Shane Tido.
Camera IconShane Tido. Credit: Supplied/Jon Hewson

WA’s youngest pilot: Shane Tido off to a flyer in career chase

Francis CurroComment News

GOSNELLS resident Shane Tido is too young to drive a car, but on his 15th birthday he became WA’s youngest solo pilot.

The Cannington Community College student took advantage of new regulations which lowered the minimum age to fly solo from 16 to 15.

As part of the test that he did on July 20, the Year Nine student flew a Cessna 152.

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In order to qualify as a solo pilot, Shane had to complete at least three circuits with an instructor and at least three touch and goes for the instructor pilot to assess his landing ability. He also had to fly 14.5 hours and meet the competency required for each of the lessons.

With this solo feather in his cap, Shane now has his sights set on becoming a commercial pilot.

“I have a lot of hard work left to do to reach my goal to be a commercial pilot for Qantas or any major airline,” he said.

“Flying is not really scary I think if you have an interest for it.

“Just enjoy yourself and make sure you do well and train and make sure you study.”

Shane said the best part about flying was the ability to see the whole of Perth and the freedom you get from it.

He said one of the favourite flights he had ever done was when he flew over Cottesloe Beach.

Shane’s parents have been supporting his dream to be a commercial pilot.

His father Lamu Tido said he also wanted to be a pilot and used to make model planes as a child.

The family moved over from Papua New Guinea when Shane was eight and Mr Tido said he used to take photos of planes at the airport.

“He used to build model planes at home and I used to have to take him to Jaycar and Dick Smith to buy electronic models,” he said.

“It was his interest and he was pretty keen to fly.

“We feel a little bit nervous and all that but he was pretty confident.”