Kerry’s the odd one out, though it may be hard to spot. He’s from New Zealand, where he decided to become a pilot soon after finding out about aircraft at age 4. This was allegedly some time ago. The Plan then developed: become a steely-eyed Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) skygod pilot, have a glittering career and join an airline and fly big shiny jet aeroplanes all over the world. This plan was started with a PPL gained in New Zealand, immediately after which Kerry found himself starting RNZAF flying training. Initially on the Pacific Aerospace Airtrainer followed by the BAC 167 Strikemaster.

First posting was to the mighty HS Andover C Mk1 with operations within and from New Zealand to the Western Pacific and Australia. Command on the Andover followed in 12 months, with a posting to Iran very soon after, for 9 months, to operate with the UN after the Iran/Iraq war ceasefire.

Returning to New Zealand, Kerry had 6 weeks to sort his life out and get organised for a 2+ year posting to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), based near Sydney and flying the De Haviland DH-C4A Caribou. After two years of demonstrating to the Australians how to fly their aeroplane, Kerry was posted back to the RNZAF for six months of Flying Instructors Course and a posting to the Strikemaster for instruction on the ‘advanced’ phase of RNZAF pilot training. Six months of ‘variable noise, constant speed’ Strikemaster piloting saw the Strikemaster replaced with the fabulous Aer Macchi MB339CB, which Kerry flew for the next three years, moving up the instructor ranks to ‘A2’, soon after which he was posted to the RNZAF 727 operation.

Thereafter followed five years of fantastic 727 flying, initially in the right seat for a few months, then captain upgrade, instructor qualification and A2 renewal and IRE. That stint saw worldwide operations, 10% of it serious VIP flying, some low level navigation (!), a few airshows, freight and generally moving people around.

That brought Kerry to 15 years RNZAF service and a decision to keep flying Boeings, this time with Emirates on the 777. Three years as an Emirates 777 First Officer then upgrade to the left chair, soon after which came qualifications as TRI, TRE, a stint as Emirates Deputy Chief Examiner and time in Emirates ‘Standards’ department (essentially command checks, instructor training and normal TRE duties). Kerry left Emirates in early 2022, approaching 22 years on the 777, having accumulated about 15,500 hours total plus about 5000 instructing in the 777 simulator.

In his spare time Kerry exercises his penchant for old racing motorcycles, is keen to rediscover the joys of underpowered piston engine aircraft, cycles a bit (less than he should) and eating. Oh, and coffee. He talks a lot. There is no truth in the rumour that he likes Triumph Herald convertibles.

Kerry believes that knowledge is useless unless the holder of the knowledge can apply it and understand it’s applicability.