Our newest aviators

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston chats with Officer Cadet Jane Crane during the parade inspection at the graduation ceremony for students of 192 pilots course. Photo by CPL Kirsty Chambers

The Air Force’s newest aviators are the 10 graduates of the Advanced Pilots course at No. 2 Flying Training School at RAAF Base Pearce.

After putting in hours of ground and flying training during the previous 38 weeks, the students of 192 pilots course were relieved to finally graduate on October 11 and were excited at the prospect of being posted to operational units.

Officer Cadet David Falk, who has been posted to No. 38 Squadron to fly Caribous, said the training was challenging.

“It was definitely a most enjoyable couple of years of my life. I’m now looking forward to getting out of the training world and into the operational side of the job. Even though I will be learning throughout my career, the basics are there and it will be good to put them to use in the real world,” he said.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Angus Houston was the reviewing officer for the graduation and he was impressed by the standard of the parade.

In his address, AIRMSHL Houston recognised the efforts of the graduates and encouraged them to continue the hard work to achieve the highest levels of professional excellence, leadership and teamwork in the operational environment.

“The process of learning never ends. Your nation, your Air Force and your squadron, as well as your passengers, expect you to be the best that you can be,” he said.

As is customary, before the graduation 2FTS paid tribute to the hard work of the student pilots. Each student was hosted by a QFI in a Thunderbird formation flypast.

A Thunderbird consists of about 26 PC-9 aircraft and is the largest formation that the Air Force undertakes.

The route of the flypast encompassed a flyover of Rottnest Island, Perth and the Pearce base where family and friends were gathered to help celebrate.

There were five separate award winners for 192 course. Officer Cadet Greg Nicol won dux of the course, most proficient pilot and the navigation award; Pilot Officer Chris van Hessing won the aerobatics prize as well as instrument flying; Flying Officer Glen Nelson won most improved; Officer Cadet David Falk won highest academic marks; and Flying Officer Simon Kerr was awarded the leadership prize.

• By FLGOFF Nigel Harrington

 

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