Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 11, 2007 11:31:10 GMT 12
Ray's really up in the air at 72
BY JOHN BISSET - The Timaru Herald | Saturday, 10 November 2007
Temuka man Ray Niles has the honour of being one of the oldest aviation students in New Zealand to gain his private pilot's licence.
"It's something I have always wanted to do and I've lived to achieve it," said the 72-year-old.
Ray's fascination with flying started nearly 65 years ago when he was taken for a ride in a Tiger Moth.
"It was a glorious feeling," said Ray, but over the years I never had the time or money to devote to flying lessons."
Ray's two sons, Paul and Andrew, have both pursued careers in aviation, and a couple of years ago suggested that Ray should also take up the challenge.
At 70 years of age, I thought my days were fairly limited. A recent cancer scare made me realise I wasn't bullet proof; you're a long time under the sod, so I decided to give it a go."
The first hurdle for the budding pilot was to pass a medical and the first written exam. It had been a long time since Ray had studied.
"My brain may be a bit slower but it still works" . . . and work it did, three months later Ray was taxi-ing down the runway for his first solo.
He hasn't looked back since and earlier this month passed his final exams and flight test to become one of the oldest pilots to be trained in South Canterbury.
Naama Gueta, chief flying instructor for the South Canterbury Aero Club, said that Ray was one of her keenest students.
" He is very motivated and gives everything 100 per cent. Age was never an issue, he is no different to train than a sixteen-year-old."
Bill Summers, communications manager of CAA, said it was unusual for a person of that age to be a first-time licence holder. Most pilots start training in their late teens to early 20s and although there are a number of old pilots there are not many new, old pilots.
Ray said it was relief to pass his PPL, as the exams and being assessed had been full on.
Flying has also helped him come to terms with the recent death of his wife Jenny, who passed away in July.
"Staff at the aero club were fabulous, they encouraged me to get back into the air and finish my training."
Ray has clocked up 102 hours so far and one of the highlights is taking his grandchildren flying, and as long as he passes his regular medicals he will continue.
Being a retired watchmaker Ray's other spare-time project is building a clock from scratch which also involves making the tools to make it. He also likes gardening, yachting, building and flying model areoplanes.
Ray's advice to others his age is simple: "don't sit on your bum – get up and do something".
BY JOHN BISSET - The Timaru Herald | Saturday, 10 November 2007
Temuka man Ray Niles has the honour of being one of the oldest aviation students in New Zealand to gain his private pilot's licence.
"It's something I have always wanted to do and I've lived to achieve it," said the 72-year-old.
Ray's fascination with flying started nearly 65 years ago when he was taken for a ride in a Tiger Moth.
"It was a glorious feeling," said Ray, but over the years I never had the time or money to devote to flying lessons."
Ray's two sons, Paul and Andrew, have both pursued careers in aviation, and a couple of years ago suggested that Ray should also take up the challenge.
At 70 years of age, I thought my days were fairly limited. A recent cancer scare made me realise I wasn't bullet proof; you're a long time under the sod, so I decided to give it a go."
The first hurdle for the budding pilot was to pass a medical and the first written exam. It had been a long time since Ray had studied.
"My brain may be a bit slower but it still works" . . . and work it did, three months later Ray was taxi-ing down the runway for his first solo.
He hasn't looked back since and earlier this month passed his final exams and flight test to become one of the oldest pilots to be trained in South Canterbury.
Naama Gueta, chief flying instructor for the South Canterbury Aero Club, said that Ray was one of her keenest students.
" He is very motivated and gives everything 100 per cent. Age was never an issue, he is no different to train than a sixteen-year-old."
Bill Summers, communications manager of CAA, said it was unusual for a person of that age to be a first-time licence holder. Most pilots start training in their late teens to early 20s and although there are a number of old pilots there are not many new, old pilots.
Ray said it was relief to pass his PPL, as the exams and being assessed had been full on.
Flying has also helped him come to terms with the recent death of his wife Jenny, who passed away in July.
"Staff at the aero club were fabulous, they encouraged me to get back into the air and finish my training."
Ray has clocked up 102 hours so far and one of the highlights is taking his grandchildren flying, and as long as he passes his regular medicals he will continue.
Being a retired watchmaker Ray's other spare-time project is building a clock from scratch which also involves making the tools to make it. He also likes gardening, yachting, building and flying model areoplanes.
Ray's advice to others his age is simple: "don't sit on your bum – get up and do something".
