1782 days ago

Wingmen from North Shore school on matching career coordinates

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

Three former students of a North Shore high school have been reunited on the tarmac.

The Westlake Boys High School old boys bumped into each other at their military flying training as Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) pilots.

Flying Officer Denzel Williams 24, Flying Officer Aaron Kurte 24, and Flying Officer Tyler Waters 25, all attended the school in Auckland's Forrest Hill.

Kurte and Williams were in the same year and played hockey together, while Waters studied in the year above them.

Despite following different flight paths after leaving school, the trio found themselves on the same pilot's course at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base in Ohakea.

All three have passed with flying colours with six other new pilots.

Kurte made coffee as a barista while he saved for private flying training.

Williams did odd jobs for a few years and travelled with Kurte before joining the Air Force.

And Waters studied a Batchelor of mechanical engineering at Auckland University where he graduated with honours.

From left: Flying Officers Denzel Williams, Tyler Waters and Aaron Kurte graduate as RNZAF pilots. Photograph supplied: New Zealand Defence Force

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