The next generation of RFDS Pilots

For Dan Waller, RAMP has provided an opportunity to continue developing his skills, pursue his goal of becoming an RFDS aeromedical pilot and build a life with his young family in Charleville.

I had a bit of a late start. I left school and spent about nine or ten years working as a carpenter, completing my apprenticeship and then working on my own.

In late 2018, I decided I wanted to pursue flying full-time. I stopped working as a carpenter, completed my aviation subjects at Bob Tait in Redcliffe and then moved to South Australia, where I spent about three years building my hours.

From there, I had the opportunity to move on to a Cessna Caravan and spent a year flying out of Birdsville before moving to Sea Air Pacific, operating out of the Gold Coast and Hervey Bay. I spent three years there before joining the RFDS.

So, that’s been my path through aviation. It takes a long time to build your hours and it’s a real grind. You’ve got to have the love of aviation to keep going, and I certainly do. That’s why I’m still here today.

How did you come to join RAMP?

My path into the RFDS was a little bit different. I didn’t initially apply for the RAMP program.

When I first joined, I was going to be working out of Brisbane, doing engineering and charter transfer flights for maintenance aircraft.

Then I went to the simulator at the Bundaberg Aviation Training Academy and was offered an aeromedical role. I went out to Charleville and started my training. I got right through to the final stage but unfortunately wasn’t successful in the night check.

The RFDS then offered me a position in RAMP because they could see that I didn’t quite have the hours and night experience needed for the aeromedical role, but RAMP would help me get there.

I’ve been in the program for about 12 months now and I’m really, really enjoying it. It’s been great to get out and fly, get used to the aeroplane and grow as a pilot.

To be honest, it (RAMP) really did give me an opportunity that I might not otherwise have had. If I wasn’t able to pass as an aeromedical pilot, there wasn’t going to be a position available for me. So, RAMP actually saved my career, in a sense. It allowed me to stay with the RFDS, become comfortable within the industry and progress as a pilot.

I think the best way to describe it is that it was a bit of a silver lining in disguise. It’s really helped me out. If the program wasn’t available, quite possibly I would have ended up on a different path.

How has RAMP helped you develop as a pilot?

The training and mentoring RAMP provides has been the number one thing for me. We still complete simulator checks, route proficiency checks and night checks, but the focus is on developing as a pilot and working towards that really high standard that RFDS has.

We don’t want to go into training feeling like our job is on the line. I want to go in there to learn and come out of it being the best pilot I can be.

The mentoring has been amazing. There have been some really good mentors, but Brisbane pilot Mark Davies has probably been the number one mentor for me. He’s always been willing to put his hand up and help me. Recently, I was in Brisbane and he volunteered to do some additional training with me to help me progress and succeed.

What has been your most memorable or rewarding experience with the RFDS?

There have been a couple of occasions where we’ve gone out to clinics and there have been people who needed help, but one of my most memorable experiences was flying the Unbreakable Farmer, Warren, out to remote communities to talk about mental health.

One stop was the Birdsville Hotel and I was handing out bags after his presentation. I asked a gentleman if he wanted one and he said, “No, I don’t need one. Give it to somebody that needs it. I’ve been to hell and back.”

I felt sorry for him, but I just let him be and went and sat down.

The next day, Warren and I were having coffee when that same gentleman came up to us and started telling us his story about mental health.

To see Warren’s work actually make a difference to someone was incredible. He was able to talk about different support pathways and even put the man in touch with someone at his home base.

I don’t think Warren himself would necessarily go back and tell people, “This is the kind of feedback I received.” You have to be there and witness it to really understand the impact.

That’s probably the most memorable thing for me. It also made me realise that Warren wouldn’t have been able to get out to those communities without the RFDS and the support that makes those flights possible.

What would you like the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation to know about the difference their support has made?

The support has made a huge difference. The mentoring has been the number one thing for me.

The aviation industry involves a lot of checking and training, and the RFDS has created an environment where pilots can get comfortable, learn, succeed and achieve what they want to do.

For me personally, RAMP has given me the opportunity to keep progressing towards becoming an aeromedical pilot, and I’m really grateful for that.

I’d like to thank the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation for supporting the program and helping provide opportunities for pilots like me to continue developing their skills and pursuing a career in aeromedical aviation with the RFDS.

Dan Waller’s story is one example of how the RFDS Aircrew Mentoring Program is helping develop the next generation of aeromedical pilots. Thanks to the support of the James Frizelle Charitable Foundation, talented pilots like Dan can access the training, mentoring and experience they need to progress towards aeromedical aviation, while helping RFDS Queensland build a sustainable pilot workforce for regional communities.