Air Force Pilots Get Their Wings

Seven newly qualified Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots celebrated a milestone in their careers with the presentation of their ‘Wings’ or brevets at a graduation parade at Air Force Base Ohakea today.

The Commanding Officer of Flying Training, Wing Commander Richard Beaton said presentation of the pilot’s brevet signifies the successful completion of tough flight training.

“The award of the pilots’ brevet or ‘Wings’ represents a milestone in every military pilot’s career, and is the culmination of a very demanding but rewarding period of training.

“This symbol of their achievement provides visible recognition of the standards they have reached,” he said.

The RNZAF pilot’s course is difficult and challenging. The graduates started with Initial Officer Training at Base Woodbourne. After this they completed aviation medical training and survival training. The next step was at Pilot Training Squadron learning to fly the CT-4E Airtrainer, culminating in 130 hours flying time. The final step was at No. 42 Squadron learning the complex systems of the King Air aircraft and flying as single pilot captains accruing a further 90 hours.

The new pilots will go on to fly A109, NH90 or Seasprite helicopters, C-130 Hercules, Boeing 757s or P-3K2 Orions.

The 2014 graduating pilots are:

PLTOFF Richard Raven – Auckland

PLTOFF Edward Drane – Masterton

PLTOFF Nicole Brooke – Palmerston North

PLTOFF Ryan McRae – Hamilton

PLTOFF Thomas McDowell – Cromwell

PLTOFF Daniel Walker – Rotorua

PLTOFF Aaron Quinn - Paeroa

ENDS

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