WONZ 274 – Jason “Easty” Easthope

Guest: Group Captain Jason Easthope, RAAF

Hosts: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 16th of May 2023

Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes, 41 seconds

In this episode Dave Homewood talks via Zoom with Group Captain Jason Easthope, RAAF. Born in Rotorua, New Zealand, Easty became inspired by a visit of the RNZAF Strikemasters to Rotorua, and an airshow they had that included a couple of Skyhawks.

At the age of 17 he was selected for pilot training in the RNZAF, and he talks about training on the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer, and progressing to the BAC167 Strikemaster. He then became one of the first bunch of RNZAF pilots to fly the new Aermacchi MB339CB ‘Macchis’. Next came conversion to the McDonnell Douglas Skyhawk with No. 2 Squadron RNZAF, based at Nowra, NSW, in Australia.

Following the completion of his Skyhawk training at Nowra, Jason returned to Ohakea and was posted to No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, again flying Skyhawks.

In 1996 Jason was selected for an exchange posting to the RAF which saw him undergo an eight week course at RAF Valley on BAe Hawks, before joining No. 6 Squadron RAF, flying Sepecat Jaguars.

On returning to the RNZAF, Jason returned did an instructor’s course at the Central Flying School at Ohakea, and then returned to Nowra as an instructor. During this time he narrowly escaped death when practicing an aerobatic manoeuvre that killed his CO, Squadron Leader Murray Neilson, who he was paired up with at the time. Jason was promoted to lead the squadron as a result, but shortly afterwards the unit was wound down due to the Air Combat Wing disbandment.

After deliberation, Jason decided to leave the RNZAF and to join the Royal Australian Air Force. He spent time instructing on the BAe Hawk there and then converted onto the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. This would become the aircraft that he has spent most of his RAAF career flying, serving on four Hornet units over time, and becoming the Chief of Staff for fighter operations in the RAAF. He was commander when the Hornets retired in 2021.

Jason then moved into his current role, as Commanding Officer of No. 100 Squadron RAAF. This is the RAAF’s Heritage Aircraft Fleet, which flies and displays an array of WWII and postwar trainers, fighters and bombers, with bases at RAAF Point Cook, and at Temora.

Quick Links:

• The Royal New Zealand Air Force

• The Royal Australian Air Force

• No. 100 Squadron RAAF

• Temora Aviation Museum’s Facebook Page