Air Cadets get glimpse into the future at Exercise Wise Owl

Wise Owl is part of the 18-month pilot’s ‘Wings’ course, which develops fully qualified pilots for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal New Zealand Navy under No. 14 Squadron.

The exercise requires students, in T-6C Texan II aircraft, to undertake flight training away from their more familiar airspace at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

Last month the cadets met the five student pilots at RNZAF Base Auckland and were able to ask questions about learning to fly and the course challenges, as well as getting to appreciate a T-6C up close.

Wise Owl provides several challenges for student pilots, including “close flying” - an important skill pilots need to know to be operational in the next step of their career as they move to their fixed wing or rotary squadrons after graduation in December.

One of the five student pilots, Pilot Officer Phil Percy, said learning to fly solo as part of a formation was a highlight of his course, as well as being a huge confidence booster.

“I spent 95 per cent of the formation flight looking at the lead plane and trying to be as smooth on the controls as I can be so we can hold the position safely,” said PLTOFF Percy.

Instructor Lieutenant Commander Stephen Knowles said the students performed extremely well under intense pressure.

“This course is a steep learning curve, and all students have executed the tasks given to them to a high standard. All five student pilots successfully passed the formation phase flying both solo and as a formation pair,” said LTCDR Knowles.

T-6C Texan II aircraft are used to train Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots during their Wings Course and pilot instructors during the Flying Instructor Course.

They are purpose-built for military flight training and have the latest technology including ejection seats, collision-avoidance and ground proximity warning systems and a pressurised cockpit.