Message from the Head of Aviation

I hope you are safe and well during these challenging COVID-19 times.  We are now coming to the end of the second trimester in Griffith Aviation.  Keep reading to see what our current students are up to in the MATES (Mentoring Aviators through Educational Support) program, plus a story on how our flight training continues through Basair at Archerfield Airport.  Our featured aviation staff member in this edition is Dr Christine Boag-Hodgson, who transferred into Griffith Aviation from the School of Applied Psychology in January 2020.

We also cover the first student recipient of the scholarship provided by Archerfield Airport Corporation, Chace Elridge, and former student, Oscar Soi, who is now back flying in Kenya.  Enjoy the read.

Very best wishes moving forward.

Professor Tim Ryley

Aviation students take the MATES program to new heights.

With all teaching moved online due to COVID-19, the aviation student leadership team put their creative thinking caps on to establish a new innovative platform to deliver the Aviation MATES program (Mentoring Aviators Through Educational Support) online.  Read more about this wonderful program supporting our current aviation students here.

Student pilots continue flight training during COVID-19

Griffith Aviation students continue to take flight despite COVID-19 as training continues throughout the pandemic. Although planes around the world may be grounded, forward-thinking and optimistic Graduate Diploma of Flight Management students Rosie Martin and Matilda Sandell were ecstatic Griffith University allowed them to continue with their training. Read more about Rosie and Matilda here.

Meet our Senior Lecturer Dr Christine Boag-Hodgson

What is your career background?
I am an endorsed Organisational Psychologist in human factors and aviation psychology with 15 years in industry and academia. After lecturing at The University of Queensland, I worked at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) as a Senior Transport Safety Investigator (Human Factors), investigating aviation, marine and rail accidents/incidents. Next, I was with Airservices Australia where I undertook investigations and reviews, managed their safety databases and designed/delivered safety training courses. In 2015, I returned to Brisbane as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Psychology at Griffith University where I was also the Organisational Psychology Placement Coordinator and Acting Program Director. Earlier this year I transitioned to Griffith Aviation.

What are some of your career highlights?
At the Australian Transport Safety Bureau I investigated some interesting accidents/incidents and I loved seeing my recommendations come to fruition and thereby improving safety in the aviation industry. While at Airservices, one highlight was designing and delivering their 5-day applied incident investigation training courses. As an academic, establishing the Work and Organisational Resilience Centre (WORC - and internal consultancy for postgraduate student placements) that was a finalist for the Workplace Excellence Awards is a career highlight, maybe more so that receiving a Deans Commendation for Teaching Excellence in 2018.

What courses will you be teaching at Griffith Aviation?
In Trimester 3, I am convening 3535NSC Rotary Wing Operations. I am also the Program Director for the Bachelor of Aviation.

What are you most looking forward to at Griffith Aviation?
I am really looking forward to utilising my industry experience to bring applied examples to the classes I deliver. I am also enjoying getting involved in some aviation research projects, including ARC grant with The University of Queensland and Boeing investigating RPAS operations.

Any tips or advice for students?
Self-care is really important, so taking the time to 'sharpen your axe' so that you can dedicate the time to your studies and manage study as well as your other commitments. Part of this is acknowledging the time you actually need to dedicate to your studies and consciously making that commitment. 

H.C. Brinsmead Scholarship winner announced

Congratulations to Griffith University Bachelor of Aviation student Chace Eldridge who has been awarded the inaugural H.C. Brinsmead Scholarship, funded by Archerfield Airport Corporation (AAC).

This scholarship honours the pioneering work of Horace Brinsmead, who led what became Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) after World War 1. This scholarship is open to Griffith University Bachelor of Aviation and Bachelor of Aviation Management students. Read more about Chace's award here.

Where are our students now?  Oscar Soi

Oscar always knew he wanted to be a pilot from when he was a toddler.  He was fortunate enough to get into the Griffith University Bachelor of Aviation program for his tertiary study to help him achieve his goal of becoming an airline pilot.  Oscar completed his CPL training in 2010 and went back to his home country of Kenya to look for his first flying job.  Read more about Oscar's story on STEM @ Griffith here.

News, stories and more

​Do you have a story, an event, publications or information you want to share that will interest our members? Please email GriffithAviation@griffith.edu.au. Your article should be approx. 500 words and please include a photograph (content may be edited).