21/08/2026
Hello All,
It is with great sadness that I pass on the news of the passing of FLTLT(AAFC) Eddie Pike, one of the most prominent flying training personalities in the history of NSW AIRTC and 3 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets. Eddie's extraordinary service spanned more than five decades, during which he became a familiar and highly respected figure within NSW AIRTC/AAFC and in particular, the cadet aviation program. His contribution to the organisation was immense, influencing generations of cadets, pilots, instructors and aviation leaders simply leaving a legacy that few could equal.
Eddie's involvement with AIRTC aviation began in 1974 when, as a Civilian Member he attended the inaugural NSW AIRTC gliding courses at Camden, performing duties as both an aero-tow pilot and gliding theory instructor. Later that year he was appointed to the RAAF Reserve as a Pilot Officer and posted to 7 Flight NSW AIRTC at RAAF Base Bankstown, a unit with which he would maintain a long association.
Following the reformation of the Air Training Corps, Eddie continued serving with 7 Flight AIRTC for many years, before later serving with 9 (Flying) Flight and subsequently the newly formed 327 (Gliding) Flight, which through various name changes, ultimately became today's Bathurst Flight, Gliding Training School.
Across more than five decades, Eddie became one of the defining personalities of NSW AIRTC/AAFC flying training. In addition to being a highly experienced Level 3 Gliding Instructor, he served in numerous flying, instructional and leadership roles, including Aero-Tow Master, Deputy Flight Commander, Flight Commander and Gliding Curriculum Project Officer with the Aviation Operations Directorate, where he was promoted to Squadron Leader. Eddie also performed the practical functions of Chief Flying Instructor on 3 Wing gliding courses over many years.
The scale of Eddie's flying contribution is difficult to comprehend. It is estimated that he flew well in excess of 15,000 sorties as an AIRTC/AAFC Gliding Instructor alone, apart from the thousands of hours he accumulated as an aero-tow pilot. Few, if any AIRTC/AAFC pilots in the history of the organisation could claim a comparable contribution to cadet flying training. His aviation experience extended beyond gliding and fixed-wing powered aircraft as Eddie was also an accomplished helicopter pilot.
Outside the AIRTC and AAFC, Eddie was equally accomplished. He had a long distinguished career after Teachers College as a NSW Police officer and was one of the first fixed-wing pilots with the NSW Police Air Wing, happily spending some of that time harassing speeding drivers across NSW! His professional aviation background brought an extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience to the AIRTC and AAFC, which he generously passed on to all those who flew and instructed alongside him.
Perhaps the best measure of Eddie's contribution, however, is not found in appointments, flying hours or sortie numbers, but in the generations of aviators who progressed under his instruction and mentorship.
For many of us, Eddie was the instructor who first taught us to fly as young cadets and the person who trusted us to take an aircraft on our first solo. Years later, he was still there when some of those same cadets returned as adults to become flying instructors themselves. As their experience grew, Eddie continued to provide guidance as they became aero-tow pilots, senior instructors, Chief Flying Instructors and aviation leaders responsible for training the next generation.
That continuity is an extraordinary legacy. Eddie did not simply teach people how to fly, he helped develop generations of instructors who then went on to teach generations of their own. His knowledge, judgement and humble approach to flying instruction became embedded within the organisation through the people he trained and mentored. Plus an evil sense of humour passed down!
I am personally one of those many people. Eddie taught me to fly as a cadet and sent me solo. Years later, he trained me as an aero-tow pilot, taught me to become a flying instructor and as my own responsibilities grew, continued to mentor and guide me as Chief Flying Instructor. My experience is simply one example of a story that has been repeated, in different forms, across countless cadets, pilots, instructors and leaders throughout Eddie's remarkable service.
It is difficult to identify another individual whose personal contribution to AIRTC and AAFC flying training has spanned so many decades or touched so many aviators.
On behalf of Bathurst Flight, Gliding Training School, and personally as Chief Flying Instructor, I extend our deepest condolences to Eddie's family, friends and the generations of AIRTC and AAFC members who had the privilege of knowing him, flying with him and learning from him.
We also extend our respects to the members of Southern Cross Gliding Club, where Eddie's extraordinary aviation journey began as a 13-year-old boy who would hitchhike from southern Sydney to the gliding club simply to pursue his passion for flight. More than six decades later, that passion had never left him. Only 3 weeks ago he was discussing with me “handing up his flying boots”
More than 60 years of aviation. More than 50 years of instructing and service. In excess of 15,000 instructional sorties. Thousands of flying hours. Generations of aviators taught, mentored and inspired.
Blue skies and fair winds Fast Eddie. Your contribution was extraordinary, and your legacy will continue every time one of the pilots or instructors you influenced takes to the sky.
And finally, one little piece of Eddie's legacy that many probably don't know. The current AAFC flying brevet worn by our commercial pilots and flying instructors was designed by Eddie. If you've ever thought the wings bear a suspicious resemblance to the NSW Police Air Wing wings, that's probably not entirely accidental! Eddie clearly wasn't going to let his time with the Police Air Wing go to waste when somebody handed him a pencil and asked him to design a set of wings.
So, in addition to the thousands of sorties, the generations of aviators and more than half a century of flying instruction, Eddie left us something quite literally to wear on our chests.
A fitting legacy from a man who spent most of his life giving others their wings.
Cheers BGB
Billy Gleeson-Barker
Chief Flying Instructor
BTH-FLT GTS
