Real-world training for real-world pilots.
About Us
Aeropower Flight School is a part of the Aeropower group, headquartered at Redcliffe Aerodrome, Brisbane, Australia. In addition to flight training, Aeropower offers specialist aviation-based inspection and maintenance services for the utilities sector across Australia and internationally.
For 30 years, Aeropower has pioneered the use of helicopters for a range of services to electricity network owners and operators including patrol, surveillance, inspection, and maintenance of powerline infrastructure, as well as asset management support.
Since inception, Aeropower has operated comprehensively within Australia but also in PNG, Hong Kong, China, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Israel – where it approaches its 20th anniversary. Combined, Aeropower has flown more than 140,000 hours of aviation operations for utilities.
Aeropower Flight Crew
Mark McConnell
Head of Operations/Grade 1 Instructor
Mark has been flying since 2009 gaining his instructor rating a year later in New Zealand. Since then he has done a mix of instructing and commercial work including powerline, charter, sling and aerial spotting and more. Mark has worked and lived in a number of different locations in New Zealand and Australia after moving over here in 2014. Now living on the Sunshine coast with his young family. Mark has been the Head of Operations for the Aeropower Flight school since late 2020.
Raymond Callow
Grade 1 Instructor
Ray first joined Aeropower as a charter pilot for the Tangalooma operation, having completed his flight training with a flight school on the Sunshine Coast. After building time, and flying tourists around, he decided it was time to get an instructor rating and joined our flight school in late 2019. Ray brings a dedication to teaching and a careful, considered approach to training that makes him a very popular instructor with the students
Jen McCabe
Grade 3 instructor in training
Jen obtained her Commercial Helicopter Pilot licence in Vancouver, Canada in 2013.
Jen commenced her career with Alpine Helicopters Canada. She returned to Australia & has flown in the Torres Straits, Victoria, Whitsundays and the Kimberley, WA.
Rhiley Boyson
Grade 3 Instructor
Rhiley joined Aeropower in September 2021 and is the most junior member of the flight instructing team. Rhiley comes from a background in army aviation where he flew Blackhawks. He now brings those hard earned skills with him into the civilian flight instruction world.
Exacting, meticulous and technically strong is a good way to describe Rhiley's approach to flying and the standards he expects of his students.
Stuart Coulter
Grade 2 Instructor
Stuart gained his licence with Aeropower in 2014 and from there started flying all over Queensland. He then returned to Aeropower as a theory instructor/charter pilot which set him up for the management/flying role at the Tangalooma operation on Moreton Island. Stuart then returned to the flight school as a Grade 2 instructor.
More recently Stuart has conducted patrols in the powerline side of the business.
Dan Ward
Grade 2 Instructor
Dan commenced his Flying career in the top end in 2009 after many years working on the remote cattle stations of northern Australia. Dan has extensive experience in mustering, aerial culling, aerial burning/firefighting, sling, geological/mining survey and charter.
Dan made the move from Katherine NT to SE QLD in 2018 to pursue his interest in instructing and mentoring the next generation of professional pilots.
Robert Wilson
Flight School Co-ordinator
Rob is a commercial helicopter pilot with a passion for aviation. He is a friendly face in the school, and is a fantastic point of contact for current and potential students.
Rob is highly experienced in the operation of VET Student Loans as they relate to helicopter training, and will be able to assist you with a wide range of questions.
Safety & Quality
Our regulatory suites underpinned by a comprehensive integrated management system which is ISO 45001 accredited. Our regulatory suite includes:
- Electrical Contractor Licence Live Line Maintenance Approval
- Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Air Operator’s Certificate
- CASA Part 141 Flight Training Organisation Approval
- CASA CAR 30 Aircraft Maintenance Organisation Approval
- CASA RPAS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) Operator’s Certificate
- Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) Registered Training Organisation (RTO), approval no. 2912 & Overseas Student Provider, CRICOS code 03250B
- Australian Department of Education Approved VET Student Loans Provider
- Cm3 contractor preapproval
- Ariba Repro European contractor preapproval
The Legal Bits
- Training Provider: Aeropower Flight School (Aeropower Pty Ltd), RTO No. 2912
- Course code & title: AVI50322 – Diploma of Aviation (Commercial Pilot Licence – Helicopter)
- Maximum Tuition Fee: $117,506.88 (Advanced Course Option – Elect to conduct all flying in 4-seat R44 Helicopter)
- VET Student Loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements.
- A VET Student Loan gives rise to a VETSL debt which continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.
Ready to begin your journey?
Got questions?
We’d love to hear from you!
You can get in touch using the contact us form, give us a call, or drop into the hangar.
Redcliffe Airport,
Hangar 32,
Nathan Rd, Rothwell
QLD 4022, Australia
Bankstown Airport,
Hangar 109
Drover Road, Bankstown
NSW 2200, Australia