Ex-cadet living the dream

A former Geraldton Air Force cadet will be among the first Australians to pilot the Royal Australian Air Force’s new training planes.

Squadron-Leader Jay Tuffley has travelled all the way to Switzerland to complete training in the new PC-21 “advanced trainer aircraft”, but still fondly remembers his teenage years in Geraldton.

“Geraldton was a fantastic place to grow up,” he said.

“My time with 13 Flight and on the Geraldton Senior High School aeronautics program were such positive influences in my life, providing me with a strong foundation for my aviation career.”

“It’s a bit nostalgic driving past Towns Cricket Club or the Railways Football Club where I played sport growing up.

“I love the beaches and fishing. It’s still one of my favourite things to do and I’m still in contact with a few of my old mates from the area.”

Sqn-Leader Tuffley said his aeronautics teacher Janice Edwards (now Mrs Hearne) and the 13 Flight air training corps were the two leading factors in his decision to join the RAAF.

“I was in Air Training Corp number 13 Flight for five years and was at Geraldton Senior High School when they started up their aeronautics program,” he said.

“I still remember my teacher Ms Edwards from the aeronautics program. She was extremely influential in my drive to become a pilot, as was my time with 13 Flight.

“The place has grown and developed so much from when I was living there. It’s always fascinating to see how much the city has grown and changed.”

Sqn-Leader Tuffley has had a long career with the air force, completing three tours of the Middle East and flying for the Roulettes aerobatic display team.

The RAAF is ordering 42 new PC-21s to replace the PC-9/A and CT/4B trainers which date back to the 1980s.

Once the first wave of pilots has learnt to handle the planes they’ll be able to teach new pilots in Australia.

The modernised trainer planes will help pilots to transition to the RAAF’s new jets more effectively.

Sqn-Leader Tuffley said the new aircraft were “swept up” versions of the old trainers, complete with virtual simulators to help train pilots even faster.

“It’s a far more capable aircraft. It can go faster, pull more Gs,” he said.

“We should also be able to individually tailor the training now to much better suit each trainee’s needs.”

“In the long run it should be more cost-effective because we can provide better training in a shorter time and produce better defence pilots at the end of the training.”

As for returning to Geraldton, Sqn-Leader Tuffley said his recent move to Melbourne meant he probably wouldn’t be back any time soon.

But whenever he was stationed in Perth he liked to fly up the WA coast.

“If you love the outdoors, and you like a bit of sport, it’s a great place to be,” he said.