For O’Connor Catholic College student Alexander Phillips, it’s all in a day’s work.

Alexander is a bombardier with Fleet Helicopters stationed in Armidale.

In October he received a call requesting his assistance to fly to Grafton to help contain a major fire which had already burnt out thousands of hectares of forest and was threatening several properties.

For the past year, Alexander has worked as a volunteer at Fleet Helicopters gaining considerable knowledge and insight into the industry.

Following detailed training and supervision on the use and operations of the equipment used for dropping aerial incendiaries from the chopper, Alexander was ready to take on the challenging role of bombardier.

Assisting the Rural Fire Service and State Forest Strike Force Crews to build containment lines around a number of fires, Alexander had the job of setting up the incendiary equipment and when instructed, carrying out extensive aerial ignition of the designated area.

“It’s such a cool job - the best ever. I’m so lucky I get to do all sorts of amazing things and I’m learning heaps all the time,” he said.

“I have always felt that whenever I’m flying, that’s where I belong.”

In 2010, Alexander will be the first student to undertake a school-based traineeship with Fleet Helicopters.

“It’s such an amazing opportunity, I’m so grateful to be given the chance to gain on-the-job knowledge and experience through a traineeship with Fleet,” he said.

“They’re a great bunch to work with and they have taught me so much already I can’t wait to get started.”

Fleet Helicopters pilot Mike Watson had nothing but praise for the teenager.

“Alex is a very mature young man and we at Fleet saw the potential in him early on,” he said.

“It’s unusual for someone so young to be so involved in aerial fire fighting operations but he is definitely up to the task.”

Alexander’s ultimate goal is to become a pilot engineer and own his own Huey but for now he’s flying high and living the dreams of many young men and the envy of many older ones.