Flying high on wings of his dream

HIGH FLYER: Masterton's Edward Drane has graduated as a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot after a challenging and gruelling RNZAF pilot's course.

After spending his life dreaming of flying, Edward Drane says it feels surreal to finally "earn his wings".

Mr Drane, of Masterton, graduated as a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot at RNZAF Base Ohakea last week.

The 23-year-old, who attended Hadlow School and Rathkeale College, was the only student from Wairarapa in his graduating class.

Mr Drane said he fostered dreams of being a pilot since his parents took him to Wings over Wairarapa as a youngster.

"It's something I wanted to do all the way through high school," he said.

"I did some flights at Hood Aerodrome - and they suggested going into the Air Force, as you do all the cool stuff.

"It feels weird now that I've graduated - it's been my goal for so many years and it's strange to think I've actually got there."

"Getting there" was a challenging experience for Mr Drane and his classmates on the RNZAF pilot's course.

The students started off at Base Woodbourne for Initial Officer Training, learning skills such as military drills and marches, handling weapons, first aid, and military leadership and management.

Mr Drane admits his first taste of military life was "a shock to the system".

"It took a bit of getting used to.

"It's a very rigid routine - you've got the short haircuts, marching everywhere, getting yelled at and lots of fitness training.

"But you meet some great mates and they get you through."

The students later headed to Base Ohakea, where they learned to fly CT-4E Airtrainers.

In order to pass, students had to be proficient in aerobatics, instrument flight, formation flying, navigation and night flight.

"I remember my first flight vividly," said Mr Drane.

"I went up with an instructor who showed me all these aerobatic moves, and I thought, 'I'm never going to be able to do that.' It gets easier, though - doing your first solo flight is a big confidence booster."

Finally, students learned to operate the larger turboprop King Air aircraft - which Mr Drane said was "hard on the brain".

"There are all these emergency checklists and a million and one different procedures to remember. I wasn't a straight A student in high school - so if I can do it, anyone can."

He said his graduation was a "massive relief", as only seven of his original class of 13 made it to the end.

"There's no guarantee you'll graduate. Some people remove themselves, others will fail their assessed flights. It was hard for us - but we became best friends, and we motivated each other to keep nutting it out."

Mr Drane is doing further training at Ohakea, but hopes to fly a Hercules in areas of active conflict, such as Iraq or Syria.