Dubbo pilot Dan Compton has been fascinated with aviation since he was a young boy and now he aims to help other people interested in flying achieve their goals too.
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The flying instructor grew up in Narrabri and first got his Commercial Pilots Licence after finishing school early.
After five years out of school, Mr Compton completed his HSC and joined the RAAF before moving to Dubbo to fly with the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Ten years ago Mr Compton decided to register his aviation training company Wings Out West (WoW) to involve the local youth at Bourke in aviation.
“Plans always evolve and change and as things worked out we're still in Dubbo and I'm running WoW as a recreational flying school, still with a view to work towards the goal of using aviation as a form of motivation for our youth in need, especially out in small western communities,” he said.
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“I'm not particularly concerned about roping people into aviation, but think (when I have the time and money) young people may get a buzz out of it and be encouraged to take their maths and science more seriously (for example).
At WoW, Mr Compton covers recreational flying training from beginners to people wanting low level training, instructor ratings and other endorsements.
Mr Compton is the South Pacific dealer for American Legend Aircraft, a modern remake of the long serving Piper Cub, he explained.
Clients come from all over Australia as well as the USA and England.
Many of his clients also come from rural areas. Mr Compton said people from rural areas have more reason to fly than most.
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“They have many miles to travel, large properties to manage and seeing things from the air gives them a birds eye view which is worth so much more than an out of date aerial photo,” he said.
“Some rural people have been learning to fly lately just to escape the pressure of the drought.
“It's a small expense compared to their hay and we have a few laughs while they learn something completely away from their daily worries.
Mr Compton said training at WoW is an ongoing thing that starts with each student individually.
"So a course is the students own course and run as they require,” he said.
"Some like to work consistently and get it done and some just come and go as they get a chance.”
Taylor Jurd
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
Hi, my name is Taylor Jurd. I am a journalist with Australian Community Media, I write for the Western Magazine and Wellington Times.
