Endorsements

Tailwheel Undercarriage 

Completing a tailwheel endorsement is like undertaking an advanced driving course - just ask any tailwheel endorsed pilot.

Learn how to take-off and land an aeroplane properly, then open a whole new world of aircraft flight training, fun, and exciting flying experiences.

A typical endorsement will take in the order of 5 hours of pilot training to complete in one of the four Bellanca Citabrias'. This will include upper air flight training; normal, short-field and crosswind take-off and landings, both 3-point and wheelers.

After mastering the Citabria, you may well wish to undertake further pilot training endorsement in either the Maule or the Cessna 180,  both aircraft challenging in their own ways!

 

Multi-Engine - Pilot Endorsements

Many pilots either professionally or privately move on to pilot training on multi-engine aircraft. Many twin engine aircraft are designed to fly higher, farther and, most importantly, faster.

At Curtis Avaiation we currently use the Partenavia P.68B for our initial multi-engine pilot endorsements. It is a more substantial aircraft than many entry-level twin engine training aircraft and you will notice this as soon as you fly this sleek looking Italian aircraft.

Both Curtis Aviation's and CASA's syllabus recommends 7 hours of training for an initial multi-engine endorsement. The endorsement will include:

  • stalls
  • steep turns
  • circuits
  • circuit emergencies including assymetric (one engine failed) flight.

If you are undertaking a Commercial Pilot's Licence we would recommend you consider incorporating mutli-engine flight training into your program.

Curtis Aviation will also train you on your new twin should you purchase one, such as the new owner of a Cessna 340 did recently.

 

Emergency Manoevure Pilot Training 

The aim of this course is to teach a pilot the techniques in handling an aeroplane in emergency manoeuvre situations. It is not unlike progressing from elementary to advanced driving.

The course involves around 4 hours of ground training and 5 hours of flying training over 5 lessons, with no more than 3 flights on the one day. Whilst it is not an aerobatic training course, some of the manoeuvres involved are aerobatic and some credit can be given towards an aerobatics rating.

Emergency Manoevure Training is a highly recommend course to undertake to assist you with your appreciation of the handling capabilities and limits of your aircraft.

Most pilots who complete this course are eager to finish with an aerobatics rating.

 

Formation Flying 

Formation Flying is precision flying. You will position yourself relative to the other aircraft vertically, longitudinally and laterally.

You will learn positions such as Echelon, Line Astern, Line Abreast as well as changing stations and pairs take-offs and landings. Pre-flight briefings in formation flying are particularly important.

You can expect a total of around 5 - 6 hours of dual pilot training in flight along with an equal number of hours on the ground.

If you are looking for a new challenge that will refine your flying skills, then this may be the course for you. 
 

Bush Strip Operations 

Flying in and out of difficult bush strips is not only challenging, it is rewarding. Outlying stations and farms are sometimes the real gems to be found for the private or commercial pilot.

Wind, Size, Slope, Shape and Surface may be familiar from your early pilot training, however, putting it into practice and forming command decisions requires training from an expert in bush strip operations. Curtis Aviation instructors are experts in bush strip operations.

Bush strips have no centrelines, often no windsocks and only trees that seem to become closer and closer to the wingtips as you land. Your early instructor probably told you to 'keep on the centreline' and 'stop that drift' - well, this is why.

Curtis Aviation has specific approvals for particular airstrips in the vicinity of Camden that will challenge you and reward you.

It is recommended you hold a PPL or CPL with a minimum 100 hours experience and a tailwheel endorsement.  
 

Constant Speed Propellor - CSU  

The CSU endorsement will teach you all there is to know about flying an aircraft with variable pitch prop.This endorsement needs to be undertaken in order to gain access to the more advanced aircraft in the Curtis fleet.