Chinchilla teen breaks Aussie flight record with 150 takeoffs in one day

A Chinchilla teen with plans to join the air force has broken her teacher’s flight record, completing a staggering 150 takeoffs and landings in one day.

Sophie Scutchings from Kangawallafox Flight School has broken an Australian flight record for most takeoffs and landings in one day. Photo: Contributed.

Just one year ago Sophie ‘Valkyrie’ Scutchings had never flown a plane but now she is the proud owner of an Australian flight record earned under the watchful eyes of her teacher and former record holder Cameron ‘Sparrow’ Obst.

In March last year the Chinchilla pilot broke the Australian record for most takeoffs and landings in one day, completing 145 and raising $20,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors service.

Mr Obst then launched the Kangawallafox Flight School in October, naming it in honour of his one-of-a-kind home built Kangawallafox 19-1678 plane which he used to break the record

After the launch of his school, Mr Obst created a scholarship program providing 20 hours of free flight training to one student from Chinchilla State High School and one from Chinchilla Christian College.

Sophie was one of these students.

Sophie Scutching is the first student of Cameron Obst flight school.

Taking to the skies on Sunday, the 17-year-old completed 150 circuits beating the former record of 145 and raising money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

She said it was exciting seeing her dream come to fruition.

“It feels so good, I’ve been thinking about it for so long and to actually do it feels really cool, I’m glad I was able to raise so much money as well, around $15,000,” she said.

“We woke up early on the day (and) we’d done an inspection on the plane the day before, I took off at about 6.10am, luckily it wasn't too windy.

“I stopped for a break every 25 circuits, I was doing 25 circuits every 50 minutes and I was finished by 2pm.

“We were worried it was going to rain because it was forecast for thunderstorms but luckily they stayed away and everything ran smoothly.”

Sophie Scutchings break the take off and landing record completing 150 circuits.

Sophie encouraged other people to get involved in the flight school which had changed her life.

“It's been so great, it has really helped me find my passion. I didn't know what I wanted to do with myself but I just love flying, I want to get paid to fly cool aeroplanes,” she said.

“Absolutely just do it, it's a fantastic experience, Cam is so patient and kind, he has such a comprehensive program set out and he makes it easy.

“If you’re thinking about it come and do it.”

Mr Obst said he was honoured to see his student break his record.

“It feels great, when I set the record on the day I said I would love it if one of my students broke my record and now Sophie has done it,” he said.

“It went off without a hitch, it was great, plenty of people came to watch, the plane, Sophie everything performed great.

“Sophie was a bit of a dream student she was solo within three weeks when I started to train her, she flys nearly every week, comes out hires the planes and just absolutely loves it.

“She's a natural, a real duck to water.”

Sophie Scutchings plans to join the air force next year.

He said Sophie now planned to continue her flight journey by joining the air force.

“She wasn't really sure what she wanted to do when she finished school but she decided she loves flying so much that she will apply for the air force,” he said.

“She missed the application for this year and I had a chat to her and asked how she would feel working as a flight instructor, she was keen so she will work for me as a flight instructor in her gap year.

“I’m so proud to take someone who had no idea how to fly, to not only teach them to fly then for her to break my record but for her to go on her to get her instructor rating join the air force.

“She needs to take so much pride in that because that's her achievement, at the same time I’m really proud because I got to help her realise what she wanted to do.”

Donations to Ms Scutchings’ fundraiser can be made here.

Originally published as Chinchilla teen breaks Aussie flight record with 150 takeoffs in one day