School holidays again! Four boys who live in the road adjacent to Yarrawonga Aerodrome are busy in Hangar 19, learning how to move and work around aircraft safely. But these boys are different. Cade (11), Aaron (12), Tyson (9) and Darcy (13) have shown a genuine interest in our aircraft for several months, so Nav-ex Squadron Flight Training School has set up a system where local kids can be trained methodically to become ground marshals.
These boys have already thoroughly learned marshalling hand signals and can competently marshal $200,000 to $300,000 aircraft into safe parking areas. It is not beyond them to reposition aircraft within a hangar, with no fear of "hangar rash", using a tow hitch manually, or on a quad bike. At first the boys presumed that pilots would ignore them because of their age and size.
One day, Cade, wearing a safety vest and his lanyard, did a really good job, giving precise and accurate hand signals to the pilot of a visiting aircraft taxiing to our pilot shop. He became frustrated, because the pilot was looking at him, but not following his directions. The pilot was doing his own thing, until the aircraft was parked on our hard stand. As the pilot climbed out he said to Cade, "I'm sorry mate, I'm sure you are giving me good directions, but I haven't a clue what the hand signals mean!" I wonder if he flew home and looked up the hand signals, to add them to his own flight knowledge...
The boys are now learning how to safely and responsibly clean aircraft inside and out, not only using correct cleaners for each part of the aircraft, but also how to check over the aircraft for little things that might need attention. Next they will learn, sit for the Official exam, then hold a CASA Flight Radio endorsement. They are allowed and encouraged to learn Air Legislation alongside our student pilots of all ages. They are genuine "TRAINEE MARSHALS". Not only knowledgeable, we have never had any behaviour from the boys but interest, friendliness, honesty and respect from these young people, who may possibly become the future of aviation in Australia. It is a pleasure to work with them.
Peter and Anne have issued each boy with a lanyard giving them authority to work air-side. If you visit Yarrawonga Aerodrome and see the boys marshalling you into a parking position, or escorting adults out to photograph friends and relatives taking a trial instructional flight, be assured that they know their job well. Say "Hello" to them. They are great kids to be around!
At the time of writing these young boy had passed there Air legislation and Flight Radio exams and all of the boys now have 3 hours of duel flight time and do all the radio call on the ground and in flight.
The Trainee Marshal opportunity is open for any interested young people throughout the Yarrawonga region.
