Squadron Leader Michael Williams is from Dargaville and completed a Bachelor of Aviation degree before joining the RNZAF in 2003. He was posted to the P3 Orion flying as a co-pilot and captain around the Pacific, Antarctica, Australia, Asia, and the UK. Michael was posted to the RNZAF Flying Instructor’s Course in 2009 before taking a year’s leave from the service to fly Tiger Moth and Yak 52 aircraft for a commercial operation in Australia. Upon return to the RNZAF he obtained an instructor exchange posting to the Royal Australian Air Force flying the PC-9/A until 2016. Michael is currently flying the T-6C Texan II as an A-Category Qualified Flying Instructor and Maintenance Check Pilot at the Central Flying School. He was previously the inaugural flight commander of the Air Force Heritage Flight, 2018/19 Texan solo display pilot, and a member of the RNZAF Black Falcons. Michael’s passion for warbirds has seen him qualified on various aircraft types including the SE5a, RE8, and BE2, through to the Harvard, P-40, Avenger and Strikemaster.
