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LCDR
Dave Walker receives his 2000 hour flying certificate at
FACDU.
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NAVY
pilot Lieutenant Commander Dave Walker has reached a unique career
milestone by clocking up 2000 hours in PC-9 aircraft.
The Central Flying School (CFS) instructor celebrated his achievement
recently at the Forward Air Control Development Unit (FACDU).
He had flown his 2000th hour in a FACDU aircraft while working
with the unit as part of his CFS instructor role. The milestone
was achieved during a smoke marking sortie – something CFS
PC-9s are not equipped for – at Saltash Range, near Williamtown.
He is also a local boy, having grown up in Maitland, just west
of Newcastle.
“I always look forward to visiting FACDU,” he said.
“They have some unique challenges that we at CFS try to help
them overcome, rather than just being a testing agency. The flying
is also a bit different and usually good fun.”
FACDU Commanding Officer Squadron Leader John Davidson expressed
appreciation for his naval counterpart.
“Lieutenant Commander Walker has always recognised our needs
and tailored his efforts to meeting both of our [unit’s]
requirements,” he said. “He is a role model for the
relationship between a central regulator and the units they support.”
