Josh Davis
Country of Origin
Australia
When did you train at Beckers?
2002
Why helicopters?
So much more exciting and challenging than our fixed wing friends. The world's more interesting below the transition layer!
Whilst training at Beckers what was your biggest challenge?
Probably sling training. My goodness that was a workout! It was like learning to hover all over again, but it was of the funniest things I've done.
Most memorable flight?
First solo. We cruised around for 20 minutes or so doing autos and then we did a circuit where Deano proceeded to tell me what to do upon engine failure at every (and I mean every) point in the circuit. I knew something was up. Sure enough I went up to the best 3 circuits I've ever done to this day.
What did you do when you finished your training?
Road trip followed by some work chasing cows on horseback before getting offered an engineering apprenticeship from Mike and Jan.
What are you doing now?
Right now I'm looking after two young kids who are trying their best to turn my hair grey! But my job is with CHC flying Super Pumas 2 weeks on 2 weeks off. It allows me the privilege of changing nappies so much.
How many hours have you logged?
1800 total time.
What are your ratings?
H269, B47, R22, R44, B206, AS332
What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Finished with the nappy changing! Probably doing much the same as I am currently, still flying out to the rigs. If I could get a very profitable business of the ground then maybe I could fly less and less. I know it may be hard to imagine right now but there is so much more to life than helicopters. I wouldn't have believed you if you had told me that 8 years ago though! I would love to own a A109 Grande one day and take the family around OZ and beyond. Maybe that can be my 10 year goal!
Advice to those wanting to learn to fly?
Enjoy your training and suck every bit of info out of your instructors as you can. Quiz them on their past flying lives and get a working prospective on the industry and how things happen in the real world. You never stop learning. Don't see Theory as a necessary evil, it all plays a part a part in your career and you will use it all again. Also do your ATPL subjects straight after your CPL exams even if you don't think you'll ever need them, they're not scary.
Advice on looking for work?
Just the usual stuff. Good attitude, always fly and carry yourself like a future employer or CASA is watching you. You never know, they just might be! I've been offered a job and missed out on a job because of it. Be prepared that it won't be easy finding a job but remember this is what you've always wanted to do. It will happen if you want it bad enough. Don't listen to negative people or opinions.
