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Looking for Fly operator training

Wed, 9 June 2010, 10:27 am
totd5 posts in thread
Hi, My amateur theatre group (AWTCo) is looking for some training/courses to get some of our members certified to operate a fly system. I’m interested in peoples’ recommended trainers/institutions and/or direct offers from trainers. I’m also interested in any tips or guidance from people/groups who have “been there, done that” with fly system training. Basically, I have no idea where to look or who to ask. There are a number of other groups in Albury that are also interested in training, so we could probably organise transport, accommodation, etc. for someone to come to Albury-Wodonga and run training for us. This would be our preferred option as the shows we do that require qualified fly operators are all in the one venue (The Albury Entertainment Centre/ACPAC/Civic Theatre) which uses a double purchase fly system. The alternative is for us to travel to a training venue, possibly in the greater Melbourne area. I’m not sure how the cross-border legislation works. We’re physically in NSW, but much closer to Melbourne than Sydney (ie. 4 hrs to Melb, 8hrs to Syd by car), hence we’re looking at Victorian training. I do not know what certifications are available but the following are our requirements for a course: · We must be able to operate equipment in NSW · Work with a manual double-purchase fly system · Be qualified to fly sets during a live performance · Optional – load and operate out of weight fly system* *The principle venue we want to work in provides a tech who would still take care of loading the system, particularly loading from the gallery which requires elevated work permits, etc… We’re just interested in enough to be able to fly sets in and out during a performance.

Thread (5 posts)

totdWed, 9 June 2010, 10:27 am
Hi, My amateur theatre group (AWTCo) is looking for some training/courses to get some of our members certified to operate a fly system. I’m interested in peoples’ recommended trainers/institutions and/or direct offers from trainers. I’m also interested in any tips or guidance from people/groups who have “been there, done that” with fly system training. Basically, I have no idea where to look or who to ask. There are a number of other groups in Albury that are also interested in training, so we could probably organise transport, accommodation, etc. for someone to come to Albury-Wodonga and run training for us. This would be our preferred option as the shows we do that require qualified fly operators are all in the one venue (The Albury Entertainment Centre/ACPAC/Civic Theatre) which uses a double purchase fly system. The alternative is for us to travel to a training venue, possibly in the greater Melbourne area. I’m not sure how the cross-border legislation works. We’re physically in NSW, but much closer to Melbourne than Sydney (ie. 4 hrs to Melb, 8hrs to Syd by car), hence we’re looking at Victorian training. I do not know what certifications are available but the following are our requirements for a course: · We must be able to operate equipment in NSW · Work with a manual double-purchase fly system · Be qualified to fly sets during a live performance · Optional – load and operate out of weight fly system* *The principle venue we want to work in provides a tech who would still take care of loading the system, particularly loading from the gallery which requires elevated work permits, etc… We’re just interested in enough to be able to fly sets in and out during a performance.
NaWed, 9 June 2010, 02:46 pm

Try visiting

Try visiting www.alia.com.au. They will have info on flying/rigging courses. (Or the magazine, CX: http://www.juliusmedia.com/. I believe their parent company also runs courses) I believe Showtech also does the occasional course. Anyone at the ALIA forums would have a better idea of appropriate permitting across borders. Your source for handmade shadow puppets at Puppets in Melbourne
RapunzelSat, 12 June 2010, 01:25 pm

This is probably obvious

This is probably obvious but I'm a little surprised the venue's tech staff couldn't help or at least advise you. After all, they must have been trained at some point, albeit probably as part of a larger theatre tech training course or certification. Perhaps the various institutions that trained them might offer short courses? The even more obvious solution would be if one of them was qualified to run the training for you...although that is rarer. Just putting those thoughts out there, I'm sure you've already thought of them ? ;) "Life is too short to stuff a mushroom"
totdSun, 20 June 2010, 10:07 am

What I've found

Thankyou for your suggestions. The Tech coordinator at the theatre pointed me to Showtech. I've missed their May training, but they're (I guess) trying to make up numbers for their next course. Date should be announced soon. The only catch with Showtech is they charge per-head... full stop. We were hoping to get a flat fee so that we can divide the cost among a few different groups and bring the price down for everyone. Their site is: http://www.showtechtraining.com.au/ Oh and the certification courses give you a Federal WorkCover licence. At least now I know what courses to be asking about.
NaTue, 29 June 2010, 07:10 am

The issue is that most tech

The issue is that most tech staff are not trained in fly systems. 'Rigging' is quite different to 'lighting rigging', and you have to be certified in rigging (or is it dogging or some such?) to do it. Your average tech might not have that certification, and it's in fact quite expensive to get certified and stay that way.
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