IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO STUDENTS:
I have to tell you that as a result of a recent audit my hourly rate now has a $20 RAAus “compliance levy” attached. The reason being that recently the RAAus repealed some of the exemptions we were afforded, such as biennial calibration of instruments, compulsory carriage and replacement of other equipment and the resulting at least twice the amount of paperwork. Not to mention the subtle but steady increase in membership, registration and admin fees. In short this has caused a price increase. This decision hasn’t been made lightly. However, Airescape is still the cheapest flight school I am aware of.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO FLY?
WHATEVER IT IS
THE FUN STARTS NOW!
MICROLIGHT
TRAINING
Weightshift microlights – or “trikes” – look a bit like powered hang-gliders.
For your first lesson, or Trial Introductory Flight, you will be in the passenger seat (the rear seat) but you’ll be able to fly the aircraft from there and get your first feel of the controls and how they work.
By the second lesson you can be in the front seat with the instructor safely behind you, who is able to take full control at any time.
ULTRALIGHT
TRAINING
Ultralights – also called “3-axis” – are a bit smaller than usual general aviation training aircraft, such as the more recognisable Cessna and Piper makes. Ultralights have the same controls (yoke or joystick) and usually an enclosed cockpit. They have much better visibility than general aviation planes and depending on the type are often easier to fly and more fun.
Depending on which type of ultralight you choose, the hours spent training for your Pilot Certificate in a 3-axis aircraft may count towards a general aviation Private Pilot Licence.
TAIL DRAGGER
COURSE
Tail dragger aircraft refers to the position of the landing gear.
Considered to be the correct or traditional setup, having the steerable wheel at the back instead of the front, is arguably the more challenging configuration of the two. Although we don’t currently have a tail dragger on line, Air Escape can provide tail dragger endorsements and training, either in your own aircraft or in one of several aircraft available for cross hire from other tail dragger owners.
GYRO
TRAINING
Gyrocopters are becoming very popular. There’s a range of makes and styles. They come with open and closed cockpits. Gyros have a thrust engine, as in a microlight, for forward motion. The rotors are not powered but provide lift and enable slow flight. Gyros need a short runway for take-off but can land more or less vertically. They’re fun and fairly easy to fly.
Due to their high wing loading and ability to fly in almost all weather, gyrocopters are fast becoming the aircraft of choice for the well healed flying enthusiast.
You can start your training at almost any age.
Now is PERFECT !
WHO ARE WE?
We’re a Recreational Aviation school based in Tumut NSW. We’ve been training people to have fun in the air (safely) for decades. Our Chief Flying Instructor and Chief Pilot, Pete Wilson, has flown and taught in countries all over the world including China, Fiji, Indonesia, Israel, America – and of course Australia.
Pete was selected by the Alinghi syndicate to fly one of two amphibious trikes in Valencia, Spain, for the America’s Cup. When you run a multi-multi-million-dollar yacht racing syndicate you want the very best in the world, so you scour the world to find them. They found Pete Wilson.
Air Escape is one of only two full time sport and recreational pilot training facilities in Australia which offer both Weightshift (Microlight) and 3-axis (Ultralight) tuition.
WHY FLY WITH US?
1: Our Chief Flying Instructor and Chief PIlot, Pete Wilson, has decades of experience and thousands of hours flying and testing students around the world. He’s a great Instructor, easy to get along with and great fun to fly with.
2: Tumut is one of the prettiest, most enjoyable and quietest places (in aviation terms) to learn to fly. In short, you get more flying for your dollar. No waiting for other aircraft, more calm weather than rough, little or no rain (sadly). Tumut is a couple of minutes from Blowering Dam where you can sight-see or practise your amphibious flying. Tumut is one of the reasons people come from far away, even overseas, to learn to fly with Pete.
3: Our most famous student is Dick Smith: aviator, adventurer, businessman, jet pilot, helicopter pilot, the first man to circumnavigate the world solo in a helicopter, former Australian of the Year, long time Air Escape student and friend, who says:
“I have found Peter Wilson to be an absolutely top instructor.”
4: All the heaps of other reasons
TREAT YOURSELF TO A TRIAL FLIGHT
We think you want to be sure learning to fly is what you really want to do before you start spending serious money. We want to be sure it’s what you want, too. And of course we want both of us to be sure you’re going to succeed.
A Trial Instructional Flight (TIF) is a real lesson you can enter in your log book. It’s also great fun.
You can also gift a TIF for someone for a special occasion, or just for fun (or because they keep going on about wanting to learn to fly).
“If anybody wants a fantastic experience or even a hobby, then this is it! There is really no other way you can feel more like a bird! Unlike a plane, you can see the sights above, below and ALL around you while the wind is hitting your face. Pete is such a wonderful, funny, knowledgeable teacher and person.”
To make a booking: Phone us, Email us, or get in touch with us via the Contact Form below,
WHERE IS AIR ESCAPE?
Air Escape is on Tumut Airport (IATA: TUM, ICAO: YTMU) at 35°15′46″S 148°14′27″E. Elevation 863 ft. It is in the Riverina about two hours flying (GA) south from Sydney and north from Melbourne, half an hour west from Canberra, and within minutes SE of Wagga Wagga.
We’re near the snow country and Kosciusko, and all the excitement of the Victorian Alps is just a couple of hours by Microlight. Lake Jindabyne is a fun hour or two’s cross country flight away The landscape around Tumut is beautiful; lots of variety, lots to see (including Blowering Dam) and perfect for flying.
The airport has one sealed runway measuring 1,060m x 18m. Emergency runway lighting is available for night ops. Refuelling facilities are provided.
GETTING TO AIR ESCAPE
Airlines don’t fly to Tumut. But by car, Tumut is only about an hour from Wagga, 2 hours from Albury, two and a half from Canberra, four hours from Sydney and five and a half from Melbourne.
WHAT ELSE?
FLYAWAYS
Every now and then we organise fly-aways for students and friends. The fly-away can be a day trip from Tumut to somewhere special, with stop-offs at interesting locations for a snack or a look around. We can fly up the valleys, over the mountains and lakes, and along the roads, train lines and rivers. Flyaways are great for honing your nav. skills.
AMPHIBIOUS
The thing about microloghts’ wheels is: there’s not enough air in them to stop you sinking in a lake.
That’s what the amphibious microlights are for. It’s a whole extra way to have fun flying. Blowering Dam is close to Tumut and there are other lakes and rivers not too far away.
Give it a try!
HANGAR SPACE
Airescape has a sizeable hangar and we look after all sorts of aircraft in there. We’ve even had Spirit of Australia II in the hangar. It’s being developed for a World Water Speed Record attempt.
And we have room for your machine. Keep it safe, or build it or perform maintenance on it. Let’s do a deal.
TESTING
If you’re learning to fly you have to be tested. That’s theory and flying. There are a few tests to go through. None too difficult, especially in the early stages.
Then once you have your Certificate or Licence you have to remain both current and recent with flight reviews and recency checks. We do it for Dick Smith. We can do it for you.
SHOP
APPAREL
& EQUIPMENT
Air Escape can provide you with flying suits, gloves, goggles, headsets, helmets, and thermal-wear.
We can also provide training materials such as texts, and navigation instruments and calculators.
To order contact Air Escape.
AIRBORNE
TRIKES
Air Escape are dealers for Airborne trikes in cooperation with Airborne Windsports, the Australian manufacturer and distributor. Air Escape and Airborne can assist you with choosing which microlight is right for you. Air Escape has a fully qualified instructor on site who can safely and comprehensively train you in your own aircraft.
MAGNI
GYRO
Air Escape are dealers for Magni Gyrocopters in cooperation with Airborne Windsports, the Australian distributor/ importer. Air Escape and Airborne Windsports can assist you with choosing which gyrocopter is right for you. Air Escape has a fully qualified instructor on site who can safely and comprehensively train you in your own aircraft.