Seahawk drops in for school visit

KATINA CURTIS

THE excitement of Gerringong Public School’s students almost drowned out the noise of the Seahawk helicopter landing on their oval last Thursday.

The visit was part of the Naval Aviations Prospect Scheme, which encourages students to think about taking up a career as a naval pilot.

NAPS manager Lieutenant Commander Daryl Robinson said they usually only go to high schools, but decided to come to Gerringong because the children of some of the staff involved in the program were enrolled there.

“We’ve been to the Southern Highlands but this is our first time in the Illawarra so it is very exciting for us,” he said.

“We basically should have a fun-filled day where the students get to fly helicopters (on simulators), we show them some of the emergency equipment we use and give them briefs.”

The Year 5 and 6 students took part in these activities as well as listening to a presentation about the life of a naval pilot, but all the students got to see the helicopter land just after 9am.

The naval personnel spent almost an hour showing students the helicopter and answering their hundreds of questions.

School principal Joy Fullagar thought the day would be a great experience for all the students.

“It was just something different and they were so excited. It’s an experience we hope they remember for a long time,” she said.

The pilot for the special expedition was Commander Chris Smallhorn, whose two daughters attend the school.

He brought HMAS Albatross business manager Dave Robinson as a passenger, who was pleased to get out from behind his desk for once.

“I took the opportunity because Chris was doing a training sortie,” he said.

“The NAPS guys normally wouldn’t come to a primary school but it was great to give something back to the community because they’ve looked after four of my kids.”

Gerringong teacher Alan Costigan co-ordinated the visit because of his interest in aviation – he is a member of the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society – and was pleased to have the chance to get personal with a Seahawk.

When the helicopter left there was more excitement with a demonstration of a rescue technique, winching one of the navy personnel off the ground up into the chopper.