Students stretch wings

Thursday, July 1, 2010 8:55

A trio of young aviation enthusiasts will find out if the sky is the limit when they live and train with the Air Force next week.
Three Wairarapa College students will test their mettle alongside 73 others at Ohakea Air Force base doing survival training, flying in a helicopter, and waking at six each morning in the barracks.
Year 13 pupil Hamish Cundy and Year 12 students Stephanie James and Charlotte Hewitt were accepted for the experience because of their aptitude in English, mathematics and science, in addition to their passion for the Air Force.
Charlotte said she was rapt but would have to see how it went before she considered a career in the Air Force. She felt it was a job that may appeal to her love for fitness.
''If you're in the Air Force you can do everything _ you can maintain your fitness doing sports you enjoy whereas with other jobs it's difficult to find the time do that.''

A career as an avionics technician was the drawcard for Stephanie who said she had always loved planes and had a knack for electronics.
All three said they were most looking forward to a planned helicopter flight.
Hamish, who has been in a trial flight before, said he loved flying because ''of that sense of being in the air, really, and being in control''.

The Air Force course runs from Monday to Friday next week.