Aviation - Community Activities

Students and staff from the course are involved in many community service projects. These range from the now popular beach patrols to school displays and joy-flights.

Following the tragic shark attack off Cottesloe in November 2000 ECU pilots provide a shark patrol service in cooperation with the WA Government, Water Police and Surf Life Saving Associations. The patrols lasted for 6 hours each day covering the coastline between Two Rocks and Secret Harbour, including Rottnest Island.

Pilots from the course are also involved in Flight Experience days for school students. These are very important as they introduce children to flying in a fun and interesting way. A major part of this work has involved taking up to 14 aircraft to country towns to introduce students to the science of flight. On these occasions, primary school students are given a basic understanding of aircraft and their operations and their value to the community. A large number of children are also taken on flights around the local area.

ECU aviation students are now conducting airfield surveys on behalf of the Royal Flying Doctor Service.  ECU students complete a short course in airfield surveying and then fly to remote airfields around the state.  The airfields are inspected to ensure their suitability for the larger aircraft of the RFDS.