WONZ 274 - Jason "Easty" Easthope

[Dave Homewood]

In this episode I talk via Zoom with Group Captain Jason Easthope, RAAF. Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, Easty became inspired by a visit of the RNZAF Strikemasters to Rotorua, and an airshow they had that included a couple of Skyhawks.

At the age of 17 he was selected for pilot training in the RNZAF, and he talks about training on the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer, and progressing to the BAC167 Strikemaster. He then became one of the first bunch of RNZAF pilots to fly the new Aermacchi MB339CB ‘Macchis’. Next came conversion to the McDonnell Douglas Skyhawk with No. 2 Squadron RNZAF, based at Nowra, NSW, in Australia.

Following the completion of his Skyhawk training at Nowra, Jason returned to Ohakea and was posted to No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, again flying Skyhawks.

In 1996 Jason was selected for an exchange posting to the RAF which saw him undergo an eight week course at RAF Valley on BAe Hawks, before joining No. 6 Squadron RAF, flying Sepecat Jaguars.

On returning to the RNZAF, Jason returned did an instructor’s course at the Central Flying School at Ohakea, and then returned to Nowra as an instructor. During this time he narrowly escaped death when practicing an aerobatic manoeuvre that killed his CO, Squadron Leader Murray Neilson, who he was paired up with at the time. Jason was promoted to lead the squadron as a result, but shortly afterwards the unit was wound down due to the Air Combat Wing disbandment.

After deliberation, Jason decided to leave the RNZAF and to join the Royal Australian Air Force. He spent time instructing on the BAe Hawk there and then converted onto the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. This would become the aircraft that he has spent most of his RAAF career flying, serving on four Hornet units over time, and becoming the Chief of Staff for fighter operations in the RAAF. He was commander when the Hornets retired in 2021.

Jason then moved into his current role, as Commanding Officer of No. 100 Squadron RAAF. This is the RAAF’s Heritage Aircraft Fleet, which flies and displays an array of WWII and postwar trainers, fighters and bombers, with bases at RAAF Point Cook, and at Temora.

cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2023/05/wonz-274-jason-easty-easthope/

[mcmaster]

Thanks Dave and Easty! Awesome interview. Made my day.

[Dave Homewood]

My pleasure, I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[johnnyfalcon]

Great interview. Love his enthusiasm! I'd love to know his view of the F-35

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks John. yes, he really is enthusiastic about flying. Great guy.

[skyhawkdon]

I think he hinted at the capability of the F-35 and other current assets Johnny. Australia is making a massive investment in their offensive and defensive capabilities and has been for some time.

[skyhawkdon]

Brilliant episode Dave. A great oral history of an important period of RNZAF history. The training system we had in the ACF era was as good as anywhere in the world (for aircrew and groundcrew), and like Easty I now consider myself very lucky to have been part of it.

Easty and I followed each other around Ohakea/Nowra on 2 and 75 Sqns from 1991 until 2001. He was always a fine pilot and a top bloke. His flying displays in the A-4 at the end were the best I had ever seen. When he demonstrated the aircraft to potential buyers in 2002 some of them were ex Blue Angels A-4 pilots and they had never seen a better A-4 handling display. What an amazing career he went on to have in the RAAF and as he said he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. It would be interesting to know how many hours he has in the various types he has flown.

[ZacYates]

I am super excited to listen to this one - Easty is such a lovely bloke and very generous with his time for fans.

[obiwan27]

Fantastic listen. Highly recommended to all. Overall the abiding feeling I had was of a sense of loss to the nation of all the talented folks, aircrew and technical staff, that public funds had been invested in over decades to hone, craft and develop their skills.
The F16 purchase and rollout was in very good hands before the change of Government in 1999. Defence has been in a decline spiral since then with many poor purchasing decisions and treatment of keen defence personnel.
The recent long overdue maritime and transport capability upgrades are welcome, as is the better pay deal, but much more needs to be done.
The RAAF's ability to get things done and make things happen for its people is perhaps in part of having genuine capability at the sharp end and adequate funding.
EDIT - to fix typos and grammar.

[campbellbox]

Great episode. I’m left with the impression that Easty is a great bloke and an excellent pilot. It’s also clear that the RAAF is a top notch organisation.

[colford]

Which reminds me that back in 2007 SBS-TV here in Australia had a six part tv series "Real Top Guns"in which both Matt Hall - of Red Bull Air Racing and 'Easty' both featured in at least one episode each. Think that I will have to get the DVD down off the shelf and re-watch it. Not to be confused with a more recent BBC series that also aired on SBS about the RAF "Fighter Pilot - The Real Top Gun", which was similar in content, but British!

[Dave Homewood]

Yes I remember and have a copy of the 2007 series on DVD, featuring Easty flying the Blunty. I was going to mention it in the interview but then it slipped my mind.

[11SQNLDR]

Sat down with a cuppa and a couple of gingernuts and listened to it yesterday - cracking interview thanks Dave!

[Dave Homewood]

That sounds like an idyllic way to listen. I am so glad that everyone is loving the episode so much, I have had so much positive feedback. It helps heaps with my motivation to continue making the series when I know people are enjoying the interviews.

[planecrazy]

Really enjoyed that one Dave, you do a great job keeping the flow of the conversation and great questions.