Sky's no limit for graduate awarded rare honour

Defence Minister Ron Mark presents Pilot Officer George Bellamy with the Baigent Memorial Shield....
Defence Minister Ron Mark presents Pilot Officer George Bellamy with the Baigent Memorial Shield. PHOTO: NZDF
Inspired by helicopter hero Sir Richard Hayes, an Arrowtown man has graduated from the Royal New Zealand Air Force wings course with a rare honour.

Pilot Officer George Bellamy (21) was presented with the Baigent Memorial Shield, for exceptional results during training, by Minister of Defence Ron Mark at the RNZAF base at Ohakea on Friday.

The shield, the highest accolade for graduates, has been awarded only eight times since its inception in 1955.

P Offr Bellamy was also presented with the De Lange Trophy, as the pilot gaining the highest final flying mark.

Raised in Arrowtown, P Offr Bellamy attended Arrowtown Primary School and Wakatipu High School.

He was one of seven new pilots to receive their pilots' brevets.

Proud father Lindsay Bellamy said military training was his son's first flying experience.

He had wanted to be an architect from about the age of 8.

``It wasn't until we saw a documentary about `Sir Hannibal' Hayes down in Te Anau, and then George said `I want to be a helicopter pilot','' Mr Bellamy said.

``It took him three goes to get in - three goes, but he never gave up.

``It's a shout out to all his teachers over the years at Arrowtown Primary and Wakatipu High Schools.

P Offr Bellamy trained in Beechcraft T-6C Texan II planes during the 15-month course at Ohakea, near Palmerston North.

He has been posted to 3 Squadron to learn to fly helicopters.

The shield is named after Wing Commander CH Baigent, DSO, DFC, AFC.

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