3000 hours of flying Squirrels

24 August 2007 By SBLT J. Scott

Senior Qualified Helicopter Instructor LCDR Tony Reyne recently logged his 3000th hour flying the AS350BA Squirrel helicopter.

This milestone was reached while testing one of 723 Squadron's pilots for their local area Instrument Rating Test.

This adds to his many achievements over 37 years of service to the RAN. He has logged a total of 7756 flying hours in his career and is expected to reach 8000 hours early next year.

LCDR Reyne joined the Navy in January 1970 as an Aircraft Apprentice before gaining a commission and subsequently receiving his pilot's wings in 1977.

After completing helicopter conversion in early 1978 he has flown many types including the Iroquois, Wessex, Gazelle, Kiowa and Squirrel.

He completed the UK's helicopter instructor's course in 1984 and has since trained countless pilots and aircrew for the RAN. LCDR Reyne has no intention of staying on the ground, and would like to fly the Squirrel through to its planned withdrawal from service in about 2011.