The Aerial Patrol was formed in 1957 following mounting concerns by Life Savers of shark activities at beaches in the Illawarra. The Patrol’s charter, to maintain the safety and the welfare of the community through aerial observation and support. And to this day forms the basis for which all operations and activities are conducted.

The Aerial Patrol undertakes a variety of functions from the Beach Patrols each summer through to the highest level of Search and Rescue within Australia. The Aerial Patrol is available for response to emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with a response time of 30 minutes.

Pilot Training

Aerial Patrol's commercial sponsor, NSW AIR, provides pilot training to a wide variety of people. The training school caters for many training levels, from private and recreational students to those aspiring to be in command of jet airliners. Training can be conducted part time or full time, at a pace that suits the trainee. Finance packages are available to approved students to provide smooth and faster transition toward preferred rating qualification.

NSW Air is able to provide the Aerial Patrol with commercially trained pilots who have specifically trained in syllabus modules designed to parallel the specialised fields of the Aerial Patrol operations.

The Aerial Patrol is able to offer pilots opportunities to engage in specialised flying oerations, at no cost, in exchange only for their time.