Air Force aerobatic pilot Flight Lieutenant Justin Hayter took his aircraft to his hometown to visit the Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) Squadron in Lismore where his career began.
Growing up in the town and being a member of 326 Squadron AAFC, Flight Lieutenant Hayter jumped at the chance to visit the next generation of aviators and reflect on the influence the AAFC had on his career.
"I spent my entire childhood in Lismore until I joined the Air Force in 2005," Flight Lieutenant Hayter said.
"It was in the AAFC that I developed the confidence in my abilities, leadership and teamwork that made it possible for me to join the Air Force."
Flight Lieutenant Hayter flew a PC-21 aircraft from Central Flying School at RAAF Base East Sale up to Lismore, enabling the 60 cadets, parents and Air Force Association personnel to view the aircraft up close.
"Arriving at the old squadron building and being able to see what had changed and so much that hadn't, brought back many good memories," Flight Lieutenant Hayter said.
"Commanding Officer 326 Squadron showed me a perpetual award plaque hanging on the wall that had my name on it all the way back from 2002."
After a tour of the PC-21 and presentation to the group, Flight Lieutenant Hayter answered every question the cadets could throw at him, showing pictures and videos of career highlights along the way.
"The biggest laugh of course was showing a video of my training where I deliberately lost consciousness during centrifuge training when I was posted to the Institute of Aviation Medicine - never fails watching me do the 'funky chicken'," Flight Lieutenant Hayter said.
After two hours, Flight Lieutenant Hayter asked the cadets "who wants to join the Air Force?" and almost every hand in the room went up.
"I felt so much enjoyment purely from how engaged they all were - they had so many questions," he said.
"I was thinking it could be one of them standing up front giving the same talk in 20 years' time. If I managed to impact one person in a positive way, then the visit was worth it.
"My guess is that we'll see at least another 40 Air Force applicants over the next two to eight years."
While in Lismore, Flight Lieutenant Hayter discovered one of the AP-3C Orions he used to fly when posted to 10 Squadron parked at Lismore Airport (tail number A9-752), awaiting transport to Evans Head Heritage Aviation Museum when it was badly damaged in the floods.
"It was sad to see but it made the trip more special to see such an amazing aircraft that I've flown resting in the town I grew up in," he said.
