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Airservices supports women’s flight scholarships

Fri, 24 May 2013 15:22:00 +1000

This release contains: 1 Photo, 1 Related Document

The dream of a career in aviation is closer for four women thanks to financial support from Airservices Australia, the national air traffic services provider.

The four pilots have won flight training scholarships offered in conjunction with the Australian Women Pilots’ Association (AWPA). The winners were announced at the AWPA Annual General Meeting in Hervey Bay, Queensland, on Saturday 11 May.

Each winner receives $6,000 to subsidise the cost of obtaining a private or commercial pilot’s licence. An additional $2,000 is awarded to the women as bonus payments on achieving milestones.

Airservices Executive General Manager, Unni Menon, said the scholarships were designed to support the sustainability of the general aviation community and to promote careers in aviation.

“We are pleased to support AWPA and its goals for women pilots in the future of Australia aviation. Airservices congratulates all the winners, and encourages them to pursue their commercial pilot’s license,” Mr Menon said.

“Since 2010, three scholarship winners have accepted flying positions in the industry after successfully achieving a commercial pilot license, which demonstrates how valuable these scholarships are in assisting these women, pursue their flying dreams.”

Recipients of the 2013 AWPA and Airservices Flight Training Scholarships are:

• Tiffany Chapman, Frankston, Vic. Flight training at the Peninsula Aero Club and active in Australian Air Force Cadets.
• Caelia Collins, Sydney, NSW. Flight training at Curtis Aviation, Camden, Check and Training Flight Attendant, Regional Express (Rex).
• Melinda Eddy, St Kilda East, Vic. Flight training at Moorabbin Flying Services, Moorabbin.
• Rachel George, Gwelup, WA. Flight training at the Royal Aero Club of Western Australia, Jandakot.

Airservices also sponsors two Private Pilots’ License (PPL) Charts and Documents Awards ($550 including GST) of the geographically relevant charts and documents required by a student pilot for the navigation phase of their PPL training. The winners are: Shannae Terrill, High Wycombe, WA and Jodee Roberts, West Launceston, Tas.

This year’s recipients of the flight training scholarships were chosen from a field of applicants who had demonstrated an interest in flying and were supported by their flying instructors. Applicants must be a member of AWPA, at least 18 years of age and have commenced flight training.

A photograph of the winners is available for download at http://newsroom.airservicesaustralia.com (registration required). Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account @AirservicesNews

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com

Airservices supports women's flying dreams through flight scholarships

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:01:00 +1000

Airservices supports women's flying dreams through flight scholarships

Independent review finds Airservices still ‘on track’ with staffing

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:01:00 +1000

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An independent review of air traffic controller (ATC) numbers at Airservices by internationally recognised air navigation services provider, NAV CANADA, has validated that the organisation has the appropriate number of operational air traffic controllers to meet its requirements.

The review was commissioned in early 2013 to address the issue of perceived staff shortages.

Airservices Executive General Manager Air Traffic Control, Jason Harfield, said that independent reviews were regularly undertaken to not only review the number of controllers, but to look at how future ATC staff requirements were planned

“The review followed a similar review by Ernst and Young in 2009 which found that we were appropriately staffed,” Mr Harfield said.

“Key findings in the NAV CANADA review were that Airservices Australia have the appropriate number of controllers to meet regulatory requirements as well as being able to meet requirements for staff development, organisational training, and so on.”

The review also found that the way in which Airservices plans future ATC staff requirements is robust.

Airservices currently employs about 1000 air traffic controllers who work from 28 airport control towers, two main en route centres and four terminal control units.

They are responsible for controlling 11 per cent of the world’s airspace and more than four million flights annually.

Airservices air traffic controllers undergo 18 months of practical and simulated training, followed by field training, at the organisation’s dedicated Learning Academy in Melbourne.

Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account @AirservicesNews

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com

Next generation of aviation fire fighters enter service

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:36:00 +1000

This release contains: 4 Photos, 1 Related Document

Airservices welcomed 24 new aviation rescue fire fighters into service on Friday 17 May at a graduation ceremony held at the Airservices Learning Academy at Melbourne Airport.

The graduating recruits join more than 750 fire fighters at the nation’s busiest airports as part of Airservices Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) service.

Airservices Executive General Manager ARFF, Michelle Bennetts, said the new recruits will work at stations in Adelaide, Alice Springs, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Mackay, Perth, Rockhampton, Sydney and Townsville.

“Airservices has one of the largest, most highly trained, professional aviation rescue and fire-fighting services in the world,” Ms Bennetts said.

“Our fire fighters have the expertise to provide Australian airports and airline passengers with first-rate rescue and fire fighting services.”

The recruits completed a physically and mentally demanding 11-week training course at Airservices Learning Academy in Melbourne. Theoretical and practical training undertaken included fighting simulated aircraft and structural fires, aviation rescue techniques and dealing with the hazards of highly flammable aviation fuels.

Airservices General Manager Learning Academy, Linda Spurr, congratulated the graduates on successfully completing the demanding training course.

“These recruits are the first to train at our new state-of-the-art fire training ground and have demonstrated its functionality and their own skills and abilities,” Ms Spurr said.

“Over the last four years we have trained and developed more than 180 new fire fighters and are now realising the significant benefits we expected of the `true to life’ hot fire training facility in Melbourne, which we opened in mid April.”

The 24 graduating recruits come from a diverse range of backgrounds and include three women and two Indigenous Australians.

Images of the graduation are available for download at http://newsroom.airservicesaustralia.com (registration required).

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com

Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account: @AirservicesNews.

Airservices graduates 24 new aviation fire fighters

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:13:00 +1000

Airservices graduates 24 new aviation fire fighters

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:11:00 +1000

Airservices graduates 24 new aviation fire fighters

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:09:00 +1000

Airservices graduates 24 new aviation fire fighters

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:07:00 +1000

Airservices graduates 24 new aviation fire fighters

Airservices to speak in the US on air traffic control standards

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:15:00 +1000

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Airservices Executive General Manager Air Traffic Control, Jason Harfield has been invited to speak at the Committee of the United States National Academy of Sciences as part of a study on air traffic controller staffing.

The academy has been commissioned by the United States Congress to make recommendations regarding staffing standards for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) air traffic controllers.

Mr Harfield will speak at the July meeting of the committee and discuss Australia’s approach to air traffic controller staffing, workforce planning and training.

Airservices Chief Executive Officer, Margaret Staib, said that the organisation was honoured to participate in the study.

“Along with representatives from other international air navigation service providers (ANSP), Airservices will be used by the committee as part of an international benchmarking exercise,” Ms Staib said.

“This invitation is recognition of our international standing on air traffic control operations.”

Mr Harfield has more than 25 years experience in air traffic control operations and is currently Airservices Executive General Manager Air Traffic Control.

His current role is to manage operational activities associated with the provision of effective and efficient air traffic control within Australia including air traffic services, air traffic management policy and planning, aeronautical information and data services.

From 1 July 2013, Mr Harfield will take up a new role within Airservices as Executive General Manager Future Service Delivery.

This will see him oversee the delivery of Airservices next generation services and air traffic management platform with the Department of Defence.

Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account @AirservicesNews

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com

Airservices among world’s best – CANSO benchmarking study

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:10:00 +1000

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Airservices has been ranked among the world’s best as part of an international safety benchmarking study undertaken by the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO).

The study placed Airservices in second place for air navigation service providers (ANSP) in relation to the maturity of the organisation’s Safety Management System, with a score of over 90 per cent effectiveness.

The study is part of CANSO’s safety program and compares the processes and performance metric of international air navigation services providers (ANSP) safety management systems.

It benchmarks individual ANSP’s performance against a range of metrics such as loss of separation (IFR), runway incursion statistics and Safety Management System (SMS) maturity.

Airservices CEO Margaret Staib said that Airservices performed consistently well in relation to loss of separation metrics, coming in with one of the lowest loss of separation rates globally for IFR flights per million flight hours and per 100,000 movements.

“Safety is our priority and we are pleased that the results of this benchmarking study reflect this commitment,” Ms Staib said.

“However, while we are among the world’s best, we should not be complacent about safety and we continue to focus our efforts on further enhancing our safety performance.”

Airservices Safety Management System is an integral component of the organisation’s culture, and documents policies, practises, procedures, software systems, reports and training requirements.

Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account @AirservicesNews

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com

Airservices seeking aviation fire fighters

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:48:00 +1000

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Airservices is offering an opportunity for men and women to join its national elite Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) service in Brisbane, Mackay, Broome, Perth and Darwin.

Airservices Executive General Manager ARFF, Michelle Bennetts said that the service responds to a diverse range of incidents ranging from medical emergencies, to aircraft and airport building fires.

”Anyone with the required level of fitness and a commitment to ongoing skills development and training can pursue a career as an aviation fire fighter, no matter what their background.

“It’s a challenging and demanding career, but one with big opportunities and the chance to work at our fire stations around Australia.

“Recently we opened our state-of-the-art Hot Fire Training Ground in Melbourne which will consolidate our ARFF training and will also equip our fire fighters with the competencies required to deal with large, complex airframes such as the A380,” Ms Bennetts said.

Airservices operates one of the most highly trained, professional aviation fire and rescue services in the world.

Aviation fire fighters operate the largest fire fighting vehicles in Australia – ultra-large high visibility Rosenbauer Mk8 fire vehicles which can discharge almost 9,000 litres of water within two minutes of arrival at an emergency.

Successful applicants undertake a rigorous 11-week recruit course in Melbourne, receiving a nationally recognised qualification, through the Airservices Learning Academy. On completion of their initial training, graduates are awarded a Certificate II in Public Safety Fire Fighting and Emergency Operations. They will then join more than 740 fire fighters based at 21 of Australia’s airports.

“On average, Airservices aviation fire fighters respond to over 7,000 emergency calls each year at Australia’s busiest regional, domestic and international airports. More than 20 lives have been saved by aviation fire fighters over the past two years.”

Airservices is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to apply.

To apply, visit www.airservicesaustralia.com. Applications close 12 May 2013.

Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account @AirservicesNews

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com

Aviation fire rescue training hots up in Melbourne

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:45:00 +1000

This release contains: 2 Photos, 1 Related Document

Airservices will be conducting, for the first time today, aviation rescue and fire fighting training at its new hot fire training ground at Melbourne Airport.

The Learning Academy Hot Fire Training Ground (LAHFTG) is the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and will see recruits train on the centrepiece of the new training ground, a full-sized mock-up aircraft fuselage replicating sections from the Airbus A380 and Boeing 767.

Airservices spokesperson Rob Walker said the new facility has in place stringent environmental control systems in order to minimise the impact of the training activity on the surrounding environment and reduce the amount of smoke.

“Melbourne Airport users and the public should not be concerned if they do see smoke during the training.

“Our fire fighters are there to protect the public in the unlikely event things go wrong at major airports. They respond to a host of different incidents every day ranging from medical emergencies to fire alarms and aircraft emergencies,” Mr Walker said.

The training will involve 24 trainee fire fighters being put through a series of scenarios to hone their skills in the specialist field of aviation fire fighting and rescue procedures.

This training will allow Airservices to deliver practical components of a nationally recognised and accredited qualification and ensure our fire fighters are able to deal with the latest and most complex airframes.

Airservices provides ARFF services at 21 of Australia’s busiest airports and is one of the world’s largest providers of aviation rescue and fire fighting services with more than 740 operational and support personnel.

On average, Airservices fire fighters are called out around 150 times a week across Australia’s regional, domestic and international airports.

Training exercises will take place between 8:30am and 4pm most days within the fire training ground located on Operations Road at Tullamarine.

For media inquiries contact Airservices Media on (02) 6257 2828 or by emailing media@airservicesaustralia.com Get the latest news and updates via our Twitter account

Airservices Hot Fire Training Ground