Janine Hayes the Chief Instructor and Ken Hills one of the Tandem Masters are a husband and wife team, highly qualified in the field of Instruction and Sport Skydiving. Both have represented Australia Internationally not only winning medals in World & International competitions but also receiving the 2000 Australian Sports Medal for their contribution to Skydiving in Australia. www.apf.asn.au/registeraward.aspx
Janine wrote a poem about parachuting when she was 13 years old and since September 1981 having started at Labertouche in Victoria under Claude Gillard has completed over 3500 skydives.
Janine as Chief Instructor of Aerial Skydives is committed to the highest safety standards and enjoys nothing more than sharing her passion about skydiving.
An Australian Team representative Janine has skydived around the world and still holds the Australian Women’s Accuracy Championship title.
Janine wears many hats, wife, mother, friend, organiser and skydiving camera person. Janine spent many years on the Australian Parachute Federation Board and currently holds a valued position on the Latrobe City Tourism Advisory Board.
A dedicated Instructor since 1985, Janine established Aerial Skydives at Latrobe Regional Airport to give others the opportunity to experience the thrill and exhilaration of freefall skydiving as well as the chance to see how spectacular the Valley is from the air.
A qualified pilot, Janine recently enjoyed the challenge and adventure of taking delivery of their new aircraft in Alice Springs and flying it back to the Latrobe Valley with her husband Ken.
Janine is totally committed to her love of skydiving. It is her passion, her business, was her hobby but is now her career.
Ken started jumping in August 1970 and was a competitor at the 1st World Meet in New Zealand in 1972. His experience and enthusiasm speak for itself and Ken is a pivotal team member of Aerial Skydives.
Ken was a member of the Australian Parachute Team in 1974 which won a Silver medal at the World Parachuting Championships in a 10 man speed star team. “Joint Effort”
Ken then worked at a variety of Drop Zones in the USA and returned to Australia in 1983 where he introduced the Accelerated Freefall Program (AFF) at the National Championships in Corowa with Tony Edwards and Paul Osborne. This is one of the primary methods of Instruction for student training in Australia.
Ken continued to live in the USA working in his own Drop Zones until finally returning to Australia where he was Coach and Captain of the 1st Gold Medallists an Australian 8 Way Canopy Formation Team in 1988.
Ken met and married Janine who renewed his interest in Skydiving which at the time had been pushed aside with his passion for golf. Still a keen golfer and an even keener aviator Ken is dedicated to making sure your Skydiving experience is conducted with safety as the first priority.
Ken was thrilled to make it a family affair in 2005 when he skydived with daughter Sionainn. Sionainns remarks after landing
Ill never give you and Mum a hard time again about skydiving.
Warren began skydiving at Redcourt in 1993 under the tuition of the famous Steve Smedley. A conscientious operator Steve was responsible for guiding many young skydivers through the sport.
Warren obtained his Instructor rating in 1996 and his Tandem rating in 1998. Warren skydives number 2000+ with over 500+ Tandem skydives.
Warren now the father of 2 boys just loves to get airborne when he gets the chance and what's more loves taking you for your first skydive. Warren's calm and friendly manner instills confidence in all his Tandem students ensuring that you enjoy the thrill and excitment of the moment knowing that you are attached to an expert Instructor.
Gerard is the most passionate aviator that anyone could meet. His father introduced him to flying and skydiving and while he went solo at 15 years of age he spends more time than most elevated above the planet.
Gerard has accrued in excess of 8500 hours flying with 4000 agriculture flying which is all low level so he definitely gets a birds eye view of life.
A flying Instructor, Agricultural pilot, aviator, skydiver and aircraft engineer Gerards experience is second to none.
Gerard recently obtained his Tandem rating and while in the past has been a valuable asset as the main Pilot for Aerial Skydives, the opportunity to use his Tandem skills will be just as valuable. When I asked what his favourite aircraft was? Gerard replied, The one Im flying in at the time.
Russell is a dedicated aviator. He began flying in 2004.
He has diligently been Aerial Skydives Ground Crew for the past couple of years and we hope that he will be soon piloting our new plane. Russell lives and works locally and can be found most Saturdays running around the airfield looking after Latrobe Valley Aero Club members or any other visitors to the airport.
Latrobe Valley Aero Club is an integral part of the Aerial Skydives Team. We can always rely on staff to assist with ground operations or with Piloting the aircraft. The famous Saturday BBQ is worth dropping in for - www.latrobevalleyaeroclub.com.au
Gippsland Aeronautics the manufacturer of the GA8 is also a great supporter of Aerial Skydives. The opportunity to promote skydiving through the use of the GA8 has been greatly appreciated and we congratulate them on the recent production of the 100th GA8. - www.gippsaero.com
Member of the Australian Parachute Federation
Winner Adventure Tourism Gippsland Tourism Awards 2007
