What is your name and where are you from?
Hi, my name is Gareth and I am originally from South East Queensland.
Why did you become a helicopter pilot?
Flying helicopter is something I've always wanted to do since I was a quite young. What helicopters and the roles provide interest me a lot more than planes do.
What is the thing you enjoy most about being a helicopter pilot?
The amazing views that I get to see from up high in the helicopter and constant challenge of learning new things and overcoming problems.
How long have you been flying?
I have been flying for just over 12 months, and loving it!
Where have you done most of your flying?
Most of my flying has been done in the Kimberley, WA as well as in Northern Territory.
What do you enjoy about flying in the Kimberley?
Kimberley outback tours offered by HeliSpirit show you the best of the region and the awesome scenery. That's why Kimberley tours for seniors are well suited.
What is it like living at Katherine Gorge through-out the tourist season?
Good. I enjoy living out in the bush keeping things nice and simple, good scenery, creatures around, clean air, no daily commute in traffic or having to deal with bozos and the unnecessary constraints/pressures of the more populated areas.
What are the best aspects/ most spectacular parts of Katherine Gorge?
The rock formations out near the back of the gorge and the waterfalls always looks different in different light especially with all the burn off smoke around.
What is your favourite tours to take people on?
My favourite tours would have to be the K3, which is the flight over the 13 gorges and the K4 where we go right out over Arnhem Land.
How many seasons have you spent at Katherine? Where else have you been too?
I have been at Katherine Gorge for one season and I have also done some admin work up at Mitchell Plateau.
What is the most common question you get from passengers?
The most common question people ask is probably “Where is the smoke coming from?” and”Who lights the bushfires?”
What do you do during the off season?
Well so far, I have only had one off season so there is no normal for me yet, though the only one I've had I took on other work doing farming jobs and also spent a month renovating the folk's home for them. Oh, and also got some surfing time in-between all that.
Gareth is a line pilot at the HeliSpirit who takes people on east Kimberley tours and tours over Katherine Gorge.
Martin Wynn
Nguyen An Tra My
