Somerville student Jaryd Wetzel’s aim to fly F-35’s for the Royal Australian Air Force has been boosted by winning the Sir Reginald Ansett Scholarship for Aviation at Swinburne University.

The scholarship, established to honour the legacy of aviation pioneer Sir Reginald Ansett, is worth $30,000 over three years of study and awarded each year to a student undertaking a Bachelor of Aviation.

Jaryd Wetzel said: “Winning the Sir Reginald Ansett scholarship removes the financial stress so I can focus on my flying and give it my very best. It gives me the best opportunity for success”.

HIs love for flying started from the age of five when his father took him to the Tyabb airport most weekends where he watched the planes take off and land. It propelled him to make model planes and decorate his bedroom with airplane posters.

“My father was in the Navy and was interested in becoming a pilot but didn’t have the same opportunity as my generation. His ship was stationed with an aircraft carrier which had regular flybys of Navy fighters,” said Jaryd.

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