Nina Burkardt began learning to fly about 18 months ago at the age of 15 years and will this July compete at the Queensland Aerobatic State Titles at Watts Bridge.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the Year 12 Noosa District State High School student who gained her aerobatic licence only a few weeks ago.
Though with a father who’s an aviation mechanic and a childhood spent around helicopters it wasn’t a surprise when Nina wanted to learn to fly. But it’s fixed wing aircraft that Nina prefers.
Her flying instructors urged Nina to progress to aerobatics.
“They said we think you’ll be really good at it. So I gave it a crack,” she said.
“The first lesson I got a bit frightened. Sometimes I get a few butterflies. It’s pretty fun.
“I took my dad up last week but he was a bit sick.”
Nina has a long list of stunts she can perform and is looking forward to the competition which will involve flying a set routine within a 1km box area. The winners are determined by accumulated points.
It’s no surprise that Nina’s career ambition is to be a pilot. She hopes in the future to fly private jets.
– Margaret Maccoll
