KESTREL AVIATION COLLEGE

Profile

Kestrel Aviation was established in 1985 by Ray Cronin the Managing Director and Chief Flying Instructor for the company. Motivated by the lack of dedicated helicopter flying schools in Australia, Ray identified a need for a specialist helicopter training school and Kestrel was established at Moorabbinn Airport.

Kestrel was named after the small hawk called the 'Kestrel' which is one of the few birds that can both hover and fly.
Kestrel's mission is to provide trainee pilots with the best possible foundation on which to build their aviation career. To this end our training programme is consistent with the high level of skills demanded both in the airline and in the GA (General Aviation) industries around the world.

Our training programme is complimented by our fleet of aircraft, our dedicated instructors and the excellence of our facilities at Mangalore Airport.

Kestrel soon outgrew Moorabbin Airport, and in line with its' key focus on training and achieving the best possible results for its' candidates, Kestrel carefully researched and selected Mangalore Airport in Central Victoria as its' new training base. The company moved all of its' facilities and staff to Mangalore Airport in 1989. This has led to further growth and development with the addition of an aeroplane flying school and a 26-bed accommodation complex being added in the early nineties.

Mangalore Airport has also enabled Kestrel to expand into one of the busiest helicopter schools in the southern hemisphere with 10 helicopters and 4 fixed wing aircraft, all owned and operated by Kestrel.

In addition to private and commercial courses, Kestrel conduct other specialist courses of training including helicopter and aeroplane Night VFR training and Multi engine command Instrument Ratings. Advanced approvals such as low level endorsements, sling load operations and training in an extensive list of helicopter and aeroplane types can be accessed at the college.