Navy pilot lands helicopter on Carlingford High School oval

Navy chopper lands on Carlingford High School oval for career day.

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It’s not every day that students get an aerial show during lunch.

Year 10 students from Carlingford High School were treated to a helicopter fly- over thanks to former student Lieutenant Aaron Cochrane.

“It’s great to be back here,” Lieut. Cochrane said. “The school’s motto is adventure in learning and that’s been true for me, I like to see where things go and explore.”

Lieutenant Aaron Cochrane landed his helicopter at his old high school; Carlingford High School for careers day.

Lieut. Cochrane graduated in 2009 and joined the navy.

Last week he took time out of his busy schedule to bring his AS350 BA Squirrel Helicopter in to land on the oval before flying off to the US to learn with the Seahawks helicopter.

“For us this is a standard landing, but it’s good to put a smile on the student’s faces and I love coming back and saying hello.”

Lieut. Cochrane gave a fly over and speech to inspire year 10 students to think big with their careers after high school.

Year 10 student Hala Safi was more than a little excited.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a week, more than a week,” she said. “The propellers are so amazing.”

Classmate Andrew Bidney said the chance to see the helicopter up-close was important not just for himself but for the school.

“I believe this is a great experience for our school,” he said.

“I think that having an officer from the navy really gives us an insight into job opportunities in the future for us.”