Glider pilot and Gold Award recipient – Tharane Thamodarar

At Adelaide Town Hall on Thursday 15 October, Tharane Thamodarar received a special certificate from the Governor of South Australia – recognising her completion of the Gold Award of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

CAPTION: Tharane Thamodarar receives her Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Gold Award certificate at Adelaide Town Hall from Governor of South Australia Hieu Van Le. Image courtesy of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – South Australia.

Tharane Thamodarar is now a civilian instructor in the Australian Air Force Cadets with No 604 Squadron (Hampstead Barracks, SA).

Tharane is a former Cadet and, notably, one of a select few who have flown their first solo flight in a glider.

She conducted most of her training in the DG1000S soaring sailplane operated by No 906 Aviation Training Squadron of the AAFC, as she rose through the ranks to become a Cadet Flight Sergeant.

Tharane spoke to the Public Affairs Officer for Aviation Operations Wing, Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig, about her flying career to date.

“As a Leading Cadet, I was selected to undertake flying training with the AAFC under a scholarship, and I flew from Stonefield, Gawler and Balaklava airfields,” Tharane said.

“On 14 March this year I flew my first solo flight at Gawler Airfield with the Adelaide Soaring Club after some additional training in transferring back to aerotow and respective procedures.

“My flying in the AAFC and with Adelaide Soaring Club helped me learn from different instructors and gain experience in different environments and aircraft.”

As a Cadet, Tharane held roles such as recruit flight commander and assistant training officer.

Throughout her AAFC career she earned the Individual Proficiency Badge and the Gold Rifle badge for firearms safety training.

She also completed the requirements for the Bronze Award and then the Gold Award of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an enriching program in which young people aged 14 to 25 participate in a number of activities and non-formal education over a set length of time to qualify for Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Each level is progressively more challenging.

The Award was founded in 1956 by HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

It now operates in more than 130 countries and territories across the globe, helping 14-24 year olds to become committed, responsible and fulfilled citizens of the world – to become world ready.

Tharane’s efforts to improve her knowledge and ability in aviation contributed to the skills section of her Gold Award.

The Gold Award takes particular commitment, perseverance and focus.

Congratulations Tharane on achieving this prestigious award through your service with the Australian Air Force Cadets.

Further information on the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award can be found here.

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