Flight Options Australia

DID YOU KNOW? On this day, 67 years ago, the first flying club on the Sunshine Coast was founded!

However, the club was originally founded with an ulterior motive...

Mr David Low MLA was trying to get a Sunshine Coast airport built— one with a runway suitable for modern aircraft — but he wasn't having much luck.

Mr Low reached out to a young pilot, Roy Kassulke, and asked him for advice on the best way to get an airport. Mr Kassulke advised him to "seek interest in the formation of an aero club." And that's exactly what happened.

On May 29, 1959, a meeting was held in Nambour attended by 120 people. As a result of the meeting, the Maroochy Aero Club was founded (now known as Sunshine Coast Aero Club).

Two years later, on August 12, 1961, the Maroochy Airport was officially opened — partly thanks to the formation of the Maroochy Aero Club, which helped lay the foundations for the Sunshine Coast's now-bustling aviation industry.

Flight Options was established in 2007 by Steve Padgett, who relocated his aviation business from Sydney and joined the Sunshine Coast aviation community in 1995.

Ever since then, Flight Options has proudly supported the local community and played a small role in shaping the future of aviation on the Sunshine Coast by training the next generation of pilots.

Who knows what this local industry and airport could look like in another 60 years!

📷: Photo by Rob Tonge, taken 1960

Trade traffic for turquoise waters and day-trip to Hamilton Island.

Within hours of departing, you could be touching down in the Whitsundays and spending the day doing exactly as you like.

Enjoy a long lunch by the marina, a round at Hamilton Island Golf Club or simply soak up the tropical surrounds.

The best part is you won't have the hassle of queues and the compromises of commercial travel. Instead, enjoy the convenience of a private charter, departing when it suits you, so your time isn't wasted, it's well spent.

Enquire today about your next day trip.

☎️: +61 7 5353 5242
📧: [email protected]

(Image 2, courtesy of Hamilton Island )

Which jet would you choose when chartering a flight?

We have six aircraft in our private charter fleet — two Bombardier Learjet 45s, a Dassault Falcon 2000LX, two Cessna Citations (the C550 II and the Citation X) and the Embraer Phenom 300E.

They each offer unique benefits to our customers and the destinations they fly to.

Which would you choose?

Comment below and tell us your favourite. ✈️

There’s no better endorsement than hearing directly from the pilots who train with us.

We’re proud to deliver Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) training that not only prepares students for airline operations but also creates an environment where people feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.

Thank you to this recent student for the incredible feedback — and for trusting Flight Options with such an important step in your aviation career.

Ready to take the next step toward the flight deck? Our MCC courses are designed to give real-world multi-crew experience in a professional training environment.

Learn more about MCC training today.

☎️ +61 7 5353 5242
📧 [email protected]

Frodge came to visit us! 🐸

We were honoured to welcome Frodge to our Sunshine Coast HQ last week.

While visiting, Frodge completed their Multi Crew Cooperation course in our A320 simulator and beautifully navigated the difficult (yet stunning) approach to Queenstown Airport. 👏

With their training complete, Frodge decided to check out some of our private charter options. They took a trip on one of our Bombardier Learjets (and were so comfy they fell asleep), and had a look around the Cessna Citation Bravo.

For those who may not know, Frodge is travelling the world on behalf of Jacob — the teenage son of two Qantas pilots.

Jacob is currently undergoing treatment for leukaemia and isn't well enough to travel. So, his parents and the entire aviation community have rallied together to bring the world to Jacob through the Instagram account.

At Flight Options Australia, we're proud to be part of an industry that genuinely shows up for its people. When times get tough, we always stick together.

Hosting Frodge is a reminder of the power of this community — across airlines, operators and organisations — to come together and make a difference, one journey at a time.

Jacob, this one's for you. We hope Frodge enjoyed their training experience and can put their new qualifications to good use.

Complete your training before the end of the financial year!

We have a few available spots remaining within upcoming courses...

✈️ Multi Crew Cooperation course for late May ⎯ 2 spots remaining
✈️ Multi Engine Class Rating June course ⎯ 2 spots remaining
✈️ Multi Engine Instrument Rating June course ⎯ 1 spot remaining

Contact us now for more information and to secure your spot in these sought-after courses.

💻 www.flightoptions.com.au
☎️ +61 7 53535242
📧 [email protected]

What’s better than one Learjet? Two Learjets!

Flight Options now proudly operates two Bombardier Learjet 45s — doubling the speed, flexibility and capability we can offer our customers. And gosh, they look good parked under the blue skies at Sunshine Coast Airport. 🌞

From private charter to aeromedical support, twice the jets means twice the capability when it matters most.

Why train at Flight Options? Because our instructors are world-class.

Meet Brian, one of our highly-experienced Flight Examiners and Instructors. With more than 60 years of experience within aviation, Brian has a wealth of knowledge to share.

We sat down with Brian to discuss his life as an aviator and his role at Flight Options. Here's what he said.

"I've been immersed in aviation my entire life. My father was a RAF pilot in WWII, and after I was born in Sydney, he returned to working for the RAF for the remainder of his career. I grew up around Air Force bases all over the world.

"I joined Flight Options more than a year ago, and I most enjoy the challenge that comes with helping every pilot to achieve their potential. I truly want every student who trains at Flight Options to become the best pilot possible.

"Before working for Flight Options, I spent nearly 30 years flying for Qantas, and ran major aviation areas globally for a further 25 years. I'm lucky to have achieved every professional goal I've set for myself over my lifetime.

"When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren and their families, and travelling, of course.

"I consider myself to have been incredibly lucky to have enjoyed an aviation career for as many years as I have, and have had the good fortune to work with a tremendous group of people all over the world. It's very rewarding to be now able to give back some of the knowledge and experience that I've gained over my long career through teaching at Flight Options."

Thanks for sharing your story, Brian!

Multi Crew Cooperation course for late May - 2 spots remaining

Multi Engine Class Rating June course - 2 spots remaining

Multi Engine Instrument Rating June course - 1 spot remaining

Contact us now for pricing and to secure your spot in these sought after courses.

www.flightoptions.com.au

Phone: +61 7 53535242

Email: [email protected]

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the mums out there, especially those within our Flight Options and Sunshine Coast Jet Centre team, we wish you all a very special and happy day. Thank you for everything you do!

📷 Our Flight Options mums: Julie, Leanne, Karen and Leanna.