As a child, Nathan had a recurring tradition of attending the Avalon Air show every year, igniting a deep fascination with aviation and the potential of it becoming a lifelong career. The inspiration to pursue a path as a fighter pilot was sparked after watching the movie “Topgun.” However, this dream encountered a setback, as the individual’s height rendered them ineligible to fly the F18 aircraft, and Nathan lacked interest in piloting other aircraft within the Airforce.
In response to this challenge, Nathan decided to work full-time while concurrently pursuing part-time flying opportunities. This dedication eventually led to the attainment of their Commercial Pilot’s License. Seeking to further their aviation education, in 2014, they successfully enrolled and completed a diploma program in aviation. A turning point in their journey came in 2016 when they secured a significant opportunity at Tasfast Air Freight Moorabbin, which served as their foot in the door moment. Building on this experience, they went on to become an Instructor and Charter pilot before commencing a new chapter by joining Learn to Fly, marking another significant milestone in their career. Although the dream of becoming a Topgun may remain unrealised, Nathan has discovered immense satisfaction in their current role as an instructor, finding joy in guiding and witnessing students embark on their solo flights. Reflecting on their journey, they express a profound sense of reward and fulfilment.
Aviation has always been a part of Cam Meyer’s life. Following in his father’s footsteps, he first took flying lessons in 1982; however, school and university delayed flying training in earnest until 1992. Cam’s interest in the technical aspects of aeroplanes and piloting is what led to him becoming a flight instructor, working at various flying schools at Moorabbin and at Avalon.
Most of his flying in the past 12 years has been with aerial photographers and flight instructor training, but he had the most fun as an aerobatics joy flight pilot and training for a low-level rating.
Cam developed an interest in aviation safety management when it started emerging as a “new idea” for general aviation in the early 2000s, introducing formal safety systems for the flying schools worked for and eventually taking it on as a full-time role in 2020.
Cam applies his extensive knowledge and experience in aviation and safety management to his role at Learn to Fly as a Part 142 Safety Manager. He is responsible for investigating and reporting on the company’s aviation risk exposure management and fostering a robust safety culture within the organisation, an ideal that must be fiercely defended and meticulously nurtured.
Cam enjoys cycling to work every day with Pepper the dog in her trailer behind to find out what challenges have to be met each day.
Grade 2 LTF Instructor Kenny Won is originally from Korea and grew up in Hong Kong, and was fascinated by planes from a young age. He still clearly remembers a visit to the cockpit of an Airbus A320 during a flight when he was about 7 or 8 years old, and making the decision that this was what he wanted to do in the future.
Kenny started flying in 2017 in the USA, and obtained his PPL training part time whilst also studying at University. Following Uni, he returned to Hong Kong and worked in another industry for a couple of years before a career in the sky called to him.
He came to Australia and completed his CPL and Flight Instructor Rating with us here at LTF in 2019, and we’re now thrilled to welcome him back as an Instructor. Kenny’s ultimate goal is flying with an international airline.
Grade 1 Flight Instructor Stephen Kong was born in Malaysia and grew up in Melbourne with a fascination for planes and aviation. He has been flying since 2013 and completed his flight training right here at Moorabbin Airport.
After completing his training, Stephen spent a number of years working as a Flight Instructor at Moorabbin. His instructor role saw him heavily involved in the training of airline cadets before he eventually joined a major Asian airline himself as a pilot.
As a pilot, Stephen loves the unique views of the world he gets to see from above. He’s looking forward to working with student pilots again, and we are thrilled to have his extensive aviation experience here at Learn To Fly.
Grade 1 Flight Instructor Lawrie Byrnes has a LOT of aviation experience, having been flying for over 50 years! He grew up in Melbourne and was always fascinated with model aeroplanes as a youngster.
It wasn’t until later on when he was being escorted around Vietnam in C130 Hercules aircraft that he truly realised that the pilot life was his calling. His career has seen him flying for regional airlines and charter in an impressive range of aircraft that includes the Mitsubishi MU-2, Douglas DC3, Cessna Citation, Beechcraft 1900 and Piper PA31 Navajo.
Lawrie loves striving for accuracy in his flying, and after his extensive career, he has turned his attention to Aerobatics, Formation and IFR. We’re thrilled to have such an experienced pilot on board to head up our Formation and Aerobatics Endorsement courses.
Josh started his flying training at age 16 but was born with aviation in his blood. He remembers flying around the Victorian Gippsland region in Cessna 172s with his grandfather as a small child, as well as regular trips to some of the larger airports to watch the “big planes” coming and going.
As a Flight Instructor, Josh loves the fact that every day there is something different to teach. He’s also a big fan of the fact that typically, every customer or student leaves with a smile on their face after flying.
Whilst Josh would one day love to fly in a domestic passenger transport role, his ultimate goal is to join the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Born in Sri Lanka, Grade 1 LTF Flight Instructor David Buultjens moved to Australia as a 7-year-old with a dream to one day be a pilot and have the “best office view in the world”.
He started his flight training in 2013 and has now been instructing for nearly 3 years. He loves being able to help those with a passion for aviation to accomplish their flying goals.
Whilst he’s already achieved his childhood dream of having the world’s best office view, he’d love to one day work with a major international airline.
Originally from London, Senior Base Pilot and Grade 1 Flight Instructor Nick Harris has been flying for over 12 years. He tells us that it “seemed like a good idea at the time” to become a pilot, but we think that maybe it had more to do with growing up watching the Concorde take off over his house (um, that’s pretty awesome).
As an instructor, Nick loves seeing how excited students get after their first solo, or after passing their flight test.
He hopes to one day fly a Tiger Moth around Australia – and in fact, he’s actually building one at the moment to do just that!
