The tenure of the Chief Commissioner’s appointment expires on 31 December 2023 and accordingly it is necessary to fill the role to ensure a smooth transition into 2024.
In order to assist in making the appointment of the Chief Commissioner more manageable in terms of the bandwidth and a need to be dedicated to the uniformed AAL members and operations, the decision was taken to call for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for both appointments.
Details of the EOI can be found below.
Cadets of the Australian Air League’s South Australia Group recently had the opportunity to take the Air League’s motto, “Free from the Bonds of the Earth”, to heart when they spoke live to NASA Astronaut Warren Hoburg as he orbited above the Earth onboard the International Space.
The link-up occurred on the evening of August 25th at the Australian Space Discovery Centre in Adelaide and was attended by cadets, officers, parents, supporters from the South Australia Group, and Australian Space Discovery Centre representatives. The Australian Space Discovery Centre opened in Adelaide in 2020 at the headquarters of the Australian Space Agency and aims to inspire the next generation of the space workforce with stories of innovation, curiosity, and technology.
Using radio equipment provided by NASA, contact was made by members of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Group (ARISS) as the station passed over Europe at an altitude of 400km. Travelling at over 7km/s, the cadets had a short window of opportunity before the ISS went out of range.
In preparation for the event, the cadets of South Australia Group took part in a competition where they each submitted questions that they would like to ask the astronauts. Following a selection process, 20 cadets were chosen to each ask a question of the astronauts. The questions posed by the cadets were interesting and varied, ranging from what you can see from space, what are the future plans for the ISS, and whether astronauts can eat ice cream in space!
The cadets spoke to NASA astronaut Warren Hoburg, who had launched to the ISS as pilot of NASA’s SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft on the 2nd March 2023. With a degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley, Warren (“Woody” to his fellow astronauts) reported for duty with NASA in 2017 and, in his first mission, has already conducted two EVAs where he helped install new solar arrays to help power the ISS.
In December 2020, Woody was also announced as one of the eighteen NASA astronauts selected as part of the Artemis Program for a lunar mission in 2024.
Whilst the cadet spoke to Woody via radio, the event was live streamed on the Internet, allowing cadets in other states and members of the public to watch and listen, with amateur radio enthusiasts from as far away as Germany following along.
The motto of the Australian Air League, A Vinculo Terrae – “Free from the Bonds of the Earth” was dreamt up in an age where pioneers like Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and Bert Hinkler were still taking to the air in flimsy canvas and wire aircraft, but today it has certainly come true for these cadets.
Our thanks go to NASA and astronaut Warren Hoburg, the Australian Space Agency for making the Australian Space Discovery Centre available to us, and to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station group (ARISS) for making this event possible.
The NSW Group Air Activities Flying Training Camp for 2024 will be held between Saturday 6th, January and Sunday 14th, January 2024 at the Camden Air Activities Centre.
Members wishing to commence or further their flight training must meet the following criteria:
Application Criteria:
Spaces will be limited to a maximum of 25 students at this stage.
Flying lessons will be charged at the aircraft’s hourly rate and include any fees associated with the flight. Hire rates will be from the August 2023 price list.
The cost for accommodation, meals and activities is $250. Attendees are encouraged to bring around $50 spending money. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase during camp.
All members MUST complete an application to be considered. A completed application does not constitute acceptance into the Camp.
Applications will be assessed by members of the NSW Group Air Activities Committee and will use AAL records and Flight Training files (for those who are already training) as part of their consideration.
Key Application Dates:
Please follow the link below to apply.
Cadets of the Australian Air League’s South Australia Group will soon take the Air League’s motto, “Free From the Bonds of the Earth”, to heart when they speak live to NASA Astronaut Warren Hoburg.
They have recently received confirmation from NASA that on Friday, 25th August, the cadets will be able to talk directly with the astronauts on the International Space Station from the Australian Space Discovery Centre, Adelaide.
Using equipment provided by NASA, the cadets will have the opportunity to ask the astronauts questions about life aboard the orbiting space station over 400km above the Earth’s surface.
The event will be live-streamed on the Air League’s Facebook page from 6:30 pm (CST), so register now!
The latest Federal Routine Orders have been published for members and are available online via the links below.
