Our Trainers

Name: Jay Hircock

Position: RPAS Instructor

Flight time (hours): 50

Qualifications: Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot – Visual Line of Sight) – AVI30316, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment – TAE40110, Diploma in Workplace Health and Safety – BSB51312

How many years have you been flying drones?

1 year

Jay’s background:

Jay’s experience within the workplace includes Retail, Hospitality, Disability Services, and Gaming, but is mainly based in Construction and Rail. Starting as a Labourer with Daracon in 2007, he moved between Civic Construction, Subdivisions, Roads, Rail, and Mining sites while obtaining his Diploma in WHS and Cert IV in TAE. He considers working as a WHS Advisor and WHS Coordinator with Laing O’Rourke as a great experience, increasing his knowledge and interest in both safety and training. Outside of work, he loves sport of all kinds and the technique, teamwork, and camaraderie that is involved with it. And of course, flying his Phantom 4 Advanced drone around Newcastle.

What is your favourite things about being a trainer?  

Helping people develop within the dynamic, innovative and exciting sector of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) operation is brilliant. It gives me a sense of pride to know that we are producing quality industry and recreationally based pilots.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to enter the industry?

Being professionally trained by a quality institute such as UAVAIR has given me a wide knowledge base and a nationally recognised qualification to operate an RPA system.

Name: Ross Turner

Position: RPAS Instructor

Flight time (hours): 87

Qualifications: Certificate IV Training and Assessing, Certificate III in Aviation, Remote Pilot – Visual Line of Sight, Aeronautical Radio Operator Certificate, Remote Pilot License, Certificate III – Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical, Certificate II- Automotive Air Conditioning Technology.

Ross’ background:

Ross has been flying drones since he was a teenager. He has a passion for drones and enjoys building and flying remote control planes and RPAS. Ross is a member of the Australian Airforce Cadets (AAFC) 5 Wing – cadet and then staff member. He also has a background in the automotive industry, working as a diesel technician in Melbourne.

What is your favourite things about being a trainer?

Helping people learn to fly and be a part of the industry.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone wanting to enter the industry?

Seek out everyone who knows something related to the industry, ask many questions and learn everything you can.