Magnificent seven win their wings

No. 2 Flying Training School graduates OFFCDT John Calvert, OFFCDT Cory Fischer, OFFCDT Ben Sawley, FLGOFF David Marsh, OFFCDT Simon Pietsch, OFFCDT Shaun Wilkinson, OFFCDT Stuart Hawthorne, SBLT David O'Toole and MIDN Neil Amey. Photo by CPL Kirsty Chambers

SEVEN Air Force pilots joined two Navy student pilots to successfully attain their wings when RAAF Base Pearce’s No 2 Flying Training School graduated its fifth pilots course for 2002.

It was the first time the school had graduated five courses in one year under the current training system, and while it seemed a daunting prospect earlier in the year, the hard work of instructors, students and support staff made it possible.
A total of 47 Air Force and nine Navy pilots graduated from 2FTS into the operational field in 2002.

Sixteen Air Force graduates have since taken up fast jet training whilst the remainder cover the range of Air Lift Group aircraft, P3-C Orions and Beechcraft 200 King Air aircraft. 2FTS graduates are also participating in exchanges with the Navy and US Air Force.

Navy graduates, meantime, are undertaking helicopter conversions at HMAS Albatross, in Nowra NSW.

The reviewing Officer for 193 Pilots Course graduation, former Deputy Chief of Air Force Air Vice-Marshal (ret’d) Brent Espeland said students and staff put a great deal of effort in to pilot training to attain the high standards set by 2FTS.

He encouraged graduates to continue to seek excellence throughout their military careers.

The graduation day was not only special for graduates, but also for their proud parents and family members. This was the case for Commander Surveillance and Control Group Air Commodore David Pietsch, who saw his son, Officer Cadet Simon Pietsch, get his wings.

AIRCDRE Pietsch was “immensely proud” to see Simon graduate.

“Im sure that he’ll enjoy the challenges of being a military pilot, and I hope his career will be as rewarding and exciting as mine has been.”

AIRCDRE Pietsch was a graduate of 73 Pilots Course. He believed that since he had graduated, the course had become more involved and more challenging for the younger pilots.

Watching his father enjoy his work was the main reason Simon chose a career as a military pilot.

“Dad’s success definitely led me to decide on a career in the Air Force as a pilot. Seeing him enjoy his work and be excited about his job has made me believe that it is a career that I would like for myself,” he said.

There were five separate award winners for 193 Pilots Course.

Officer Cadet Benjamin Sawley won Dux of the Course, Most Proficient Pilot and the Aerobatics prize; Flying Officer David Marsh won the Navigation award and Most Proficient Instrument Flying; Officer Cadet Corey Fischer was awarded Most Improved; Midshipman Neil Amey won Highest Academic Marks; and Officer Cadet Shaun Wilkinson was awarded the Leadership prize.

Postings for course members included 36SQN, 37SQN, 38SQN, 79SQN, and 723SQN at HMAS Nowra.

• By FLGOFF Nigel Harrington
  
  

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