About True Blue Aviation - Brett Mitchell

My name is Brett Mitchell, I am happily married with three children, a mortgage, and a dog to complete the picture. I am the owner of True Blue Aviation.

This website is about me sharing my Recreational Aviation experiences and knowledge with you.

I started flying in 1990 at Berwick (Casey Airfield) and completed my Private Pilots Licence at Tooradin. I enjoyed flying Tomahawks, Warriors, Archers, Cessna 172, Beechcraft Sierra, Sirrus, and the Gippsland Airvan. Back in 2001, I decided to opt for a  cheaper source of flying and a friend of mine introduced me to ultralights. I started off flying Thrusters and Skyfox's.

I am now an avid fan of recreational flying. I love the concept and I believe it gives anyone interested in flying the opportunity to learn. I have great respect for the work that RA-Aus is doing to promote flight training and safety. I have been to the Ra-Aus office on a couple of occasions now to complete some of their courses. e.g ASAF-GPPP Course and Accident Investigation Course ( I hope I am never asked!)

I completed my RAA/AUF Instructor course and began instructing in Jabiru's at Tooradin. Within a couple of years I became the CFI. I had the good fortune to work closely with Ray Hill, Laurie Jones, and Mick Poole.

My favourite recreational plane is the Jabiru. They are structually sound and economical - not to mention made in Australia. I have been to the Bundaburg Jabiru factory 7 times now, and flown different types of Jabiru's back to Melbourne, including an LSA, J160 and J230. I like flying the Jabiru and find that it is a great training aircraft. The plane is challenging to start with but it gives you a good feel not only of primary effects, but it will teach you to have a good understanding of secondary and further effects. I now have over 2500 hours experience flying and teaching in the Jabiru.

Since Feb ''07 Lilydale airport was my home of flying and I enjoyed my role as a Recreational Aviation CFI. I love flying Recreational aircraft and enjoy teaching people to do the same.

Currently I am working part time as an assistant operations manager for Recreational Aviation Australia. I enjoy meeting CFI's and RA-Aus members from all around Australia.

I am also busy conducting Tailwheel, Low performance and 2 stroke Endorsements using a Thruster T500 out of the Tooradin airfield. I provide instructor ratings and instructor renewals for pilots and instructors, and I am continuing to provide the popular Human Factors Courses for both students and pilots. Human factors is such an important component of flying.