Buzzing with wings
Ambition realised at pilot course graduation

PLTOFF Damien Buswell receives his wings from CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston.

Prize winners for 195 Pilots Course included (L-R) LEUT Ben Scorey, PLTOFF Daniel Burton, OFFCDT Aaron Carswell and OFFCDT Raymond Hurley. Photos by CPL Garry Dixon

By FLTLT Nigel Harrington

PILOT Officer Damien “Buz” Buswell recently completed one of the Air Force’s most demanding courses, pilot training, and he now hopes other people with a desire to fly and a bent for challenges will push themselves to also apply for pilots’ course.

Up until the end of 2001 PLTOFF Buswell was an avionics technician working with P-3 Orions. With some trepidation about his qualifications and abilities to make it as a military pilot, Buz was encouraged by supportive supervisors to chase his goal and apply for pilot’s course.

Reflecting on his now completed pilot training, Buz believes the experience was just as challenging as he thought, but the experience allowed him to define new personal limits and allowed him to learn more about capitalising on his strengths and how to manage weaknesses.

“The training was very challenging. I learnt how far mentally I could push myself and this helped to develop confidence and it was character building. It was also a lot of fun,” he said.

For other airmen and women looking to commission and undertake pilot training, PLTOFF Buswell encourages them to seek out supportive supervisors who can help them to prepare for the commissioning process, as well as to help maintain motivation.

Transitioning from airmen to officer was an apprehensive time and it was easy to lose motivation. Having people helping to maintain a focus on the goal was, he believed, a great help.

Although Buz was hoping to head back to P-3’s, he will instead be headed for No.38 Squadron to fly the Caribou. He believes the role conducted by the Caribou is an interesting one and that his skills and attributes are better matched with this aircraft.

Also graduating on 195 Pilots course were 10 other Air Force pilots and three Navy pilots.

One graduate who excelled during training was Pilot Officer Daniel Burton, who was awarded five of the eight awards presented to graduating courses.

These included dux of the course, highest academic marks, navigation, most proficient pilot, and most proficient pilot in instrument flying.

Also receiving awards were Lieutenant Ben Scorey for most improved, Officer Cadet Raymond Hurley for aerobatics and Officer Cadet Aaron Carswell who won the leadership prize.

Reviewing Officer for the graduation parade was CAF Air Marshal Angus Houston, who congratulated students on the first stage of their pilot career and noted that the graduates could feel justifiably proud of their achievement.

AIRMSHL Houston stressed the importance of flying safety and reminded graduates that in order to maintain an excellent flying safety record, all members must work towards the goal of zero accidents.

Postings for course members include 32SQN, 34SQN, 36SQN, 37SQN, 38SQN, 79SQN, 292SQN and 723SQN at HMAS Albatross.

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