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Central Eagle Aviation – a Big Story and Proud Heritage
Central Eagle Aviation was founded in 2010 by Louise (Lou) Oldfield who was the sole Birdsville Pilot in 2009. Lou grew up on a farm in the Western District of Victoria, farming sheep, cattle, horses, cropping and dairy. Her family on both sides have had a long association with Aviation; her Grandfather, Harold Bamberg founding Eagle Aviation in Britain after World War II in 1947, which later became British Eagle International Airlines, and her Uncle who operated his own aircraft as a private pilot for many years alongside farming in Western Victoria.
Following 6 years of Boarding School Lou completed a Degree in Bachelor of Technology (Aviation) at Swinburne University of Technology & Engineering, where she also graduated with a Commercial Pilots Licence and Frozen Air Transport Pilots Licence. She went on to work for The Helicopter Group at Moorabbin Airport in Administration. From there she continued to fly with Geelong Aviation alongside farming for family company Glenthompson Pastoral Company at Dunkeld in Western Victoria. She completed her Instrument Rating and Twin Endorsement at Essendon Airport and went on to work for Australasian Jet flying out of Birdsville, Mackay and Alice Springs where she developed a great love and appreciation for the Australian Bush, it's history, landscapes, wildlife and people.
During the 2009 season in Birdsville Lou met her now husband, Clayton Oldfield, manager of 'Pandie Pandie' Station, 1.6 million acres south of Birdsville on the Birdsville Track. Clayton and his family drove cattle and owned stations along the Birdsville Track, Lake Eyre, the Cooper Creek and throughout the Northern Territory for four generations. In returning to Birdsville in 2010, Lou decided to set up her own outback air charter operation. It only seemed fitting to Lou that she revive the Eagle name her Grandfather, Harold had for so long built until 1970 when it was crushed under the socialist government who refused the revocation of a licence in a bid to monopolise the industry. Harold started Eagle flying a variety of operations. He delivered fruit throughout Europe following World War II, flew in the Berlin Airlift and went on to participate in a great number of para-military operations including the Woomera Rocket Range and Christmas Island in the Pacific for the nuclear deterrent. The Airline grew to become one of the major International Airlines of its time with an extensive network of Civilian Charter and Scheduled Services Internationally. Harold was the first to put meals on aircraft, was the creator of the package holiday business and also operated as the sole distributor for Beechcraft and the Nomad throughout Europe. Harold continues to live in England today.
Lou has a great passion for flying in the Bush; it has allowed her to combine her passion for Farming and Flying, and providing Birdsville Scenic Flights and Lake Eyre Scenic Flights in a very special place located between two great deserts, on the Diamantina River and in the heart of the Channel Country. It is her love of the country and aviation that she enjoys sharing with her passengers. “I want them to really see the country out here, and how beautiful it is from the air. I want my passengers to enjoy it as I do, to see how the rivers meander through the deserts, see the birdlife, cattle, the odd camel, brumbies, the remoteness of Station life, the wildflowers, the colours, it really is spectacular”.
“It is going to be another incredible year, please come and enjoy”.
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Birdsville Scenic Flights 
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Goyder Lagoon Scenic Flights Sturt Stony Desert Scenic Flights Big Red Scenic Flights Clayton Station Scenic Flights
William Creek Scenic Flights Bilpa Morea Scenic Flights Utopia Scenic Flights Delmore Downs Scenic Flights
Lake Machatte Scenic Flights Strzelecki Desert Scenic Flights Innamincka Scenic Flights Coongie Lakes Scenic Flights
Poeppel Corner Scenic Flights Bourke & Wills Dig Tree Longreach Scenic Flights