NOTICE: UPDATE 2023
April 2023
Symbols and sponsored projects
An English explanation
August 2022
Examples of aviation jobs that exist today...
June/July 2022
April 2022
learn
If you love something you can achieve iteven in difficult times...
Aviation Visit (Malpensa Aviation Collection/adjacent to Malpensa Airport (VOLANDIA) May 2022
Finally - after years of lockdowns/restrictions and thanks to my dear friends, we were able to access this interesting if comparatively limited collection of some of the finest aircraft and engineering technology this country produced as well as other brands. I also had the chance to step into a Dakota DC 3 which was an exact replica of the one I first flew in 1970 in South Africa. This too was ex US Army, later RAF (Royal Air Force) which made its way to South Africa for civilian use in the 50s and 70's. Its amazing to think that this plane was probably a brother to the one that I flew in before it crashed a short while later. So I am very grateful to the volunteers who as ex pilots were able to give us access to the cockpit and good historical info about the plane. It was like stepping back in time..jpg)
I also remind students that aviation is not just about pilots and air crews. Its also about technology. Its about services that connect to this sector to support it: whether it is food, maintenance, quality control, ground staff, controllers (ATC), Fire Services, medical services, designers, mechanics, software and hardware technicians and engineers...for smart, practical people who want to make a difference there is only the problem of choice.
Many people are asking me about the future of aviation and careers. Personally I do not believe that aviation/technology is at future risk and that this economic slowdown is only a temporary phase. In fact the top three key future fields will remain: technology (all sectors), food sciences and medicine. This is also in line with Thailand's vision of key skills needed. The more advanced the skill, (with English as a MUST), the higher the opportunity. Technology will continue to grow phenomenally throughout the years to come.
Aviation Visit (Malpensa Aviation Collection/adjacent
to Malpensa Airport (VOLANDIA) May 2022
Finally - after years of lockdowns/restrictions and thanks to my dear friends, we were able to access this interesting if comparatively limited collection of some of the finest aircraft and engineering technology this country produced as well as other brands. I also had the chance to step into a Dakota DC 3 which was an exact replica of the one I first flew in 1970 in South Africa. This too was ex US Army, later RAF (Royal Air Force) which made its way to South Africa for civilian use in the 50s and 70's. Its amazing to think that this plane was probably a brother to the one that I flew in before it crashed a short while later. So I am very grateful to the volunteers who as ex pilots were able to give us access to the cockpit and good historical info about the plane. It was like stepping back in time.
.jpg)
I also remind students that aviation is not just about pilots and air crews. Its also about technology. Its about services that connect to this sector to support it: whether it is food, maintenance, quality control, ground staff, controllers (ATC), Fire Services, medical services, designers, mechanics, software and hardware technicians and engineers...for smart, practical people who want to make a difference there is only the problem of choice.
Click: Excellent landing
VIDEOS: insight into amazing technology CLICK below:
NOTE IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THIS LEVEL OF ENGLISH YOU ARE READY FOR EFW/UNIVERSITY LEVEL (International Standard)
Excellent video by
Eric Burlingame
ZS DKR - Zulu Sierra Delta Kilo Romeo
CLICK LINK: Special Projects
For Flight experiences-training scroll below
This weekend we headed out to a part of rural Thailand (Ban Rai). A group of about 300 volunteers headed off to support two schools. I was lucky to meet some very bright students, several of whom were awarded dictionaries, small gifts and only one a scholarship award. Why? Because they were a handful of students who were not afraid to try and speak and practice English. I love these kinds of students. What is the connection with Aviation? Simple: if you make no effort to practice and learn English, there are very few opportunities to work in this field. Freedom to choose your life depends on how much effort you put in.
Student Gheb, the only middle school
student from the area to come and
practice casual conversation during
two days of activities. In addition to
a bilingual dictionary he was awarded
a scholarship award.
Well done for trying!
December 2019 Flight Education Activities
Credit: NASA's AIM spacecraft.
passion Capt. Peddy!
CLICK THIS LINK: Flight Training
CLICK THIS LINK: Take off
CLICK THIS LINK: Landing
This is just to show the necessary and critical steps that need to be followed by all pilots each and every time before and after flight.
Many details to check, loads of switches, displays
and electronics. Miss one and it could be goodbye
to the world. Aviation staff work hard for their
money.
Earlier this week I returned to the Flight Simulator (Bangkok) where I did further training (my third) for 90 minutes on starting up the engines of the Boeing 737-800: taxing, flying, landing at Hwa Hin and shutting everything (engines) down. Of course with a lot of good instruction from my Chief Flying Instructor, Capt. Peddy. Every time I step in a flying role I learn new things: such as the importance of being accurate, thorough, mindful, relaxed whilst being very busy. Flying is not for those students that like to sit around and chat on their smart phones. In fact no job in aviation is for people who just want to take short cuts in life. There are people's lives at stake, whether you are a pilot, a technician, mechanic or an engineer. I also stress the importance of being good at Maths, Physics, Science, Chemistry and Computer skills....and the crown to top it off, is English. Without good English, its better to find another work opportunity. Aviation is not for you, but there are many other positions that can suit your skills set.
This could be a very major problem in the very near future affecting many Thai students.
November 2019 Flight Education Activities
Thai Flying Club
See below for importance of being diligent
and mindful!
CLICK LINK: Experiencing the reality of FLIGHT
(brief interview)
My thanks to Capt. Thomas for being so helpful and
a very professional mentor
Another wonderful flying experience...for learning
as well as for fun!
And big thanks to Chris the cameraman!
These past few weeks have been quite busy. I have caught up with some special Dhamma and friends friends in Sukothai, visited briefly Utai Thani, (another rural province) and went through two sets of new flying experiences that will be updated shortly....but one event I was drawn to as I prepared to train again in a Boeing simulator at Gateway Ekamai, was a karate competition that saw hundreds of young kids participating. The evcnt was held by the Zendokai Karate Club and I was invited to look in.
Why do I mention this? Because as someone who has practiced Judo in my earlier years in South Africa as well a having done a brief stint in Karate, these traditional martial arts teach the same skills required for successful careers in advanced technology and of course in aviation. What are they?
In addition to the obvious physical benefits both disciplines demand they are:
1) mental alertness
2) discipline
3) practice and effort
4) self control
5) commitment
6) using the laws of physics
7) stamina
8) aptitude
9) determination
Boys and girls getting ready for bouts...
Discipline, practice and focus are key to developing!
Boys and girls learn discipline!
Effort and commitment!
The earlier you begin the better!
Thank goodness that many young people are learning
This is not for lazy people!
discipline and concentration outside of the
schooling system. Its what will make them ready for life!
My Chief Flying Instructor
would agree with my views!
Highest skills are needed for safety and success!
30 October 2019 Bangkok Boeing 737 - 800
My thanks to the CFI (Chief Flying Instructor) Captain Peddy for the great experience and for his guidance through this wonderful piece of flying technology.
Introduction to flight simulator
Flight Simulator Bangkok
Flight briefing!
The planned flight included touch
and go as well as landing at a
challenging airport!
Real 737-800 flight simulator!
Not so easy and you need to be sharp
since there are many components to
safe flight!
CLICK: Italian Helicopter flight
ITALIAN FLIGHT EXPERIENCE
October 2019
This too requires a very high level of skill and concentration: I am
happy to share this experience for all those interested in flight which I would like to stress is not only about flying but involves many disciplines and skills: technical and other professionals.
Once again the qualities required for important jobs in aviation are focus,
problem-solving ability, perseverance and critical thinking.Necessary subjects for important jobs both on the ground as well as in the air are; Maths, Physics and English. Computer skills or electronics/electrical know-how are also highly useful.
This particular aircraft is also used to transport goods to remote locations as well as for fire fighting.
Everything looks so much better from the top!
Our Airbus high-performance helicopter together
Cockpit view!
Impossible to talk without headphones...
Ready to film my first vertical take-off!
It's quite a change!
Airborne!
Side view...
Lakeshore view...Maggiore LAKE!
Better than google earth and more personal!
Hanger and HQ
I am very cold!!!!
Nice hot coffee!
Aviation themed office...
A very appropriate toilet!
Office made from helicopter parts!
I like it!
with Chicco - we are both first-time helicopter fliers!
Our versatile and skilled pilot Captain Massimo!
One of the many small islands on the lake!
Great photography!
We were lucky to have a clear day
Beautiful aircraft!
Preparation for the next flight!
I just love it!
Thank you!
Flying can teach us many things: how to fully focus on our task, how to think and plan logically, how mechanics and flight combine, maths, science and physics. Once we actually fly together with a professional pilot such as our Captain Thomas we can not only apply all the aforementioned: but we can have great fun!
The Cessna 172 is one of the longest-serving planes around and one of the most used aircraft in the GA world.
My first experience of flight for fun was in my teens in South Africa: the first was a Piper Cherokee
(ZS-EIX) a model also present at the Thai Flying Club (see below), a Dakota DC-3, and a Cessna 172 exactly like the one we flew then. I was lucky to have many friends who loved flying and joined them on many flying trips on various kinds of aircraft. These may be old models but they are tough as nails.
CLICK WIKI LINK: Cessna
CLICK: http://www.thaiflyingclub.com/ and
CLICK LINK to view flight: Royal Thai Flying Club experience 1/9-2019
At the Royal Thai Flying Club
With very able Capt. Thomas
External checks...
Checks are very important
prior to every flight!
Last flew in one of these in 1982 ca
in Rustenberg, South Africa
A small cockpit that keeps
you very busy!
Take off by Capt. Thomas
View of Pattaya beach
Guess what?
Unique view
Out to sea!
Better than driving!
Quite busy below!
Beats watching TV!
Arial view of Pattaya area
Flying back!
Over to you my Captain!
Tricky landing!
But finally back to base!
Thai aviation needs you!
You can feel the beauty of flight, not like
today's big jets!
Pilots, aircrew, mechanics, technicians, electricians,
engineers, there are many opportunities for young
people with good English today in all aviation
sectors...
My first ever flight as a 16-year-old:
Piper Cherokee 140 - Germiston
Flying Club (South Africa)
Piper Cherokee 140 - Germiston
Flying Club (South Africa)
Greatest feeling! Like sailing, you get to
appreciate and respect the forces of nature!