Paper Pilots

Paper Pilots: Making science fun, one paper plane at a time

Dylan Parker & James Norton

A passion for paper planes, darts and all things aeronautic was the chance beginning of a friendship that would lead two men to inspire generations of kids to dream big.

Having met at a paper plane competition in Canberra in 2008, Dylan Parker and James Norton immediately hit it off. They stayed in touch with each other and would end up competing at the National Paper Plane Championships, both winning in their categories and earning them a ticket to the World Championships in Austria in 2009.

“Representing Australia alongside 85 other countries and with thousands and media and supporters watching was an amazing experience. It was also the start of our incredible journey with paper planes which, after 12 years, continues to surprise us.”

Dylan managed a 3rd place winning a bronze medal, and a massive wave of accomplishment considering what he had been through, having only just

Credit images - Paper Pilots

recovered from surgery for a brain tumour.

Upon their return to Australia, things literally started to take off for the two, receiving a lot of media attention, a growing fanbase and increased requests for classroom visits to talk on and demonstrate the amazing world of paper planes. The wave of excitement was bigger than James and Dylan could ever have imagined and the educational value of paper planes dawned on them quickly.

“It started with a teacher friend inviting us into her classroom. We expected the kids to have fun, but we were surprised that they were also interested in learning about the science of flight. There are so many elements to paper planes that are critical to science education and problem solving. We thought, this could be more than just a hobby for us”.

Paper Pilots was soon born and since then, it’s been an incredible and fulfilling journey for James and Dylan. Paper Pilots has featured in two episodes of Australian Story, toured internationally, filled stadiums and libraries with thousands of screaming children in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and been involved in international projects with DFAT in India, Pakistan, Argentina and Bhutan. They were also the inspiration behind an Aussie feature film – PAPER PLANES – which tells the story about a young boy who dreams of competing in the World Paper Plane Championships in Japan.

Dylan and James have been building educational programs and experiences aimed at helping teachers bring STEM fundamentals to life and for students to ask “how do things fly?” Paper plane throwing can be used as a powerful educational tool to achieve outcomes in the Australian school curriculums throughout primary and secondary schools, exploring handson examples of geometry, symmetry and how shapes fit together.

The program is also a great resource for adults to brush up on fundamentals

to create fun experiences for children around: • Forces — Lift, drag, thrust, gravity, contact and non-contact forces. • Flight in Nature — Adaptations, evolutionary flight traits and biomimicry. • Experiments and observations —

Collect data and detect patterns in results.

As Australia celebrates its second century of flight, inspiring young people about aviation and STEM has never been more important.

“It is predicted that future careers will rely heavily on science, maths and critical thinking skills. For many kids, something simple like paper planes is a powerful and fun introduction to these complex subjects. Our Flight School program provides curriculumaligned STEM activities that encourage learning and promote innovation and creative problem solving.”

James and Dylan are excited to be partnering with The Royal Australian Air Force in their centenary year to conduct community engagement events.

In addition to physical events, Dylan and James have put together some exciting online resources, designed for teachers and students. This means everyone can join in the spirit of the Air Force Centenary, even if they can’t go to an event – airforce2021.airforce.

gov.au/paper-pilots

While Covid-19 has impacted their ability to go to some events this year, they have enjoyed running Covid-safe ‘Science of Flight’ workshops with young people in Perth, Broome and Temora NSW. They also accompanied Air Force to Horn Island in the Torres Strait to conduct community engagement activities. Their engagement with Air Force’s Centenary program is designed to: • Honour the men and women who have served in Air Force in its first 100 years and the sacrifices they have made, • Demonstrate the amazing Air Force capabilities of today, and • Prompt people to consider how

Air Force will continue to evolve in future.

Web resources include Teachers Resource kits for Year 4 and Year 7 students. These programs are aligned with the national STEM curriculum.

There’s also a ‘Flight School Hangar’ where children and parents can access some great paper plane designs and have fun building and flying them.

The Paper Pilots have been attending schools and events since 2008, helping kids discover their niche while sharing the story of their journey to become World Paper Plane Champions.

Many of their life lessons and insights gathered are highly useful and helpful to students and adults and they are both available to speak at events, talks, dinners and conferences as keynote speakers.

Not only this, but their ability to run amazing team building exercises through paper plane throwing adds an extremely memorable element.

Happy flying...!

Spartan to Enhance Response and Engagements

Defence is enhancing support for humanitarian disaster relief, crisis response and regional engagements by redefining the role of the C-27J Spartan aircraft.

The Spartan’s new role will enhance Australia’s humanitarian and emergency response to natural disasters in Australia and our near region, regional engagement across the Indo-Pacific including through Pacific Step-Up, and the Australian Defence Force’s military logistics and air mobility capability.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC, said the Spartan’s capabilities were aligned with Defence’s strategic objectives to shape Australia’s strategic environment, deter actions against our interests and when required, respond with credible military force.

“The Spartan demonstrated its specific capabilities during the 2019/20 Australian bushfire crisis by safely evacuating 2,400 fireaffected community members and resupplying remote communities that were inaccessible by larger aircraft, which included moving 300,000 kilograms of cargo,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“The Spartan conducted these missions at a range that exceeded the ability of Defence helicopters because of its flexibility and the inherent operational characteristics of a light tactical fixed wing aircraft.”

Head of Air Force Capability, Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, AM, CSC, highlighted the Spartan’s contribution to ADF contingency response, and its value in providing assistance to regional neighbours.

“The use of the Spartan on exercises such as Arnhem Thunder and Talisman Sabre to deliver vital stores to expeditionary airbases, showcases its ability to reach remote and austere airbases.

“And it has also recently transported medical supplies and equipment to Port Moresby to assist PNG in the fight against COVID-19; as well as contributed to Australia’s support to regional maritime security and fisheries protection on the high seas through deployments on Operations Resolute and Solania,” Air Vice-Marshal Roberts said.

And more recently at the request of the Fijian Government, the ADF is deploying specialists from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force, to partner with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) to assist in the rebuilding of classrooms and other education infrastructure damaged by Tropical Cyclone Yasa in 2020. On 8 August 21, part of the Construction Engineering Team and equipment were flown from Amberley to Fiji on a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan aircraft of 35 Squadron.

Redefining the role of the Spartan will ensure Defence delivers an airlift capability that meets Australia’s requirements, providing vital support to the nation and our near region.

The Australian Defence Force has a long and proud history of supporting our whole of-government regional assistance efforts, including logistics and specialist support for the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Operation Bushfire Assist 19-20

RAAF Support to Fiji Engineering construction Aug 21

PNG Covid-19 support

Exercise Christmas Hop 20

FINAL HOMESITES NOW SELLING AT POTTER'S LANE

The Hunter Region of NSW is fast becoming a popular lifestyle destination for families. Known for its easy access to local beaches and wineries, it’s an idyllic place to live, work and play. Port Stephens being one LGA which has seen a boom in demand for new housing opportunities and ones which cater to families.

A local favourite, Potter’s Lane at Raymond Terrace has welcomed over 200 new families to the area since launching in 2016 and has set a standard set for residential development within the area, pushing the boundaries in terms of creating more than just blocks of land.

Hunter based property company the McCloy Group are behind the project and have a reputation for creating national award winning masterplanned communities. They have a true passion for developing quality and sustainable environments in which people love to live. Potter’s Lane is a testament to this approach with inclusions such as roads lined with mature street trees, state-of-the-art park and playground onsite for families to enjoy as well as statement art installations. Now in its final stages Potter’s Lane has become known for its affordability, above average block sizes and its convenient location just 15 minutes to local employment opportunities, 20 minutes from the Williamstown RAAF base and 35 minutes to Newcastle.

“The McCloy Group created a warm and inviting community environment. The inclusion of the wonderful playground, beautiful trees and grassed areas at the beginning of the development was one of the main reasons we decided to make this area our home. We would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending the McCloy Group to anyone wishing to build a new home in one of their estates.” Karen Humphris, resident of Potter’s Lane commented.

The Sunset Release, is the final

SHOPS ADELAIDE STREET

IRRAWANG PUBLIC SCHOOL

REES JAMES ROAD PACIFIC HWY

RICHARDSON ROAD

IRRAWANG HIGH SCHOOL GRAHAMSTOWN DAM

NEWCASTLE 20 MINS

RAAF 20 MINS

land release within Potter’s Lane, offering land up to 1200m2. These homesites are arguably some of the best in the community with reserve outlooks, benched options available and a location nearby the park and playground facilities. The land is being sold via negotiation, interested parties are encouraged to get in touch with the Potter’s Lane team for more information and a price guide. Homesites can be secured with just 5% deposit, making accessing the property market more and more affordable especially for young Australians.

“It has been great to see so many young families enter the property market and build their family homes at Potter’s Lane. The housing options here are affordable and residents have enjoyed location here, giving the community the ability to live close to their work without the added complexity that comes with living in the larger CBD areas” commented James Goode, Development Director.

With a changing shift towards open space living, there really has never been a better time to make your move to a brand new community like Potter’s Lane. Builders are offering impressive incentives and there is an array of Government Grants on offer.

When considering Port Stephens for your new home, a tour of the McCloy Communities is a must. Like those living at Potter’s Lane, future residents can expect the highest quality of living environments and dedicated open space for families to enjoy.

If Potter’s Lane is the one for your family, don’t delay. It is anticipated come release of the final homesites they’ll be quickly under deposit. Now is the time to get in touch for further information.

View the land now selling at potters-lane.com.au