While still studying at university, Wes saved up and learned to fly at $12.50 per hour (while holding part time work that got him about $25/week). What with other expenses, it took a long time but he did eventually get his pilot's license, all done in an Australian designed training/touring aircraft, the Victa Airtourer 100 & 115 (fixed pitch prop and fixed gear). Glider towing (and also flying them) commenced when Wes was working at HdH in Sydney and went on for many years, contributing to his tally of flying hours in a variety of aircraft. Flying parachute sorties came quite by accident but was enjoyable. For the last 15 years he been rebuilding/refurbishing a Victa Airtourer 115 with a 160hp engine and constant speed prop. It was supposed to take only two years at the most but as most refurbishers can testify, it takes way longer. Now it is just the paperwork to complete, which is almost as big a job as the physical work and nowhere near as much fun.
