ROCKINGHAM Air Force cadet Flight Sergeant Jonathan Meade received an award for his flying skills at a national aviation competition in Bathurst last week.
Jonathan (17) is from the Rockingham 708 Squadron and picked up the award representing the state after taking part in four flights in a Piper Warrior aeroplane.
All the contestants had two practice flights, followed by two assessed flights.
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READ NOW“The award I won was for the cadet who demonstrated the highest level of airmanship for powered flying,” he said.
Jonathan joined the cadets three years ago and first learnt to fly in gliders in Narrogin, before climbing into powered planes at the Murray Field airport in Mandurah.
“I have almost achieved my recreational pilot’s licence,” he said.
“I still don’t have my P-plates, but can fly a plane by myself.”
He has already clocked up 32 hours flying Cessnas and 11 in a glider.
“I don’t glide anymore, but I go powered flying for about an hour once a week,” he said.
The Living Waters Lutheran College Year 11 student is aiming for a career in the Royal Australian Air Force and hopes to get a degree from the Australian Defence Force Academy.
“If I get into the RAAF, I would like to fly the Boeing P-8 Poseidon because it has a cool role and is practical if I decide to leave the Air Force,” he said.
The brand-new state-of-the-art aircraft are used for anti-submarine and surface warfare and maritime patrols.
“If I leave the Air Force, the plane is a variant of the B-737, so my skills in the aircraft won’t be wasted if I continue to fly, which I hope I do,” he said.