Without Precedent

Australia’s first Purple Heart recipient had a flying career spanning jet combat in Korea, flying Super Constellations with Qantas and a decade with the NSW Air Ambulance

Following in the footsteps of one’s father is not a new concept. In fact, for centuries sons were born into the trade of their elders. Blacksmith begat blacksmith and carpenter begat carpenter. Similarly, in the new age, many pilots have heralded from an aviation parentage. Even so, in the space of mere decades, the role of the pilot and the machines that take them into the sky have changed.

A logical progression

It is not surprising that many pilots are the offspring of pilots. From the earliest of their days, the children of aviators are exposed to a very different workplace environment. Airport terminals or air bases, uniforms and odd hours are the norm, rather than a sideshow to an exciting holiday to some far flung destination. And of course, there are the aeroplanes.