Flying in the Big Time?

[Kereru]

I have to mention this as I have followed this young fella since he asked if I would take some pics of him when he flew solo.

www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-(Ardmore-Flying/Cessna-172R-Skyhawk/1091577/L/

I duly past on the photos as well as submit them to a web site and then did not hear from him for a couple of years till one day I was having a coffee at Ardmore Cafe and watching the action. This young chap walked over in his Ardmore Flying School uniform and said G'day Colin, I recognized the voice first and he had changed a bit with his new responsibilities. He filled me in on his history since I had last seen him and I did see him from time to time during my spotting visits to Ardmore. We moved house soon after and soon after that he moved house too and became one of our neighbors. From then on I frequently saw him head off for work in the mornings to train other pilots. Heard from his flatmates he got a job with Cathay Pacific. I think I was excited as he was as it is so great to see young folk move on up the ladder of success and as they go they are an inspiration to others. Well done Wiremu and I look forward to one day catching one of your landings or take offs somewhere not to far away.

papakuracourier.realviewdigital.com/?email-analytics=Papakura%20Courier

He flew out to Hong Kong yesterday on his new adventure.

Cheers
Colin

Attachments:

[FlyingKiwi]

Wiremu's a good guy, I'm glad he's got a job with one of the major airlines. I did my first solo in TAQ too.

[Dave Homewood]

Good story Colin, thanks for posting it.

[haughtney1]

Great news for the young man, he's got a lot of tough work ahead of him, and dear I say it will have to unlearn a lot of stuff that has stood him in good stead flying lighties.
That all said, he's in for the adventure of a lifetime and I personally wish him well.

[flyjoe180]

That's a really nice story Colin, cheers. Well done to that chap. Did he do the Cathay Cadet scheme? The article mentions 16 new Cessna 172s, are these upgrades to the old fleet AFS had?

[FlyingKiwi]

I wonder if they're just referring to the current fleet, they were technically new when they bought them even if they aren't new now.

[flyjoe180]

Well yes, back in 1998 they started with the 'new fleet'. 14 years ago.

[Kereru]

Feb 18, 2012 9:47:39 GMT 12 flyjoe180 said:

That's a really nice story Colin, cheers. Well done to that chap. Did he do the Cathay Cadet scheme? The article mentions 16 new Cessna 172s, are these upgrades to the old fleet AFS had?

Not sure Joe but five going through.

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150563575781889&set=p.10150563575781889&type=1&theater

Colin

[davel]

I doubt AFS will be buying any new planes in light of recent events..

Well done to that guy though on landing a fantastic gig. I just wonder though, by skipping straight to the top is he missing out on some of the adventure along the way?

[flyjoe180]

I passed through Ardmore today whilst attending for my Aviation English Language Proficiency Test. The apron wasn't too full, they all seemed rather busy.

[FlyingKiwi]

They took on 55 new students at the start of the year, and I believe they have an overseas contract in the pipeline so despite the recent student loan shakeups I doubt they'll be going under anytime soon. I notice they've also recently shifted their two Duchesses to one of the hangars outside Ardmore Helicopters so I wonder if that's making room for something new on the apron?

[davel]

Yea I bet they grabbed every man and his dog when they saw the writing on the wall. Atleast once this last batch of student loaners have been through they won't be able to milk anymore money out of naive young wannabe pilots.