Hi welcome to my site..... So, a little about me.... redsnail or reddo to my mates. I do have a real name, Heather. I was born at an early age in Sydney, Australia in August, 1965. A fairly uneventful childhood was had. I was a bit of a tomboy (and still am). I suppose this is where the seeds were sown for my future. I learnt to ride a mini bike (a Bombardier 50) and I found aeroplanes (thanks Grandpa). School wasn't the best thing that ever happened and so I ended up at Tech learning how to be a lab technician. I passed that and eventually worked at Macquarie University's School of Biological Sciences. This changed my destiny. One of the lecturers there had his own Cherokee and took me flying one day. I was hooked, I had to do this!!!
Time passed and tens of thousands of dollars later I'm ready to leave Sydney and try my luck in the Aviation world. 1994 found me in Kununurra, a town in the East Kimberley, Western Australia. After working as a hangar rat for four months I got a job with Alligator Airways. Many Bungles trips later and trips to Kalumburu I was saved by Surveillance Australia. So in 1996 I moved to Broome, West Kimberley.
Here I flew Islanders (BN2) and eventually the Aerocommander (AC500s). My job was to fly 2 observers around the coast looking for well, anything. I saw and photographed some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia, if not the world. To think I got paid to do this! Also, in Broome, I met my Ducati......Junior
Two and a half years on and I was back on the East coast of Australia. I had now entered a new phase of my flying, turbines, two crew, RPT (regular public transport). I was in Cairns for a very brief 18 months flying Bandeirantes and Twin Otters. I flew the "Bandit" to the Gulf country (Gulf of Carpentaria) and the Twin Otter to various island resorts in tropical north Queensland.
I then moved down to Sydney to work for a large regional flying Dash 8's. Home at last but for how long? Not too long it seemed. Have dual passports will travel. I have now completed the 14 JAR ATPL exams and just about to finish the flying. All being well, this should be completed by the end of June 2002. After the shocker of a year that 2001 was for aviation 2002 is shaping up to be better. Condolences to those who lost friends and family in 2001, especially in New York. I am currently living near Luton, England and I am keen to get back to Scotland. As an Australian, I do appreciate the opening hours.
I am still single and I don't have any childen. A Ducati is enough. Last year I lost my father to cancer. I cannot thank my Mum and Dad enough for letting me go to the UK knowing what was going to happen. I kept going simply because I knew Dad would have wanted me too and I would have only let Mum down if I had failed. I have one brother, Bruce age mid 30's and in his spare time, restores Ferrets and other military vehicles.
