Flying dream achieved with late change in career flight path
Richard Haynes is living proof you can be established on a civilian career path and make a late change of course to take flight with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
28 July, 2021
Born in Birmingham, England, Richard had thought about joining the Royal Air Force as a schoolboy. But that dream was put on the backburner as he earned a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Sport and Exercise Science, and was then bitten by the travel bug.
He travelled extensively and eventually ended up in Auckland, where he started a career in retail and soon gained residency. He was working as a disputes manager for Vodafone when he decided to revisit his aviation dream, which was encouraged by his wife.
“After reaching a crossroads in my career I wanted to achieve what I once had a vision for in the UK and become a pilot,” the 31-year-old, who now calls Orewa home, said.
“I wanted to be a role model for my family and to prove to myself that I had what was required to be successful in one of the most prestigious roles in such a distinguished service.
“I am the first in my family to show any desire to join the Air Force and I also want to start a family tradition with the RNZAF.”
But it wasn’t an easy path.
“It took me almost four years to get in to the RNZAF. After being successful during my first Officer Aircrew Selection Board for a pilot role I wasn’t chosen from the candidate pool.”
It wasn’t until a second selection board application that he got an offer of service to be a pilot.
“During that time, I had accelerated through a career with Vodafone. I was 30 years old, I had just purchased a home, housed a puppy, and was recently engaged.”
Despite an already full life, he embraced his new opportunity with the Air Force.
Now Pilot Officer Haynes has graduated from the 17-week RNZAF Officer Commissioning Course at Base Woodbourne and will soon embark on his training to become a pilot.
He and his wife are now expecting a baby and he expects the next stage of his career to be just as challenging as he supports his young family
“I can’t wait to get to get in the cockpit of a Texan for the first time and in the long run I’d love to become a flying instructor at No. 14 Squadron,” he said.
“Deciding to join the Air Force at that time, and at my age, was the single hardest decision I have made but if I were to do things again I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Army Reserve Force provide a challenge and boost for Masterton woman
People
Manawatū woman achieves driving milestone on Air Force exercise
People
Whangarei Sailor farewells Queen
People
Whanganui Aviator returns to London for Queen's Funeral
People
Youngest Kiwi proud to represent NZ at Queen's Funeral
People
Blenheim Warrant Officer marches for the Queen in London
People
Māori Language Week: Flight Lieutenant Brad Anderson
People
Māori Language Week: Warrant Officer Kathleen Nikau-Tootell
People
Māori Language Week: Lieutenant Colonel Glenn King
People
Facing the challenge on the field
People
Celebrating Tonga Language Week: Leading Aircraftman Tevita Lavemai
People
Celebrating Tongan Language Week: Brother and sister stand firm in the Navy
People
Father and son deploy together
People
From forensics lab to Military Police
People
Whakatane woman's shot at diverse career with RNZAF weaponry
People
Return to Fiji a ‘surreal’ experience for NZ Army soldier
People
Celebrating Cook Islands Language Week: Able Writer Dylan Edney-Pardoe
People
Whangamata sailor devouring chance to go to sea
People
Celebrating Cook Islands Language Week: Lieutenant Colonel Frank Prendergast
People
Success and honour follow heartbreak
People
Nelson Logistics Specialist back in RNZAF uniform to make an impact
People
Auckland man gets a shot at flying dream with RNZAF
People
From the classroom to the runway but Manawatū woman still teaching
People
85 years of service for Flying Officer Jack Marshall DFC
People
Military service runs in the family of Invercargill sailor
People
Proud to wear the uniform: Reservist Private Danny McCarthy
People
Military Police Commanding Officer brings world of experience
People
Raising money for Ukraine in 1066-era armour
People
NZDF celebrates National Volunteer Week
People
Behind the scenes: Parachute Bay
People
Coaster takes ambition to Royal Pageant
People
Blenheim man serves around the world in name of Queen
People
Bay of Plenty woman follows grandfather's Royal Pageant path
People
Christchurch man honours the Queen with new Army family
People
Chief Petty Officer from Napier marches on biggest stage
People
Life in uniform: Private Leah Miles
People
From pram photo to Royal Pageant parade ground for Southland woman
People
Navy workhorse respects Queen’s own mahi
People
Safe hands representing NZ in front of Queen
People
Queen inspired Whanganui man's service
People
Celebrating Samoan Language Week: Ordinary Musician Elijah Taula
People
Celebrating Samoan Language Week: Chief Petty Officer Master At Arms Lino Kurene
People
If she can do it, I can do it
People
Helping others top priority for Auckland Air Force Medic
People
RNZAF career extends Tauranga woman’s family legacy
People
RNZAF helps Devonport woman keep flying career alive
People
NATO award for Army Officer's Afghanistan work
People
Sailor's input to United Nations Command
People
RNZAF 85: Aircraftman Kanapa Kerr
People
RNZAF 85: Pilot Officer Kiwi Walker
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Sergeant Kim Harrison
People
RNZAF 85: Warrant Officer Viti Flanagan
People
RNZAF 85: Sergeant Joyce McGee
People
RNZAF 85: Squadron Leader John "JV" Voice
People
RNZAF 85: Wing Commander Terry Knight
People
RNZAF 85: Flight Lieutenant Jack Hall
People
RNZAF 85: Flying Officer Arthur "Joppy" Joplin
People
Defence Adviser in Fiji
People
NZDF financial head acknowledged by accounting peers
People
Deployed to Solomon Islands
People
Welcoming 2022 in South Sudan
People
Back-to-back maintainer
People
Women in Science
People
Army Officer smashes Guinness Book of World Records kettlebell challenge
People
Air Force dream becomes a reality for Taranaki woman
People
Navy offers Whangarei teen a dream opportunity
People
Newly graduated Waikato man has eyes on the sky
People
Navy STEM programme launches Upper Hutt student into medic career
People
Joining the Air Force a family affair for Northland man
People
Wellington sailor continues family naval tradition
People
Kaitaia Sailor celebrates commissioning to Naval Officer
People
Canterbury volunteer shows care for Op Protect personnel at Christmas
People
Westport sailor embraces new career as Navy Education Officer
People
Reflecting on being WOAF
People
'Incredible journey' to top Air Force leadership role
People
Zone out with axe throwing
People
Former soldier earns wings in return to military
People
Outstanding leadership by NZ Army Officer in Afghanistan recognised
People
Air Force leadership role brings challenge and opportunity
People
Dedication and innovation praised at Chief of Defence Force Awards
People
Exemplary soldier is NZDF Person of Year
People
Managed isolation stalwart named NZDF Reservist of the Year
People
Cadet of the Year an inspiration to the next generation
People
Sailor of the Year recognised in year of challenges
People
Navy Diver recognised for developing diversity
People
Pandemic management while in US posting earns top safety award
People
Allrounder wins NZDF Civilian of the Year award
People
‘Wellness' supporter named Defence Volunteer of the Year
People
Hard line against bullying earns instructor Soldier of the Year title
People
Defence HUMINT: An Airman’s Story
People
Passion for the job recognised by Airman of the Year award
People
NZDF opens up different world of legal challenges
People
RNZAF’s longest-serving woman signs off after years of progress
People
Operation Monitor: deployed to the Republic of Korea
People
Bonded to heritage
People
Reflections during Matariki
People
Navy Reserves keep Upper Hutt man's love of the sea alive
People
Bay of Plenty woman making the most of her time in the Navy
People
Cook Islands sailor proud to deliver vaccine support
People
Graduate's father inspires Air Force career
People
Mother the inspiration for Air Force career choice
People
Variety with ‘the team’ attracts former Cricketer to Navy
People
New Plymouth woman swaps hospo for hootchies and hot spots
People
Swapping the Bomb Squad for an RNZAF Squadron
People
Perseverance pays off as Tauranga man achieves RNZAF dream
People
Mother’s inspiration sets Lower Hutt man on Navy medical career
People
Hercules way finder flying in the family footsteps
People
Navy offers aviation career for Palmerston North man
People
Keep it real
People
NZDF medical officer joins Australian response to Fiji Covid surge
People
Defence Force at the heart of historic Women’s Super Rugby match
People
Riverton man embraces opportunity of Army medical career
People
Ōtaki woman embracing change for RNZAF medical career
People
RNZAF Skyhawk history-maker calls time on illustrious career
People
NZ Army promotes first female General List Officer to Brigadier
People
Inspiring Mums
People
The long wait for the Red Diamond
People
Gisborne high flier aims to make a difference in new career
People
Queenstown woman tops RNZAF recruit course
People
Career change for new RNZAF recruit
People
RNZAF offers Nelsonian a second chance at aviation engineering career
People
Taupō Army Cadets eyes the sky after groundwork
People
Invercargill-born Army Band trumpeter returns to roots
People
Chasing goals and being a mum
People
Take your moko as a friend for life
People
Taupō siblings make it four Navy generations
People
Law graduate takes the helm of a navy career
People
Commendation for former Army Sniper
People
