Air force pilot’s flying visit home

ONE of Australia’s most advanced warplanes has flown into Hobart, with a local captain in the cockpit.

The touchdown marked Tasmania’s first visit from an E-7A Wedgetail aircraft, one of six in the RAAF fleet.

The plane was piloted yesterday by a 27-year-old from Launceston, who became captain of the early warning and control aircraft a month ago.

Flight-Lieutenant James, whose surname is confidential, has toured the Middle East with the Wedgetail three times and last returned to Australia in August.

The plane, based on a Boeing 737 and fitted with a giant radar on top, is used for intelligence gathering and surveillance.

“The information and knowledge gathered is sent through to the coalition forces,” Flt-Lt James said.

He said flying the aircraft into his home state, as part of a training exercise, was a great honour.

“This is a really proud day for me,” he said.

The pilot applied to join the Royal Australian Air Force while in Year 12 at Scotch Oakburn College in Launceston.

The aircraft was in Hobart for only an hour only before flying back to its home base in Newcastle.

The short stop was long enough for the captain to see his parents and allow 25 of Tasmania’s Air Force Cadets to tour the plane.

Hobart cadet Mitchell Norman, 18, said it was great to meet the aircrew. The young man, who has just finished Year 12 at Elizabeth College, said he was working towards a career in the air force. “I’ve always wanted to fly,’’ he said.