Tiger Moth Ground Crew Hone Skills

Ground crew volunteers at the Mackay Tiger Moth Museum honed their skills this week, ready for their 52nd year of conducting joy flights in the iconic vintage WW2 aircraft.

Ground crew trainer Stewart Garnham said the crew are there to ensure joy flight passengers have a great experience, but they play a vital role in safety and security as well as keeping an eye on the aircraft.

He conducts the crew training for all volunteers every year, and supervises on-the-job training as experienced members pass their skills on to the newer ones.

“We build a culture of safety where any concerns can be raised by even the most junior members without fear. This is especially important in aviation,” he said.

Museum President Terry Joyce said he is proud of the professionalism shown by pilots and crew in operating the joy flights.

“We are a small team of volunteers, but we work together to care for our passengers and aeroplanes very carefully,” he said.

“Giving our community the experience of flying in these aircraft is a real privilege.”

“Two of our young crew members have recently gone on to careers in the Air Force, and we have three more teenagers now aiming to do the same. The older volunteers are only too pleased to pass on their experience,” Terry said.

Ground crew responsibilities include passenger briefing, safety, airport security, starting the engine manually, refuelling, checking and cleaning the aircraft.

New volunteers are always welcome at the Casey Avenue hangar most Saturday mornings, or make contact through the web site www.mackaytiger.com.au.

Stewart Garnham (right) with ground crew members (from left) Ashton Trott, Museum President Terry Joyce, Clayton Grech and Mark Porter. Photo supplied

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