Clark Tidman’s career in aviation isn’t your typical story. There was no staring up at planes passing overhead as a boy, there was no emphatic draw to all things flying and there was no single-minded plan in place to work in the aviation industry.
In fact, it was quite the opposite. Aviation found Clark.
A reasonable student – but in his own words ‘with no clear direction’ – it was a random phone call with a friend following a gap year after high school that provided an opportunity.
‘It was the ideal situation,’ says Clark.
‘At the time my mate was working for Broome Air Maintenance in Western Australia’s Kimberley region and they were looking to put on an apprentice.
‘Back then, I didn’t even know planes required maintenance. I only knew that they flew,’ he laughs.
‘I was always good working with my hands and decided to give it a go. Now I love it and haven’t looked back.’
After finishing his apprenticeship and meeting his now wife, the pair went to England for a couple of years.
‘The experience was good but I couldn’t land work in the aviation industry over there so ended up working in a café,’ says Clark.
‘That made me realise I needed to gain more experience and become a licensed aviation maintenance engineer (LAME) to secure greater opportunities.’
Upon returning to Australia at the end of the COVID pandemic and juggling various AME contract roles, it was another worldly experience that led Clark back to aviation full time.
‘I also had jobs in landscaping and construction,’ he says.
‘I ended up laying limestone blocks in regional Western Australia. That was not fun!
‘It made me appreciate the opportunity I had in aviation because a bad day in the hangar is far better than a good day digging holes in 45-degree heat. I was very fit though.
‘But enough was enough as I was working away from my wife and I needed a change. By chance, a few phone calls later and a long story short, we moved back to Broome where I eventually landed my current full-time role with Aviair in 2021.’
Loving life
After settling back in Broome and with consistent work, Clark and his wife have added two young daughters to round out their family.
‘We love the Kimberley lifestyle,’ says Clark.
‘In a past life, Friday nights were spent at the pub over a few beers but now I’m changing nappies.
‘It’s the simple things. We enjoy sunset dinners on the beach, camping and fishing, and like everyone does in Australia, putting the sprinkler under the trampoline for the kids to cool down.
‘In all fairness, I think it’s my wife who loves Broome more than I do. The warmth and change of seasons certainly beat an English winter so I don’t think I’ll ever get her out of here, and it really is a great place to raise a family.’
Time to knuckle down
Now entrenched in the aviation industry and with a growing family, Clark applied for the 2024 AME scholarship to help with the financial commitment of furthering his career.
‘Broome, like most regional places, exposes you to such a great variety of work,’ Clark says.
‘On any given day I could be working on Beechcraft Barrons, King Air B200s, PC12s or Cessna Caravans – it’s such a diverse fleet and no two aircraft are the same.
‘Because of that variety, the priority is to put the grant towards completing a PT6 course to upskill my knowledge of engines.
‘However, one thing that the wet season in the Kimberley has taught me is that aircraft electronics and buckets of rainfall don’t mix, so we’re always trouble shooting.
‘Another course I have my eye on is a B2 avionics course as I’ve always had an interest in how electrics work. In a perfect world it would be great to complete both with the assistance of the grant.
‘I love aviation now and I don’t think you could tough it out if you didn’t. There’s always something to do and you’re always learning, which I enjoy.
‘I’m on this path now so I’m just going to go for it. I’m surrounded by a great team at Aviair and I’m eager to learn and push myself as well as guide the upcoming apprentices.
‘Winning the scholarship is a game changer for my family so I’m dedicated to taking a step forward and progressing my career.’
