Charlotte Varcoe
AFTER always wanting to be a pilot since first landing in Australia at the age of 11, Mount Gambier/Berrin’s Colin Weatherill has flown across the nation, detailing some of the incredible views he has observed.
Mr Weatherill arrived from the United Kingdom and detailed his wish to become a pilot ever since.
“I did have ideas of joining the Airforce when I was in school and wanted to become a commercial pilot too but could not afford the training,” Mr Weatherill said.
Instead he became a pilot for his own personal airplane which he has taken to Darwin, Margaret River, Hobart, Sydney and more.
“I began my training here with my basic pilot licence with an instructor who was largely based in an airport but used to teach a number of training pilots,” he said.
“This got me to basic level and I bought my first aircraft which I then started using for clinics in Kingston once a month.
“I bought my first aircraft from Todd Kelly who bought it and rarely used it and when you first get your licence you can only fly in clear skies so I increased my experience.”
Keeping his first aircraft for about five years, Mr Weatherill soon moved up in the licences before purchasing his current aircraft.
“I love the convenience of flying because you get a view of the world that other people don’t get,” he said.
“We have flown into Melbourne many times and it is a privileged view we get because we typically fly right over the central business district of Melbourne and right over the Melbourne Cricket Grounds too.
“We get some awesome views that most people would not get, even if they flew in commercially over the city.”
Other views Mr Weatherill said were at the top of his list included flying over the Hamilton Islands, while flying over the coral sea and having a couple of islands line up with the extended runway a hit.
“It is just a brilliant view as you come in,” he said.
“So is flying into Uluru’s airport during twilight time.”
Mr Weatherill was not the only pilot in his family either, with his son now working as a commercial pilot for REX Airlines.
His son received his recreational pilot licence at the age of 15, meaning his son could fill an airplane up with fuel and fly but was unable to fill a car with fuel.
Mr Weatherill also remained part of the Mount Gambier Aero Club which he said he has enjoyed as secretary and as a previous president.
“There are like-minded people with an interest in aviation, particularly private aviation and flying the smaller planes,” he said.
“We enjoy the freedoms and we often fly together.
“We will pick a destination and fly along together but we also have dinners together and try to engage the rest of the family too.”
As for the future, Mr Weatherill said he was looking at closing his private medical practice in 2025 and using his aircraft for personal reasons while also working as a locum.