The best job in the world

Soaring over McLaren Vale —— Pilot Paul Beck of scenic-flight company Helivista reckons his chopper is the greatest office anywhere.

What makes your job the best?

The incredible natural beauty of this part of South Australia. McLaren Vale is always lush – no matter the season. And right next to it you have the Fleurieu Peninsula, with striking blue water and blinding white sand. It’s one thing to look at it when you’re on the ground but a completely different experience when you see it from above. The juxtaposition of the greens and blues and whites is spellbinding.

What does a typical day look like for you?

The great thing about my job is there’s no such thing as a typical day. I can do the same flight five times a day and every one will be different because the weather, the timing and the people are always changing.

What’s your favourite time to fly?

Late afternoon, when the sun is setting over the ocean and drenches the whole landscape in golden colours.

Is there a flight you’ll never forget?

I was flying this couple and the guy popped the question. He’d asked the girl’s family to write “Will you marry me?” in the sand in big letters. As we flew low above the beach and she read the letters, he pulled out the ring and she started bawling her eyes out. It was a spectacular success.

And is there a flight you’d never want to do again?

When I flew above the Kangaroo Island bushfires last year. The extent of devastation was tragic. The island looked like a desolate moon surface – you could smell the ash. But even at that heartbreaking moment I knew that nature and the Kangaroo Island spirit would recover. And they have. The island has regenerated quite quickly – it looks green again. Mother Nature is amazing.