His grandson, Julian Booth has been awarded Student Pilot for the year 2016 by the Hastings District Flying Club (HDFC) at Port Macquarie.

Julian showed a rapid progression with his flying training in 2016.

He was the first student pilot to fly first solo on January 8 last year in the Hastings club’s newest Foxbat 24-8685.

Julian got his pilot certificate on March 11 and went on to achieve his cross country certificate in July.

He also gained his passenger endorsement on August 7, with a great deal of work required to gain all these flying achievements in just one year.

Ray Lind, the chief flying instructor of HDFC and Julian’s flight instructor, said the list of certifications required commitment and determination from a young pilot.

“This can only be achieved by hard work and dedication,” Mr Lind said. 

“Many problems, including weather conditions, are encountered along the way in gaining a pilot’s certificate and this often takes a great deal of perseverance by the student to overcome individual difficulties." 

Julian Booth has indeed developed into a very competent and professional pilot.

Under the watchful guidance of his grandfather John Dunn, Julian is now proceeding to gain his commercial pilot’s licence and hopefully work in the industry as a professional pilot.

“He’s a young bloke and he’s doing really well,” John told the Argus. 

“It takes a lot of commitment to get to where he wants to go and he’s very focused.”

Julian has 15 more hours to go and is busily clocking up his flying hours in ‘Pop’s’ plane, as he calls the Cesna 172 that belongs to Kempsey Flying Club.

Julian is now dedicated and focused on becoming a commercial pilot, as well as soaring high and making Kempsey proud. 

Julian was one of seven local pilots who took to the skies above Kempsey on ANZAC Day, flying in formation above commemoration ceremonies at Gladstone, South West Rocks and Kempsey.