Part 1: The Story of Barossa Helicopters – Through Goose's Eyes
- neessa9
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
The First Step into Aviation
The start of Barossa Helicopters is mixed with some confusion due to everything that was happening during the 1970s.
There was the Vietnam War (July 1954 - 30 April 1975) the conscription process, and my age at the time, so there were a lot of events happening all at once. We will see how we go trying to get it all under control as I explain what happened with Barossa Helicopters.
In December 1972, I was 17 years old and about to turn 18. Conscription was abolished on 5 December 1972, just 11 months before I would have become eligible. It was an enormous relief, as I believed my number would almost certainly have come up and I would have been sent to Vietnam. The abolition of conscription lifted a huge weight off my shoulders.
My dad, Ken Kies, owned a Piper Archer II aircraft, which he regularly flew and sometimes took the family with him. I vaguely remember flying to Queensland when I was about 15 years old. I clearly remember that trip because I did not enjoy sitting in such a small aircraft at around 8,000 feet. I certainly had no love for flying at that stage.
Now, this aircraft was parked on our airstrip. I made it a point to learn how to operate every piece of equipment we had on the property, and as this aircraft was part of that, I decided to obtain my private pilot license (aeroplane). I gained my license on 2 December 1980, with the late Bruce Hartwig as my instructor.
Private pilot license (aeroplane) 2nd December 1980 and first logbook entry
Looking back now, earning my private aeroplane licence was only the beginning. At the time, I had no idea that aviation would become my career, my passion, and eventually lead to the creation of Barossa Helicopters.
Join me in Part 2 as I talk about what led me to wanting to obtain my helicopter license.. and more.. Until then, thanks for coming along on the journey.
– Goose
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