If you've spent much time at the flying school, you're bound to have come across Ree Adams.  She's a regular at our study group and a qualified RPC holder, working on her cross-country endorsement. Ree's been a volunteer at a number of our events including our airshow and will be at Avalon as a volly there too.

What makes her tick? We took a few moments to ask a few questions.

So, Ree, what makes you want to volunteer to be part of airshows?

I love aircraft and being up and close to them is really special.  It's a great opportunity to get behind the scenes and see how everything fits together, meet and get to know some of the pilots and be part of a team bringing the aviation experience to everyone.

Do you have any particular things that you find interesting or rewarding?

I find it fascinating talking with the pilots and learning about their unique pathways to their current situations.  It's also really special to hear and then be able to share their experience - Pilots love to open the hanger doors the minute they get the chance to.

What does being part of airshows do to help you with your own flying?

The biggest thing is learning from the experiences that a big and diverse group of aviators are only too willing to share.  It's not just the success stories, I learn a lot from the "failures" as well.  We learn a lot from our mistakes and I get a lot from hearing about how other pilots have struggled at times and how they overcame their difficulties.  No-one is born to fly, we all have challenges and hearing about how the best have been there and mucked up, helps a lot!

Have you met anyone that you found particularly inspiring?

I met Judy Riddel, who was a female pilot years ahead of her time, she shared her experience starting off in the 1960's having to accept all sorts of grubby jobs because some flying is better than no flying (nothing's changed there, Ree!) to get started.  Up to her elbows in grease and aircraft bits on remote charters when there wasn't much help.  What a great, brave and amazing pilot she was!

Do you find that being part of the volunteer team helps you in ways outside of directly flying?

It's a cliche', but I've met heaps of people that have broadened my circle of friends and provided a real community spirit.  All working towards a common goal, it's as much about putting in to a show as it is that which you get out of it that makes it so rewarding.

How did you get started with volunteering both for the LFS show, and the Big One (Avalon)?

For Lilydale's show, I've always loved being a volunteer in community activities and the airshow at Lilydale was a great chance to put in and help build up the event, getting more people involved in the things I love and find so enjoyable, and also get pushed a bit outside my comfort zone.  When a note appeared on the LFS desk asking for vollies, I jumped at the chance!

For Avalon, the people I've met at LFS have been vollies at Avalon in the past, and I just asked them how they got involved.  30 seconds later ... and I'm enrolled as a vollie, I'll be handing out uniforms and doing ID authentication for other volunteer team members.  I'll get to meet just about everyone!

Thank you Ree, and we'll be looking out for you at Avalon in a couple of weeks!

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