By Hollie Harris
NOOSA District State High School students had a taste of life in the air this week with a visit from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Aviation Candidate Management Centre officers, with this unique opportunity a part of the school’s Aerospace Gateway Program.
Senior aerospace students, and junior students interested in aviation, undertook the Air Force Simulator Experience which contained two F/A-18 Super Hornet simulators and two controller stations, allowing them to be a fighter pilot, joint battlefield airspace controller or an air battle manager.
The students tried on life support equipment, including helmets and g-suits and interacted with air traffic control activities on tablets.
The aim of the visit was to engage the students interested in an aviation career by providing them with real pilots, air control officers and JBACs to interact with.
The RAAF officers were impressed with the students’ level of knowledge and the number of female students keen to pursue careers in aviation, with aviation traditionally a male dominated profession.
Female students were encouraged to continue exploring their passion for aviation, as female air traffic controllers are sought after due to their ability to multi-task and no tunnel vision, which is statistically more common in males.
“It’s helped me realise that I most definitely want to be a pilot,” said Charlie Young.
The female students enjoyed engaging with a female fighter pilot, who was able to share some of her experiences and expertise through personal anecdotes and GoPro footage taken from inside the cockpit.
The experience helped some of the students solidify subject choices and potential career pathways.
“I’m most definitely picking aerospace as a subject in senior school,“ Deanne Jackson said.
