The NSW Gliding instructor course run at Narromine between 17-21 November 2025 was a test of energy, endurance and logistics, where perhaps the latter was the most challenging.
I had responded to some strong pushes from keen, dynamic women pilots in two clubs. As a result, when all bids were in, we had 13 attendees for the course, including one L2 upgrade candidate from another state!
However, I made two fundamental errors. First, responding to the high demand meant that my operational budget was put under very severe strain, and second, I initially failed to predict the commensurate increase in the number of instructor training flights we would need to cover all attendees.
I was very fortunate that, under the strong leadership of NSW Gliding President Duncan Tchakalian and the rest of the committee, I obtained agreement for the budget-straining course to proceed. In the event, we did not spend as much as anticipated, thanks to great accommodation management by Beryl Hartley, and the course candidates made good progress.
Long, Hot Days
Three trainees came from Bathurst SC, three from Southern Cross GC, two from Lake Keepit SC, and one each from Canberra GC, Central Coast GC, Darling Downs GC, Narromine GC and Temora GC. We also had a strong team of Level 3 instructors, namely former Chair of the Operations Panel Pat Barfield, Michael Vince who had graduated as a Level 3 in October 2024, Jenny Ganderton who was completing her own Level 3 training as a member of the staff on this course, and myself.
Day 1 was subject to inclement weather, so we elected to have a marathon day in the excellent auditorium of the Narromine Aviation Museum. This activity took the form of a course module in which each candidate gives a presentation of up to 10 minutes on a subject assigned to them several days earlier. The staff instructors were super impressed at the universally high standard of subject presentations delivered.
The course days that followed were all hot and dry, with sometimes significant crosswind conditions. We had the use of Narromine GC’s Cessna 180 – Arnie’s personal aircraft flown by Czech pilot, Jan – and Hunter Valley GC’s Eurofox, enthusiastically flown by Mick Webster. Hoffie (Pete Hoffman) also gave us fine service with his own Pawnee.
Trainees and staff instructors alike operated over long and quite hot days while, as usual, staff instructors worked late into the night on assessments and marking.
Exhausted – but Successful
At the end of the course, everyone was exhausted. I did not fly again until after two full rest days prior to the Narromine Cup. More importantly, every trainee graduated with an instructor rating.
Course results were as follows: One new Level 3 (Jenny Ganderton), two Level 2 upgrades, three new AEIs – – and seven new Level 1 instructors. One of the AEIs has since upgraded through post-course training as a Level 1.
My grateful thanks go to the committee of NSW Gliding, my fellow staff instructors and the course tow-pilots. I also owe thanks to the clubs and Paul Tridgell for providing gliders, and to Arnie and Beryl Hartley who once again gave us magnificent support.
David McIlroy, RMO NSW
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