Premier fighter jet makes rare stop in Cairns

Cairns was treated to a Top-Gun style show on Friday as Wing Commander Phillip Eldridge darted around the city in a $100 million F-35 fighter jet.

Cairns enjoyed a Top-Gun style show on Friday as Wing Commander Phillip Eldridge darted around the city’s skies in a $100 million F-35 fighter jet.

Wing Commander Eldridge said the F-35 Lightning II strike fighter jet was one the world’s premier fighting jets that could reach speeds of 1200km/h, making a flight to Townsville just eight minutes.

The Royal Australian Air Force has flown a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II strike fighter jet to Cairns, the first time one of the air force's fifth generation fighter jets has visited Far North Queensland. Wing Commander Phil Eldridge, Air Force cadet instructor Oliver Roper and Group Captain Stewart Dowrie in front of the F-35 Lightning II at the Cairns International Airport. Picture: Brendan Radke

“When you see me take off I’ll be doing 300km/h and it will take me about 12 seconds,” he said,

“It’s the leading edge of capability in the F-35s…. and probably the best fighter on the street right now.”

Wing Commander Eldridge said the aircraft designed for air and surface combat was in northern Australia to train the next generation of pilots.

“We have twelve F-35s in Townsville and we are graduating three pilots who will do their graduation flights on Tuesday next week,” he said.

The Royal Australian Air Force has flown a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II strike fighter jet to Cairns, the first time one of the air force's fifth generation fighter jets has visited Far North Queensland. Wing Commander Phil Eldridge executes a low pass flyover with the F-35 Lightning II over the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We come up here because it’s a great air space, great ranges and it’s good to fly in all types of weather.”

Group Captain Stewart Dowrie said it was a privilege to help bring an aircraft of that calibre to Cairns.

“I grew up here in Cairns I was a young Air Cadet excited about what aviation brought to the nation,” Group Captain Dowrie said.

“This is a place where I got excited about aviation.

“So I’m excited at the opportunity for our young children….our young adults to come out and see the excitement that the Air Force can offer.”

The Royal Australian Air Force has flown a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II strike fighter jet to Cairns, the first time one of the air force's fifth generation fighter jets has visited Far North Queensland. Air Force cadet instructor Leading Aircraftman Oliver Roper has dreams of flying the F-35 Lightning II. Picture: Brendan Radke

For Air Force cadet instructor leading Aircraftman Oliver Roper he will never forget Friday’s show.

“To see an F-35 for the first time in Cairns is awesome,” Lac (AAFC) Roper said.

“It’s a really rare and special experience to come and see this aircraft out here.

“It’s a big opportunity for the cadets to come out here… it allows them to see this aircraft and allows them to see what’s possible in the next few years.”

Originally published as Premier fighter jet makes rare stop in Cairns