Role reversal sees trainee pilot become the trainer
Pilot Kevin Wilkey took his former flight instructor, Allan Graham, through his paces for a flight review at the Marlborough Aero Club, Omaka. Photo: Supplied.
A pilot trained by a Marlborough Aero Club instructor 55 years ago has returned the favour, performing a flight review for his former mentor.
Kevin Wilkey was sent off on his first solo flight at Omaka Airfield by A Category instructor Allan Graham in 1968.
And with Allan now being an octogenarian, but still holding a pilot’s license, he did not have to look far for someone to carry out his biannual flight review.
Kevin, now an A Category instructor himself, says Allan aced the test.
“With a combined total of 110 years, 33000 flying hours between us, it wasn’t difficult for Allan to meet all the requirements for his renewal with flying colours.”
A former pilot at Safe Air, Allan rose to the rank of Captain, flying Bristol Freighters and Argosy aircraft. A full airline career followed with Allan clocking up more than 25,000 hours (about 3 years) of flight time.
Meanwhile, Kevin moved to Nelson and pursued a commercial pilot’s license with the Nelson Aero club.
“A category C instructor rating soon followed and with experience I gained my B category rating,” Kevin says.
A move back to Blenheim in 1994 saw him become the Chief Flying Instructor for the Marlborough Aero Club, a position he held for the next 17 years.
Then, in 2004, Kevin gained his A Category instructor rating which he still holds today.
Kevin says he finds the role reversal after all these years amusing, but he’s happy to be able to return the favour.