Hawke’s Bay pilot winging way to dream job with RNZAF

Pilot Officer Coleman was one of seven students who gained their “wings” at a graduation ceremony held at RNZAF Base Ohakea recently. He was awarded the Wigram Trophy for gaining the highest academic mark on the course.

He now hopes to be posted to No.3 Squadron learning to fly helicopters.

On leaving Napier Boys’ High, Pilot Officer Coleman “chased winter” - working at ski fields overseas and in New Zealand.

“I have a passion for mountains and worked for a number of years over winters in ski patrol and search and rescue, and as a summer glacier guide in the South Island.

“The part of these jobs that I loved more than anything was flying around in helicopters.

“I started learning to fly in Wanaka before starting the application process to join the Air Force.”

Pilot Officer Coleman was accepted into the RNZAF Pilot Training Course as a Student Pilot in 2022, with 20 hours’ flying under his belt.

During the course he sat 14 ground exams and flew 139 sorties, and was assessed and marked on each of them.

“I clearly remember my first solo flight as I had to do a ‘go around’ after not getting the landing approach quite right. I was aware my instructor was watching me from the control tower and assessing me, but the next landing was perfect.”

In the tradition of pilots successfully navigating their first solo flight, Pilot Officer Coleman had his tie cut - an aviation tradition that symbolises the instructor releasing the student from his control.

The T-6C Texan II aircraft are purpose-built for military training and 11 are used at Base Ohakea to train student pilots on their wings course.

They initially train exclusively in a ‘military designated airspace’ which allows the students to train without having to worry about civilian aircraft.

Course Commander and Instructor, Flight Lieutenant Tom McDowell says the main training difference between earning an RNZAF Wings brevet and a commercial pilot’s licence is training.

Military pilots train in aerobatics, low-level navigation down to 250 feet, and formation flying (which includes aerobatic tail chasing) and close formation flying in cloud.

“Operating at low level is a basic defence measure in a threat environment and something our pilots must be confident and competent in,” he said.

Texans are often seen flying lower in and around the lower North Island particularly around Ohakea and Whanganui.