(L-R) PLTOFF Findlay, PLTOFF Jeffery, OFFCDT Tobin, FLTLT McBurnie, PLTOFF Laves, OFFCDT Young, PLTOFF Bowen and OFFCDT McAskill. Members of his class shoulder their instructor of the year at 2FTS.

Feeling just as comfortable in a PC-9 aircraft as he is playing in his band 'Something's Burning,' Flight Lieutenant Chris 'Poonie' McBurnie has become the latest recipient of the No. 2 Flying Training School Instructor of the Year Award.

He received an engraved pewter mug and his name will be added to the honour board at 2FTS.

'I'm very proud to receive the award and somewhat humbled to be included in the list of previous award recipients,' said FLTLT McBurnie.

The award was inaugurated in 1978 to recognise outstanding contributions made by a Qualified Flying Instructor to pilot training at 2FTS.

Sir Fred Chaney (President of the Ex-QFI Association) and Wing Commander 'Noddy' Sawade, Commanding Officer 2FTS, were present to congratulate FLTLT McBurnie as this year's winner, along with members of the Ex-QFI Association and 2FTS.

'The Ex-QFI Association is an amazing group of men who collectively have some incredible experiences', said FLTLT McBurnie.

Born and raised in Newcastle, Chris joined the RAAF in 1991 completing a Bachelor of Science Degree at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 1993. He graduated from No. 166 pilots course in 1995 and was posted to 37 Squadron to fly the C130E.

Departing 37SQN in 1999 with over 2000 hours and a C cat captain on the C-130, he completed the Flying Instructors Course at CFS and was subsequently posted to 2FTS.

When asked about his tour at 2FTS, where he has clocked up over 460 hrs as a QFI, he said that it was a great job. 'I've learnt as much about my own flying in the last two years as a QFI as at any other time,' he said. 'The students are under pressure and working probably as hard as they ever have, and they have a level of unpredictability which keeps life interesting.'

When not teaching students to fly, Chris is playing lead guitar in his band that was formed in April 2000. 'It provides a nice distraction from work,' he said.

Chris has been posted back to 37SQN in early 2002 to convert onto the C-130J Hercules.

Story by FLTLT Paul Reddacliff
Photograph by CPL Kirsty Chambers