Role reversal sees former trainee pilot become the trainer

MATT BROWN matt@topsouthmedia.co.nz

A pilot trained by a Marlborough Aero Club instructor 55 years ago has returned the favour, performing a flight review for his former mentor.

Kevin Wilkey was sent off on his first solo flight at Omaka Airfield by A Category instructor Allan Graham in 1968.

And with Allan now being an octogenarian, but still holding a pilot’s license, he did not have to look far for someone to carry out his biannual flight review.

Kevin, now an A Category instructor himself, says Allan aced the test.

“With a combined total of 110 years, 33000 flying hours between us, it wasn’t difficult for Allan to meet all the requirements for his renewal with flying colours.”

A former pilot at Safe Air, Allan rose to the rank of Captain, flying Bristol Freighters and Argosy aircraft. A full airline career followed with Allan clocking up more than 25,000 hours (about 3 years) of flight time.

Meanwhile, Kevin moved to Nelson and pursued a commercial pilot’s license with the Nelson Aero club.

“A category C instructor rating soon followed and with experience I gained my B category rating,” Kevin says.

A move back to Blenheim in 1994 saw him become the Chief Flying Instructor for the Marlborough Aero Club, a position he held for the next 17 years.

Then, in 2004, Kevin gained his A Category instructor rating which he still holds today.

Kevin says he finds the role reversal after all these years amusing, but he’s happy to be able to return the favour.

Teenagers arrested for vape store burglaries

Staff Reporter

Two teenagers have been arrested following a spate of burglaries at a vape store in Blenheim.

Hot Boxx, on Charles Street, has been targeted by thieves three times in the past week, police say. Relieving area response manager for Marlborough Detective Sergeant Lindsay Tilbury says the youths will be referred to youth aid.

“Police have worked quickly to identify those involved and today arrested two youths,” he says.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish whether the three incidents are linked.”

He says the investigation is ongoing, and police are working to identify others involved.

“Police and our partners will be working with the families of the young people involved.”

Lindsay says police will be increasing their visibility and patrols in the area where the business was targeted.

“We acknowledge how upsetting this series of offences has been for them,” he says.

Anyone with information relating to these incidents is asked to contact Police on 105 quoting file number 230324/1513.