Tevita Fonua

Tevita Fonua leads the First Solo: Foundation Flight programme at Tasman Field and teaches the early phases of Shuttle Operations. He has sent more than 600 students on their first solo flight, and he still personally pours the bucket of water over every one of them.

Before joining Lumen in 2176, Tevita flew Kestrel shuttles between Oceania and Luna. He believes beginners learn fastest when they feel safe to make mistakes, and his debriefs are famously gentle and precise. He is also a mentor on the Flight Instructor Certificate course.

Tevita grew up within sight of Tasman Field and watched Sparrow Trainers from his family's farm long before he flew one. He leads the academy's community outreach in Oceania, including school visits and the First Solo scholarships funded by local hiring partners.