Instructor Reportedly 'Blacked Out' During Training Flight

A student pilot taking his third flying lesson made a successful emergency landing at Jandakot Airport in Perth, Australia after his instructor reportedly blacked out during the flight.

The Australian Broadcasting Company reports that the student pilot, identified as 29-year-old Max Sylvester, was flying a Cessna 150 for the first time. His wife and three children were watching from the ground. About an hour into the flight, he realized there was a problem.

On an audio recording captured by Air Traffic Control, Sylvester can be heard saying the instructor was "leaning on my shoulder. I'm trying to keep him up, but he keeps falling down."

Sylvester then told the controller it was his first lesson in the airplane.

The controller was able to talk Sylvester through a successful landing at the airport. At one point, when the controller says he is doing well, Sylvester quipped "well, my flight instructor did say I was the best student he'd had."

ABC reports that Sylvester was awarded a certificate for his first solo flight following the incident, though it was likely not the first solo he envisioned when he began taking lessons.

And his wife would not let him drive home.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report