Young aviator inspires local students

For Pilot Officer Maylee Neary, attending the Wings Over Illawarra 2022 Careers Open Day in the lead up to the air show provided a unique opportunity to share her experience as a young Air Force aviator.

CAPTION: Pilot Officer Maylee Neary hands over the virtual reality headset to Lachlan at the Wings Over Illawarra Air Show. Story by Flight Lieutenant Nicholas O’Connor. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris.

Pilot Officer Neary, from Western Sydney, graduated from Arndell Anglican College in 2021 and joined Air Force in February this year.

She graduated from Officer Training School in June and has been panelled for a pilot’s course.

As a highly-valued member of the Air Force Aviation Motivation Team, she talks to young people about officer aviation career opportunities.

“We inform the younger generation about aviation roles in Air Force and motivate them to consider a career in the RAAF,” Pilot Officer Neary said.

More than 1500 school students from throughout NSW took the opportunity to find out about the range of aviation careers in Air Force during the careers day.

“The careers day on Friday was a really busy day with a lot of enthusiastic young people interested in Air Force,” Pilot Officer Neary said.

“They were able to get a taste of what it is like to be an Air Force pilot in our simulators. It also provided them a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with us about daily life in aviation.

“Having just gone through recruitment and initial training myself meant that the information I provided to the young students was current.

“I genuinely hope the information and advice I provided help inspire some of the students to consider a career in Air Force aviation.”

.

.


.


.