The world’s oldest active fighter pilot, a 66-year-old surfer and grandfather of four, has retired, The Drive reported.
For over 49 years Squadron Leader Phillip Frawley served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), racking up more than 10,000 hours of flying, more than half of which was spent flying fighters.
For years he has held the Guinness World Record for the oldest active fighter pilot, surpassing the previous holder, a 60-year-old Israeli F-16 pilot.
Last month, Fawley took his final flight in a 76 Squadron Hawk 127 Lead-in-fighter, with his squadron and family members present, CNN reported.
“It’s been a special day but all things come to an end,” Fawley said, adding that his journey “has been wonderful, absolutely wonderful.”
His career kicked off in 1969 when he joined the RAAF as an apprentice, working his way up to a fighter pilot and then later becoming an instructor and commanding officer.
Looking back at his time with the RAAF, Fawley said he was most proud of the work he did as an instructor.
“For the high percentage of pilots in Air Combat Group, I’ve had some input to their training. I’ve trained 499 students…didn’t quite make 500,” he said. “That’s probably my best achievement.”
Now that he is retired, Fawley will have more time on is hands to focus on his family and hobbies, which still includes flying.
“I currently take clients on adventure flights in a jet airplane on weekends so I’ll continue to do that,” he told Man Space. “I still get a massive buzz from flying. You just get so good at it after a while that it becomes second nature, like driving a car. I’ll continue to fly as long as it’s fun because if it isn’t fun, what’s the point?”
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