selection criteria.

The climate is warmer and drier than Mangalore so if there are periods of bad weather at Mangalore, students are able to go to Lake Victoria in small groups with an instructor to continue their training without delays.

Kulnine Flyaway 2003

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