Gary Williams - Aviation History
In 1972 Gary Williams took his first flight in a 172 Cessna at Renmark aerodrome in South Australia. From that very moment, he was hooked. The fact that the hourly rate to learn was $15 per hour and his income was $15 per week did not deter him, not initially anyway. He struggled through 6 hours over a year until common sense prevailed and he put learning to fly on hold until he could improve his income.
Gary completed 5 years service in the Australian Regular Army during the 70’s, all the while eyeing off the Huey choppers while on Army exercises.
After his discharge, he resumed his passion of learning to fly with a stay at the Gawler Gliding club in 1980. His first solo was New Years Day, 1981. He completed his aerobatic and cross country rating soon after. After only 2 cross country flights, Gary completed his silver C gold C and diamond distance ratings.
Gary’s attraction to powered flight came back when two seat ultra lighting began in 1983. The Australian Ultra Light Federation was newly established and aircraft were certified, offering a lot more confidence in the machines.
Gary took a few flights in a Tiger Moth to gain some powered experience and then purchased his first two seat ultra light with some business partners in 1984. After 200 hours Gary went to the then Dept of Civil Aviation (DCA) to set up a flying school to train people how to approach Ultra lighting. He wrote a training syllabus and published the Australian Ultra Light Training Manual which he sold throughout Australia as the ultra light movement gathered momentum.
He was granted a Chief Flying Instructor rating and later an Examiner of Airmen Rating to endorse instructors. Five years and 1,509 flying hours in ultra lights went by. It was his return to Parafield Aerodrome and G.A flying that saw him obtain his PPL in 1988.
Gary’s mortgage company (est. 1989) was flourishing, so Gary bought his first GA aircraft, an RV6. During the 90’s, Gary “Flew it’s head off”. He couldn’t get enough of it. He obtained his aerobatic, instrument rating and formation flying endorsement and explored Australia with his wife. Another 1,000 plus hours during the 90’s saw Gary looking for other challenges.
Gary saw the possibility of owning a Robinson R44 Helicopter as something that was achievable and possibly exciting. It was within financial reach, had 4 seats, offered air conditioning as an option, and it was new.
After the first flight he was hooked again. This time seduced by the allure of the magic carpet experience. The whole flying experience had changed again. Lower, slower and a view that just can’t be beaten.
Gary ordered his first helicopter, found a private instructor to help deliver it to Parafield, and began training, almost every day. Within a couple of months he had his PPL (h). Within one year he had flown from Adelaide, up the east coast to the tip of Australia, and back down to Adelaide. He went to Ayers Rock and Alice springs just to name a few, and clocked up over 300 hours in command before 12 months were up.
His wife loves the chopper as it is a means by which the whole family can enjoy exploring Australia together. Now in his early fifties, Gary is enjoying semi-retirement and looking forward to another two goals being achieved.
Gary’s first goal is to promote the possibility of helicopter ownership to others and “flying every inch of Australia”.
The second goal is to establish an entity that will bring synergy to chopper owners through a charity event. He also plans to create a future annual air show in a yet to be determined location, whereby the public can attend and participate. They can take a dawn flight in a chopper and visit an air show. They can then be treated to fine dining under the stars at a Dinner Ball.
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