Travis had long planned to become a pilot, having been attracted by a keen interest in aircraft and a love for being in the sky. He started flying lessons when he was only fifteen. After serving as school captain in Year 12 at our Drouin Campus in 2007, Travis successfully obtained a place at Swinburne University of Technology to study for a Bachelor of Technology (Aviation).
Having already obtained his Private Pilot’s Licence at the Royal Victorian Aero Club, Travis also completed his Aerobatics Rating and Night Rating at Oxford Aviation Academy in 2008. The following year, he added a Commercial Pilot’s Licence and Instrument Rating to his qualifications.
In 2010, Travis completed his Flight Instructor’s Rating at Moorabbin Flying Services, commenced working as a full time Flight Instructor in RMIT University’s aviation program, and graduated from Swinburne. In the following two years at RMIT, Travis became a specialist Aerobatics Instructor and worked to develop their Associate Degree program.
During these years of study and work, Travis became engaged to Beth and they were married in 2012. They had been family friends when they were younger and then became reconnected through church.
In 2012, Travis and Beth moved to Alice Springs where Travis began working with Chartair, a government/corporate charter company with about 150 employees. He also completed his Training and Check approval with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and achieved his Air Transport Pilot’s Licence.
Travis had served as a youth leader at church after finishing Year 12 and was also mentored as a small group leader. Upon relocating to the Northern Territory, he began youth leadership at Alice Springs Baptist Church. In 2013, Travis began being mentored to preach and now does so on a monthly basis, as well as leading a young adult Bible study group and being involved in youth ministry.
In relation to living in Alice Springs, Travis says, ‘We find ourselves in the middle of a cultural battlefield and see things that many Australians would struggle to believe existed in this country. We have connected with Alice Springs Baptist Church, which has a congregation of about 400 each week. We moved to Alice Springs with the intention of being as useful as possible to the church, community and workplace. We have tried to serve God in all that we do here.’
November 2015
Chairo is committed to helping prepare students to make a positive difference in the world. Read about just a few of the many young men and women who have attended Chairo over the years.
Kirsten Bryant: Kirsten is teaching in a multi-cultural primary school.
Travis Waterhouse: Travis is flying for a charter company in Alice Springs.
Hannah Cleal: Hannah is studying to be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti: Anthony is playing AFL football for Essendon.