About The Ozwegian Observer
The Ozwegian Observer has been around since 2002, although in various forms and under various domain names. The most recent being when I decided to do a major upgrade to the site and acquired a .com suffix. Blogging has long been a hobby, although not always consistently practised.
“..there’s more to flying than wearing sunglasses..”
About the author | the short summary..
Arthur was born in Oslo, the capital of Norway, in the spring of 1985. He grew up in that same city, only to be interrupted by a sabbatical in Sydney after he had graduated lower secondary school. Upon his return he continued his academic pursuits and attained an International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma from Berg Upper Secondary School.
National service was completed with the Royal Norwegian Air Force, serving as a chaplain’s assistant at Ørland Main Air Base until the end of 2006. While attending college, working a full-time job, then later part-time as well as being a board member for a major youth organisation, he studied and flew for his private pilot licence.
The licence was gained in late 2007, and days later he was on his way to the United States. He gained his Commercial pilot licence at North American Institute of Aviation and went on to instruct at Pelican Airways Flight Training Center. At the moment he is undergoing a licence conversion process towards his European commercial pilot qualification.
About the author | the long detailed version..
The various stages of my life have generally been characterised by a connection to an institution of some sort or another. This section takes a closer look at those institutions, the roles played in each of them and their overall influence in my life.
International Baccalaureate
In May 2005, Arthur graduated from Berg Upper Secondary School in Oslo with an International Baccalaureate Bilingual Diploma, with higher level subjects being Norwegian (A1), English (A2) and Modern History (HL). Standard level subjects were Social and Cultural Anthropology, Mathematical Studies and Biology.
His extended essay was on “The ANZAC Spirit as a cultural phenomenon in Australia”, for which he received a Certificate of Appreciation from the Returned & Services League of Australia, as well as a commendation from an Australian senator. The essay was bound and is archived at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.
Arthur believes his International Baccalaureate education helped significantly develop his intellectual abilities and sense of organisation, social duty and interest in world affairs.
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Norwegian Armed Forces retain the practise of conscription. Upon completion of secondary school, Arthur was drafted into the Royal Norwegian Air Force. He completed basic training at the joint Air Force / Navy training center KNM Harald Haarfagre outside Stavanger. While he was there he was also elected as vice conscript’s representative in his troop.
His posting after basic training was as chaplain’s assistant at the Oerland Main Air Base. In addition to his duties in assisting in liturgical ministries and the daily tasks of the chaplain’s office, he also gradually rose from vice conscripts’ representative in his garrison to the garrison representative, and finally main representative on base and regional representative in the Trøndelag military district. During his time in the RNoAF he joined colleagues from the Norwegian Armed Forces for an unforgettable trip on the International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes, France.
Det teologiske Menighetsfakultet
After serving his country in the military, he took up studies at college. The Norwegian School of Theology offered single courses in Catholic theology, which is what he was in a position to manage at the time while working a full-time job, being on the board for a major youth organisation and taking flying lessons. Arthur hopes to continue towards a college degree once he has returned to Norway.
Norges Unge Katolikker
Perhaps the single most significant institution in his development, Arthur is a Roman Catholic and has been active in the Norwegian Catholic Youth Organisation. From camp leader to board member, Arthur has been active in various branches of the organisation. He still maintains the connection by regularly contributing articles to one of the organisation’s youth publications.
In addition to formal duties within the organisation, Arthur has also been active in youth ministry outside of it – having been an altar server and later the master of ceremonies at Norway’s largest Catholic parish for over a decade.
Nedre Romerike Flyklubb
Nedre Romerike Flying Club offered the possibility of getting a taste of aviation by doing both private pilot ground school and flight training close to home, in Norway’s largest flying club. Their reputation is solid and their instructors professional. Maintenance is uncompromised, and their safety culture is amongst the best. Many people have moved on from NRFK to NAIA to continue their flight training – Arthur was one of them. His instructor at NAIA had gone the same route. The time at NRFK was a positive discernment process, and ended in a pilot licence and a definate commitment for the future.
North European Aviation Resources
This flight training organisation based out of Aalesund, Norway is one of Northern Europe’s premier flight training institutions, its history dating back to the Norwegian State Pilot School, they have a reputation for delivering top-notch, high-quality pilot education. Currently enrolled in the ATPL Integrated Course with NEAR, Arthur is well underway to becoming a professional pilot.
North American Institute of Aviation
As the former ab-initio school of Scandinavian Airlines, NAIA is known in Europe as a quality educator of professional pilots – the JAA-approved programme run at the school until its closing in early September 2008 a derivative of the original SAS training scheme, developed specifically for that company’s needs. Both former SAS students and private customers, as well as integrated students with NEAR, have passed through the institute throughout the years. Arthur completed his IR and Commercial Pilot Certificate here.
Pelican Airways Flight Training Center
Pelican Airways was started by a British couple. The company has specialised in aeroplane and helicopter flight training. NEAR moved their flight training in the US down to Pelican in Florida after their original partner NAIA closed down. Those students who were doing their programme at NAIA were transfered to Pelican, yours truly included. The company has a long tradition for educating European students. Arthur gained his CFI and CFII certificates here as well as his multi-engine rating.
North European Institute of Aviation replaced NEAR in 2009 and continued the previous flight training operation until its demise in February 2010. This is the school at which Arthur is formally graduating, although the last part of the programme will be carried out at Rørosfly.
