The Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School

[Dave Homewood]

Today I had the absolute pleasure to visit the annual Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School at Waharoa, near Matamata, and to record the latest Wings Over New Zealand Show, Episode 172, there.

The Walsh is a unique flying school that happens for two weeks every January, and for that two weeks the country airfield becomes the busiest airport for movements in the Southern Hemisphere. The flying instructors return from all over New Zealand and the world to volunteer their time and pass on their expertise to 16-20 year olds, teaching them how to fly.

I spoke with organisers, instructors and students alike, and the enthusiasm for flying and love of the overall experience that this pop-up flying school camp gives to all involved really beams through in all of them.

Here's the link:
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2018/01/the-walsh/


Left: AVM John Hamilton, the Flying School’s Director, and right, Steve Scott, the Chief Flying Instructor


Janelle Rouse and Tessa Mowbray, flying instructors


Students Jakob Merson, Rachel Mackie, Ella Williams, Dylan Johnson and Jack Boyd

[ZacYates]

That was fantastic, Dave. All my life I've only ever seen photos and small articles about The Walsh but I never knew what it was all about, but this podcast was a great intro to the camp and was a great listen. It was fantastic to hear from the students as well as the veterans, and to hear their enthusiasm. Anyone with doubts about there being any young people getting into aviation in NZ should listen to this episode.

And yes I'm a little jealous of each one!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Zac. Yes I know what you mean, I think we've all heard about The Walsh and knew it was an annual flying school camp but other than those who've been involved themselves as students and/or staff, we've have probably never really been fully cognisant of what it was all about and what dedication and enthusiasm is involved. Having now got a much deeper picture of things I think it is a truly magnificent venture - it's amazing how instructors come from all over the world to give up two weeks unpaid to pass on their knowledge and kills to young people. And it's fantastic that it is so well supported by the sponsors and the aero clubs and individuals who loan their aircraft to make it happen.It's seriously cool, and amazing in this day and age with all the costs and regulations and business of lifestyles that it still all comes together. Those young students I met really are the future of aviation, and I feel really pleased about that. They were really great ambassadors for the school I thought.

[ZacYates]

Jan 22, 2018 21:48:09 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

amazing in this day and age with all the (...) regulations

When they mentioned there were three "lanes" for aircraft operation I was stunned. What an operation! The more I listened, the more I wanted to be a fly-on-the-wall watching everything happen. Amazing.

Again, thank you for getting this out so quickly and for making it such a comprehensive show.

Also the Wellington Nanchang is a pretty cool initiative, I think it's been going for two/three years...and the aircraft is registered Mike Alpha Oscar

[starr]

My younger daughter Robyn attended the School for two years as a Ranger Guide. The first year I went to Waharoa and picked her up in the Fletcher. She carried on her training at Rodney Aero Club until she left school and started working. Her comment was that now that she had left school she could not afford to fly. Unfortunately she never took it up again. She really enjoyed her sojourns at Walsh Memorial. Another of her visits when she was a Ranger was to NASA. She witnessed a launching of a Shuttle.

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, that is cool Dave.