Cadets explain getting pilot’s licence before learning to drive

Recently another two South Australian air force cadets spoke on the ‘Service Voices’ radio program on Radio Adelaide about their aviation experiences through the AAFC.

CAPTION: Leading Cadet Tharane Thamodarar during a weekend training activity at Gawler Airfield. Photo by Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig

Cadet Corporal Tomasz Kocimski of No 604 Squadron recently went solo in a DG-1000S glider.

He had previously completed aviation subjects through the AAFC home training curriculum and then completed the Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) training syllabus, and a solo assessment flight with 6 Wing’s Chief Flying Instructor-Gliding.

Pilot Officer (AAFC) Dennis Medlow, LCDT Tharane Thamodarar and CCPL Tomasz Kocimski at Radio Adelaide. Photo by Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig
Pilot Officer (AAFC) Dennis Medlow, LCDT Tharane Thamodarar and CCPL Tomasz Kocimski at Radio Adelaide. Photo by Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig

This has qualified Tomasz for the AAFC First Solo Badge (Gliding).

Earlier this year, Tomasz privately completed his first solo flight in a powered aircraft, making him eligible to also receive the AAFC First Solo Badge (Powered) – just after his 16th birthday!

Listen to Tomasz’s interview with Radio Adelaide’s Fiona White, here.

Leading Cadet Tharane Thamodarar spoke about how she received the Bronze badge of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award earlier this year.

She had counted her aviation studies and flying training conducted through the Air Force Cadets towards the Skills component of her Award.

Now Tharane, aged 16, is very close to qualifying as a solo glider pilot, and is currently a participant in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Leading Cadet Thamodarar spoke to Service Voices about how she got into flying and her progress to date, how her involvement with Air Force Cadets has opened up a whole new friendship group for her, and the different sort of work pressures and environment they go through as young pilots.

Listen to Leading Cadet Thamodarar’s interview here.

Pilot Officer (AAFC) Dennis Medlow, Chief Flying Instructor-Gliding for 6 Wing, flew with each of these cadets as their instructor in the air.

He joined the cadets on air to talk about the range of flying opportunities the AAFC offers.

He also took the opportunity to present Cadet Corporal Tomasz Kocimski with his AAFC Solo Pilot Badge, ‘live on air’.

Hear that presentation here.

‘Service Voices’ is broadcast on Radio Adelaide 101.5 FM in and around the Adelaide metropolitan area and nationally via the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, with the archived stories also available online.

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Posted by Brian Hartigan

Managing Editor Contact Publishing Pty Ltd PO Box 3091 Minnamurra NSW 2533 AUSTRALIA

One thought on “Cadets explain getting pilot’s licence before learning to drive

  • 07/11/2017 at 11:06 am
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    The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is a youth oriented organisation which operates in a military and aviation environment. For recruitment enquiries (staff, cadet or as an aviation instructor) in South Australia and Mildura pls contact:
    paco.6wg (at) aafc.org.au

    Reply

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