NAA Fly Away 2023

17 staff / students, 6 aircraft, 3 days....1 epic fly away. 

How do we put the FUN into flight training? There's multiple social events and Friday BBQ's throughout the year which our students are encouraged to attend but there's one long weekend that everyone locks in the calendar and that is the National Aviation Academy annual fly away. 

It's like a school excursion but in the sky. So in other words....it's WAY better.  

Our crew kicked off day 1 with an 8am departure from Townsville to Pentland where the most delicious toasted sandwiches were devoured for morning tea at the Wookatok Art Gallery before jumping back in the cockpit and setting off to Longreach where they spent night 1. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a trip to Longreach without a tour of the iconic Qantas Founders Museum and a whole team dinner at the birdcage, finished off with some (overly competitive) games of pool.

The losing team had no time to feel sorry for themselves as day 2 was jam packed where lots of hours were logged as they flew through Hughenden for a re-fuel and snack break then parked up at Undara for the Archway tour. The rest of the night was spent by the campfire, sharing stories under the stars whilst snacking on s'mores. 

A slow start on Sunday was required after two big days of flying, exploring and socialising. Undara put on an incredible bbq breakfast by the fire and our crew and it easily one of the highlights of the weekend. 

After a nice, long breakfast, it was unfortunately time to start the journey home but there was one little stop that couldn't be missed. A short 10 minute flight away from Undara is a place called Pinnarendi, which is well-known for their home cooked meals, so of course they had to stop in and try it out for themselves. 

After a belly full of pizza, it was officially time to complete day 3 of the best weekend in the calendar. In company, the crew departed Pinnarendi and left for the last leg, back to our bases in Townsville and Cairns. Whilst it's all over again for another year, there's a lifetime of memories that each student 7 staff member now have to take home with them along with another set of skills from navigating through outback Australia. 

Thank you to everyone who hosted National Aviation Academy and helped make this weekend possible. We can't wait to do it all again in 2024...any suggestions on where we should go? 

Head over to our instagram or Facebook to see all the fun! @naa.nationalaviationacademy 

or find us on TikTok - @hangar85