Bundaberg Gliding Club and CQU Aviation Society joined forces last weekend to help more local careers in flying take-off.
Students from Year 6 to university were given the chance to take up one of 34 flights at the Bundaberg Gliding Club.
Bundaberg Gliding Club vice-president Natan’El Schuster said the inaugural event was quite an achievement after planning only started three months ago.
Natan’El said they had always hoped to involve the local university with the Bundaberg Gliding Club, and it was about three months ago when things finally got off the ground after a student from CQU student came out to fly.
“I had an idea in my head to engage with CQU to help promote local flying and aviation,” she said.
“I took the students aside and discussed my hopes with him and we ended up setting up a meeting with a constitution and we got approval, they showed they were really keen, and I was excited to help provide a path for people for something they are passionate about.
“We (Bundaberg Gliding Club) had a partnership with CQU Aviation Society and it all worked out really well – everyone was so enthusiastic about it.
Aviation partnership spreads its wings
Natan’El now hopes the Bundaberg Gliding Club and CQU Aviation Society partnership will encourage more people to consider either a career in flying or share their love for the sport.
“The CQUni Aviation Society and Bundaberg Gliding Club are passionate about engaging youth in the community in a fun and meaningful way and hope to integrate and build ties with the aviation sector in Bundaberg and it's surrounds,” she said.
“I really want to put it out there that gliding is an affordable way to fly, and a fulfilling sport overall.
“The gliding hours count toward flight time, so it is an affordable way to gain a powered pilots licence.
“I started gliding four years ago, it was an outlet for me, and I have made some incredible friends.”
Natan’El said the Bundaberg Gliding Club and CQU Aviation Society weekend had incredible support from several gliding clubs, including Darling Downs Gliding Club and Boona Gliding Club, which both had members attend the two-day event.
“We've received incredible support from several gliding clubs, with four instructors joining us from three different gliding clubs across Queensland,” she said.
“And local support from Guzman Y Gomez Bundaberg, who are providing free catering for lunches both days.”
After the initial event went well Natan’El and the gliding club are now hoping to inspire more people to learn to fly with the partnership with CQU.
For more information about gliding or the next event email: info@gliding.inbundy.com.au.
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