SQUADRON LEADER JASON EASTHOPE

Easty wanted to be a fighter pilot ever since he went to an airshow as a school boy. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force at the age of 18 and began flying jets at only 19 years of age.

His first operational posting was on the A4k Skyhawk based at RNZAF Base Ohakea. During his first tour on Skyhawks he exercised throughout SE Asia flying with the Royal Singapore, Malaysian, Thai and Indonesian Air Forces.In 1996 he went to the UK on exchange for 3 years with the Royal Air Force flying Jaguars. He conducted many exercises, operating the Jaguar in Norway (off the snow!), Germany, Denmark, Italy, France, Malta, Spain, Jordan, Oman, USA, Canada and Alaska.

Whilst flying with the RAF he was required to conduct operations in support of UN and NATO forces.

In 2002 he transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force where he is currently flying and instructing on the F/A-18 Hornet.

Easty has over 5000hrs military flying and will pretty much fly anything with wings. Military jet aircraft flown include; F/A18 Hornet, SEPCAT Jaguar, McDonald Douglas A4K Skyhawk, BAe Hawk Mk1 and 127, Aermacchi 339C, Albatros L-39C and the BAC167 Strikemaster.

Easty enjoys the opportunity to give adventure seekers a small taste of military flying when conducting jet rides in the Strikemaster and L39 Albatross. He is also a qualified low level aerobatic display pilot and enjoys show casing various aircraft at airshows around Australia.

Easty is happily married to Gillian (his school sweet-heart!) and they are living in Nelson Bay with their 4 wonderful boys.