Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2008/The flight from SNAPS to NAPS
By CMDR Greg Tindall
The innovative and highly successful HMAS Albatross work experience program titled ‘Shoalhaven Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme’ (SNAPS) has been renamed to the ‘Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme’ or ‘NAPS’.
Don’t think the NAPS team under the management of LCDR Daryl Robinson are about to fall asleep though. On the contrary - the program has become so popular a significant number of activities associated with it are now conducted outside the Shoalhaven region.
These include school visits to the Illawarra and Southern Highlands regions. But perhaps the biggest commitment is now associated with support to major public relations opportunities such as the Clipsal 500 V8 Supercar race in Adelaide.
NAPS still supports core work experience activities at HMAS Albatross with more than 450 Shoalhaven students expected to undertake a NAPS activity on base in 2008. A new and enthusiastic addition to the NAPS team is LSPT Danielle Claridge who brings a wealth of experience instructing adventure and team building activities.
The flight emulator units have proven a major drawcard to the general public in promoting careers in the Navy. Typically, the emulators are co-located with Defence Force Recruiting to maximise the effectiveness of the stall and ensure interested people are provided with information on prospective career paths.
“Where else can someone experience naval aviation free of charge under the tutorship of professional aviators and aircraft technicians? With over 7000 members of the public having sampled the controls of an emulator at major PR events, I have no doubt about the positive recruitment prospects associated with such activities,” LCDR Robinson said.
Of course, the team have no intention of resting on their laurels or falling asleep at the helm. Instead of ‘SNAPS-ING’ into action, the team is currently investigating a virtual reality helicopter marshalling system to encourage members of the public to consider a career as an aircraft technician.
Coordinator of NAPS, LEUT Richard Foster is excited about the title change.
“The program is dynamic and has evolved to meet public demand so the name change to NAPS is overdue,” he said. “ In the competitive job market, the ADF must keep pace with industry and ensure that military careers are presented in an exciting and relevant manner, in particular careers in the Fleet Air Arm.”
For further details contact LCDR Daryl Robinson on 02 44241945 or daryl.robinson1@defence.gov.au or LEUT Richard Foster on 02 4424 3149 richard.foster@defence.gov.au.
