A Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School Experience

One of our Special award winners from last year, Matthew Youssef, was fortunate enough to attend this year’s camp and he has written about his experience for us.

Matthew Youssef - feeling right at home.

Not in my wildest dreams could I have dreamed what Walsh 2024 would become. It's easy to overlook its remarkable 57-year evolution from a quiet aerodrome in the middle of nowhere to the bustling hub that now stands as the busiest in the Southern Hemisphere. Bringing together nearly 20 aircraft along with countless experienced pilots and eager students has crafted an unparalleled experience – one that has left me with memories to cherish for a lifetime.

My time at Walsh was nothing short of unique. It all started with the pōwhiri, welcoming the next batch of Walshies onto the land of Ngāti Hauā. Assigned to flights, we formed a diverse group of ab-initio and returning students, embarking on a shared experience that would forge lifelong bonds akin to family.

Since the Walsh’s inception at Matamata, the field has been a perfect location for training. Airspace is divided into four quadrants during the two weeks, allowing for training to commence immediately on leaving the field. For the duration of the school, a 3-mile radius around Matamata airfield becomes controlled airspace below 3500 feet, from 6 am to ECT (and two nights to midnight), all courtesy of an Airways mobile tower and its control staff.

For many, the allure of Walsh was the experience itself, while others arrived with a clear ambition to become pilots. As students from various parts of the country came together, we began to see the unique character of Walsh emerge. In just two weeks, we forged connections that would last a lifetime, condensed learnings that typically span months, and departed as transformed individuals.

The first dinner was a lively icebreaker, as we all had to find a place to sit! Fortunately, I chose a table with a fantastic group of individuals who have since become good friends. Yet, being a student at Walsh presents its own set of challenges. The pace is relentless, with a multitude of new concepts to grasp quickly. Balancing this with exam preparation and striving for excellence on each flight was undeniably exhausting. However, the connections we made, not only with our friends but also with our instructors, became increasingly invaluable.

As much as it is about flying, the school is about teamwork, participation, and respect for each other and the event itself. A tent city is created on the airfield and students are responsible for all aspects of the camp during their stay. These include meals, facilities, cleaning, aircraft care, etc.

With so much to discuss and share, we supported each other through triumphs and challenges alike. Our conversations remained fresh and engaging as our time at Walsh progressed.

The beauty of an early morning at Walsh

One particular challenge that undoubtedly impacted everyone was the emergence of COVID-19 at Walsh. Luckily, I was the first to test positive. You’re probably wondering why I said ‘luckily’… The truth is, had I not tested early, I would have been unable to return. I went home utterly devastated and dejected. The two weeks I had been waiting years for were suddenly over and I hadn’t accomplished any of my goals.

However, Walsh is a place where miracles happen. A five-day recovery, from testing positive to negative, was not something I had anticipated. When I returned there were three days of flying left. No one knows how COVID-19 entered the camp or why, but one thing is certain: it brought us closer together. It required immense planning and effort to keep Walsh going despite COVID-19's attempts to disrupt our experience. I am grateful to John Hamilton and the countless Walsh staff who made sacrifices to ensure our time at Walsh continued.

Before COVID-19, my flight training was progressing wonderfully. I cherished every moment in the air and felt confident about reaching my solo milestone. The ground theory was equally captivating, and we supported each other on our learning journeys. Nothing compares to watching the sun set beneath the tree, all of us gathered in our garden chairs, sharing laughs over moments like forgetting to set carb heat back to cold. These memories will stay with us forever.

I found that the key to effective flight training lies in consistency and efficiency. Flying multiple times a day kept us current, and having the same instructor throughout enhanced the efficiency of our learning. The bond formed with the instructor over the two weeks is priceless.

Each individual will have their takeaways from Walsh, but a few of mine are the following:

1. It's the little things in life

2. You have to go through a rough patch to appreciate the good times!

3. Every setback is a setup for a comeback

4. Never give up

No matter how cliché they may sound, I've witnessed firsthand that these sayings hold true.

Returning from COVID, my performance in circuit non-normal flight was dreadful! Clearly rusty, I had no time to dwell on it. I had one last chance to reach a level where I could go solo. That Saturday night after the flight was when I hit rock bottom. I felt immense pride my friends who had gone solo but yearned to feel it myself.

Throughout my time at Walsh, I kept a diary. My final entry reads:

"I always believed that good things happen to those who deserve them, so it was devastating to be the first sent home with COVID. The dream of a solo flight vanished rapidly, and I went from the peak of enjoyment to the depths of dejection in no time. It's easy to advise someone to never give up, but learning that lesson firsthand is different.

While at home, I continued to practise and study for my solo, unsure if I would even get the chance to return. Five days later, it was nothing short of a miracle when I tested negative, and the urge to return was overwhelming. I still held onto the hope of going solo with only three days left, and everything seemed to be going well until I messed up badly in the circuit on a Saturday night."

Without the support of my instructor, Kiran, and the incredible friends I made, who taught me so much, I wouldn't have been able to regroup for my final attempt the next morning. It turns out, the path to what you love is never simple or straightforward.

On Sunday morning, I went solo.

Suddenly, all the 5:15 a.m. wake-ups and late nights studying felt worthwhile. I was the first to go home with COVID, and the last to go solo. After being drenched with buckets of water, as was the custom, I didn't bother taking a shower. Being drenched, I chose to "soak it all in" as I ate breakfast, both literally and figuratively.

The Walsh tradition - getting soaked after going solo!

Ab-initio students at Walsh are afforded the opportunity to gain at least 8 hours of flight time, representing some of the finest flight training available globally. This training is marked by the highest standards and is facilitated by top-quality instructors.

Walsh's sponsorship from over 50 organisations and individuals includes operational support, substantial flying scholarships, grants, and student prizes, making opportunities heavily subsidised and accessible to a broader range of students. This unique sponsorship also fosters invaluable connections with experienced pilots, enriching the overall learning experience.

The social events at Walsh, such as the firefighters' challenge and the communal pool setup, undoubtedly contributed to the bonding experience among students. However, what truly united us was our shared passion for aviation and the collective opportunity to fly. This shared enthusiasm created a vibrant and supportive community that extended beyond the training grounds.

The final night at Walsh, where we all received our wings, was a culmination of our hard work and dedication. It was a moment of celebration, where exceptional individuals were recognised with scholarships and awards, highlighting the achievements and commitment of the entire cohort.

Saying goodbye at the end of the program was undoubtedly the most challenging part. The bonds formed with the "family" of fellow students, with whom we shared our duties for the past two weeks, were strong. The transition from the camaraderie of Walsh to the solitude of everyday life was palpable, particularly evident in the sombre silence of the drive home.

Going from two weeks of intense flying to the routine of school or work was a stark contrast.

Despite the bittersweet farewell, we all agreed that the two weeks spent at Walsh had transformed us. We returned home not only with new skills but also with a renewed outlook on life. The experiences and lessons learned at Walsh would serve as a foundation upon which we would continue to build, both personally and professionally.

Finally, Walsh would never be what it was without the staff who worked tirelessly.

• To Kiran and all the instructors, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support throughout this journey—it has meant the world to me.

• To John Hamilton, David Jupp, Nicholas Vanderschantz, Aaron Silcock, and the numerous people without whom Walsh would simply not function, including the cooks, camp mum, air traffic controllers, and meteorologists, thank you for being the substance that makes Walsh so special.

• To the students, for whom Walsh exists, thank you for always being there for each other and for me.

We had a marvellous time.