New South Wales State Aviation School

NSWSAS

History of the State Aviation School : Ham Common was established as a flying ground pre-war when one of the great Australian aviation pioneers, William Hart, used Ham Common as a flying ground for his designs. The flying ground supported other pioneer aviation ventures until the NSW Government purchased the land for the State Aviation School.

People of the NSWSAS

Students of the State Aviation School : There are 78 known students that went through the six aviation courses between 1916 and 1919 with possibly more. Many of the students joined the Australian Flying Corps and once the AFC could take no more, many on their own initiative sailed for England or Egypt and joined the Royal Flying Corps or Royal Air Force. The list published here represents the research work of Neville Hayes.

Instructors of the State Aviation School : There were four instructors for the State Aviation School in the period 1916 to 1919. Two Instructors, Billy Stutt and Andrew Lang returned from England to instruct. The school also trained two Instructors, David Williams and Henry Murray.

Ground Crew of the State Aviation School : The New South Wales Aviation School employed a permanent support staff to maintain the aircraft and the other technical matters of the State Aviation School.

Aircraft of the State Aviation School : The was unable to guarantee supply from Europe for training aircraft due to the British and French needs, the NSW State Aviation School procured their training aircraft from existing aircraft in Australia, Australian built replica's and training aircraft procured from America.