IMAGINE flying to Margaret River for lunch or Coral Bay for the weekend.
This is the luxury lifestyle enjoyed by Doctor Andrew Dean who owns and pilots a Cirrus G6.
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READ NOWWhile the high-flyer way of life might seem indulgent, Dr Dean’s reasons for owning a private plane are ultimately altruistic.
An oncologist at St John of God Hospital, Dr Dean flies the Cirrus to treat cancer patients throughout rural WA.
“We’ve done medical visits to Kalgoorlie, Albany and Bunbury,” he said.
“I have a regular clinic in Geraldton where I see up to 40 patients each week.”
He also flies interstate, such as the Gold Coast and Adelaide, to attend work conferences.
Dr Dean said flying his own plane was a lot more time efficient, flexible and reliable than using commercial airlines.
He said the Cirrus G6 was perfect for his needs because not only did it look great, but the whole aircraft was constructed around a culture of safety.
“The aircraft itself is built around a rollcage,” he said.
“There is a built-in parachute that brings the whole plane down in the event of an in-flight emergency.”
Private plane ownership is becoming popular, particularly in WA which is plagued by the tyranny of distance.
There are 200 Cirrus in Australia and 14 in WA.
Cirrus Aircraft Australia can help aviation enthusiasts get their pilot’s licence or find a private pilot.
Dr Dean has had his pilot’s licence for 10 years. When he picked up his Cirrus G6, he did a three-day course to familiarise himself with the state-of-the-art features.
The Cirrus G6 SR22 Turbo will be on display at Busselton Aero Club on August 9, Bunbury Aero Club on August 10 and Major Blue Air, Jandakot on August 11. For more details visit Cirrus tour.