A small fleet of new pilots have received their wings today, at a graduation parade in Ohakea.

Defence Force Chief Lieutenant General Tim Keating presented the brevets to the seven newly qualified Royal New Zealand Air Force pilots.

He said the ceremony is the culmination of a very demanding but rewarding training programme.

The graduates started with Initial Officer Training, before completing aviation medical training, survival training and clocking up hundreds of flying hours.

They will go on to fly A109, NH90 or Seasprite helicopters, C-130 Hercules, Boeing 757s or P-3K2 Orions.