Australian Flying – MarchApril 2026 – Australian Flying (1)

A poorly maintained fleet can be a quiet indicator of a school’s financial stress. Poor maintenance is one of the things they can get away with for a while, until of course they can’t. Training aircraft take a lot of use and abuse. Students, not knowing any better, can be hard on machinery.

Interiors get beaten up. That’s normal. What isn’t normal is an aircraft that looks unloved. The aircraft doesn’t need to be polished like new, but it should look like the staff take pride in presenting it well. A good instructor will ensure the aircraft is clean and shipshape for you and for the students who follow.

Under the cowling, look for oil streaks, neglect and general wear. There’s no hiding a beat-up engine. Don’t be afraid to ask about it. A school scrimping on maintenance will try to avoid the conversation. If something feels off, expect higher standards, or go elsewhere. You do not want to discover over the ranges that the engine isn’t going to get you home. Sticking to the script In years past, the problem of schools ignoring the syllabus was more common than it is today. The authorities have lassoed many offenders and consigned them to the dustbin.

But you still hear of the occasional cowboy. Some school owners believe they know better than “those bastards in Canberra” about how to teach someone to fly. Sometimes instructors push students through faster by skipping chunks of the syllabus. Often it’s a tactic to keep a reluctant student spending money. “You’re doing so well.” I once heard a story of a Queensland man who, with his brand-new licence in hand, bought himself a shiny new steed.

He asked another instructor (not the one he trained with) to help him fly it home. The instructor was horrified at his lack of basic skill, and reported both the pilot and his instructor to the authorities. He later described the pilot to me as a “ticking bomb”. Don’t be that person. A good flying school will provide a syllabus up front.

Cover: Paul Southwick discovers why the Tiger Moth is a much- loved classic. CREDIT: RACWA Features 2025 Wings Awards: The Best of General Aviation Every year, the CASA Wings Awards shine a light on the people who quietly strengthen aviation from the inside out. Kreisha Ballantyne announces the 2025 winners. In the Slipstream of History A family story, an aviation icon, and a 45-minute coastal flight that ties Christchurch 1943 to Perth today.

Paul Southwick discovers why the Tiger Moth is a much-loved classic. Zen and the Art of Aeroplane Maintenance Steve Hitchen explores the RAAus Level 1 Maintainer course and finds out what it means to repair and service your own aeroplane. Regulars Editorial 06 News 08 Rotors 50 Fly ins 52 Lessons from a Logbook 60 Reports from the Regions 64 Safety Matters 66 For the Love of Flying 67 Fit to Fly 68 Up to Speed 70 What Can We Learn 72 Short Final 74 Feels Like the Real Thing From a twin-engine failure in a mountain valley to practising emergencies at home, Brian Bigg explores how simulators can sharpen skills, build confidence and save money, and why it will never replace real flying.

Built for the Job If a helo operator was looking for an incredibly versatile, highly capable light twin-engine utility helicopter to add to its fleet, then it’s probably safe to say the Bell 429 would hit the bullseye. Benn Marks takes a closer look. australianflying.com.au MARCH-APRIL 2026 $9.50 (INCL GST) PRINT POST APPROVED 100005339 9 770004 912005 02 IN THE SLIPSTREAM OF HISTORY Flying the classic Tiger Moth JIM DAVIS Wires and their Consequences PACKING A SUPER PUNCH We fly the NZ Aero SuperPac CASA WINGS AWARDS: WINNERS ANNOUNCED Contents 4 australianflying.com.au AUSTRALIAN FLYING March – April 2026 5 Signs your Flying School is the Right Fit Choosing a flying school can shape your confidence, your wallet and your safety.

From dodgy payment demands to poor scheduling and sketchy maintenance, Brian Bigg looks at five red flags to watch for, and five signs you’ve found a good one. 36 Packing a Super Punch NZAero toured the new SuperPac SETP around Australia last October, and found time to introduce their powerful utility to Steve Hitchen. Training that Doesn’t Cut Corners Behind an unassuming hangar at Jandakot, Revesco is building pilots the hard way: structured briefs, disciplined procedures and a culture that treats every flight as preparation for the unexpected.

Paul Southwick takes a tour.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

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