On Saturday 27 November the Arcare Peregian Springs team was delighted to have organised a flight in a Cessna 182 for an 80-year-old resident Keith Clarke.
Keith was an officer and pilot in the Rhodesian airforce who then became a pilot and second officer for Qantas for 30 years.
He retired at the age of 55 and bought a replica of the airplane he had trained on in the Rhodesian air force. In 1990, Keith flew in the London to Sydney Air Rally.
When asked about how he felt given the opportunity to be back in a plane again, Keith said, “To have a chance of going up in the air again, it will be fantastic. I absolutely miss flying.”
He hung up his wings nearly 30 years ago and now he was given the opportunity to captain again.
He said just before that flight that “this is fantastic, I’m being given the opportunity to experience something that was a massive part of my life over again!” and “It was life, life to me.”
Joining Keith in his amazing experience were his wife, his children Cameron, Alice and Peter who is also a trained pilot, and his grandchildren.
“It is very inspiring for Keith to have had the opportunity from Arcare to be in the air again and to also have his family present,“ Peter said.
“It was a very special experience sharing this with Dad.“
The pilot leading the experience with Keith is Sunshine Coast local, George Palmer, a semi-retired airline pilot currently working as a simulator instructor doing 737 type ratings.
He has completed aircraft instructing and has flown since the age of 16 in a career with Ansett and Singapore Airlines where he retired as a 747 captain.
George said, “Keith loved every minute of it, he had a grin from ear to ear.”
“I am honoured to be doing this for Keith as a fellow aviator.“
Arcare Peregian Springs’ lifestyle coordinator Diane Tyler, was a big part of making Keith’s dream a reality.
“Reliving his flying days has always been his dream and it is such an exciting opportunity for him to have another chance to get into the air,“ Diane said.
