Flight path a family tradition

SAM BAKER/Manawatu Standard

PASSED ON: Fiona Riddler received her wings, which were also worn by her dad and granddad.

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Fiona Riddler has flying in her blood.

The Ohakea-based air force pilot officer received her "wings" at a graduation ceremony at the base yesterday.

The 25 year old, originally from Christchurch, joined the air force in 2008, after spending a year in Great Britain then a stint studying design in Wellington.

Brother Martin and dad Dave are both air traffic controllers and she was taken to air shows from a young age.

Ms Riddler said she joined the air force as "the idea of flying seemed cool".

At her graduation she was presented with her grandfather Doug's brevet, later worn by her father Dave during his 10 years in the airforce from 1967.

Doug Riddler served from 1941 in the Pacific during World War II.

"He had a few interesting moments," Dave Riddler said.

Ms Riddler was one of seven wings course graduates.

Also graduating was Palmerston North's Kendall Dooley, 20, who also joined the air force in 2008.

He said he hoped to stay with the air force for a few years after all his hard work, including 12 exams and 150 hours in the flight trainer.

Mr Dooley was an age-group New Zealand swimming representative while at Palmerston North Boys' High School and is now Himatangi Surf Lifesaving Club captain.

After a dinner at Ohakea with family and friends, Mr Dooley said he would have a few drinks to celebrate.

The graduates will now either remain at Ohakea for further training before being posted elsewhere or fly helicopters for either the air force or navy.

Yesterday's graduation ceremony was held in an indoor hangar because of rain. Standing for an hour proved too much for three air force personnel, who fainted during the ceremony.

- © Fairfax NZ News