Flying passion took off young

Dan Veale (left) and Jordan Kean gear up for another flight in a Cessna 152 at Mainland Air at ...
Dan Veale (left) and Jordan Kean gear up for another flight in a Cessna 152 at Mainland Air at Dunedin International Airport. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Dan  (left) and Jordan play together at kindergarten in Otatara. Photo supplied.
Dan (left) and Jordan play together at kindergarten in Otatara. Photo supplied.

They have been wing men since kindergarten, but Dan Veale and Jordan Kean's friendship is still flying high.

The 20-year-olds recently gained their B-category instructor's rating to go along with their private pilot's licence, commercial pilot's licence, multi-engine instrument rating, diploma in aviation and C-category instructor's rating.

While the best friends now have their wings, their friendship started when they were barely out of the nest.

Mr Veale and Mr Kean met at kindergarten in Otatara and attended Otatara School together.

Mr Veale said his passion for flying had come from his best friend's interest.

''I have always had an interest in aviation from a young age ... but I got into flying through Jordan,'' he said.

''I originally wanted to be a digger driver when I was 2 or 3, but I went for a flight with Jordan and his dad, Phil.

''We got into the aeroplane and midway through, he said `you have a go' and I was hooked from then.''

Mr Kean said flying was always a part of his life.

''I got to fly with Dad a lot from before I can even remember. [For me] it's always been flying, nothing else,'' he said.

The pair work as instructors and charter pilots for Mainland Air.

Mr Kean's father, Phil, is the chief executive of the company.

The pair began flight training during school holidays when they were aged 14.

Both started a professional pilot's course in 2011, as soon as their last school exams were completed.

The pair hoped to achieve their A-category instructor's rating, but Mr Veale had more pressing matters this year.

''I'm getting married at the end of the year and Jordan's my best man,'' he said.

Their friendship was as close as Hollywood's most famous flying friends, Maverick and Goose, they said.

''It's a requirement to watch Top Gun for all pilots, I think,'' Mr Veale said.

''I'd probably be the Goose,'' he added with a laugh.

• Mainland Air is holding an open day on Saturday from 10am.

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