Maitland Air League’s junior pilots saw the Earth rush up to greet them when they took to the skies in gliders this week. The Air League’s second annual gliding day gave the young flyers a taste of the joystick when their fully qualified pilots briefly handed over control of the gliders at an altitude of 2500 feet.
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“The new boys and their parents looked nervous at first. The boys who went up last year looked excited,” said the Maitland Squadron’s officer in command, Colin Mathews.
“But when they came down and hopped out they were smiling like Cheshire cats.
“The pilots taught them to look for thermals, look for the right clouds or for eagles – they also use the hot air.
“It’s quite peaceful.”
The Air League encourages all young people interested in flight to join and opens up pathways to Airforce cadetships in teenage years.
“Some of our best fighter pilots came through the Maitland squadron,” Mr Mathews said.
While the league offers a handy transition path to the Royal Air Force, many of its graduates have also gone on to fly in private or commercial capacities.
The club meets every Friday night at the Royal Newcastle Aero Club at Rutherford from 6.30pm to 8.30pm and there are many more events planned throughout the year that will put members in the cockpit.
Boys and girls squadrons are stationed in the Hunter Region. Contact Mr Mathews on 0428 689 642 or 4966 0520.
