earn (one's) wings

(redirected from earning his wings)

earn (one's) wings

To prove one's merit and skill. I never thought much of Stu, but he really earned his wings this week with how well he handled the merger.

See also: earn, wing

References in periodicals archive ?

Army Air Corps during World War II at the age of 18 as an aviation student, earning his wings and commission in early 1945.

United States : Air Force advocate laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

He graduated from Cortland High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Forces, earning his wings and becoming a military pilot.

Philip L. Hopkins, 87

His success in earning his wings was helped by a flight simulator he built in the spare bedroom of his family home.

FLIGHT FEVER; TRAVOLTA TREAT FOR TEEN PILOT

After earning his wings and commission he served as a flight commander with the 51st Fighter Wing, in South Korea, Okinawa, and Talwan.

Lt. Gen William Henry Ginn, Jr. (1928-2010)

EARNING HIS WINGS: Tiger Brewer, eight, gets his first taste of wing-walking

He's winging it

Despite earning his wings, the prince will not be allowed to fly civilian aircraft.

ROYAL HEIR FORCE; PRINCE WILLIAM GETS HIS WINGS..FROM DAD

Jimmy Carr presents some of the most popular festive clips of all time, from George Bailey's guardian angel earning his wings in It's a Wonderful Life to the kiss Dawn shares with Tim under the mistletoe in The Office

Weekend TV; The X Factor Final, Tonight, ITV1 6.40pm & 9.10pm/Strictly Come Dancing, BBC1 6.30pm and 9.20pm

Initially a surface officer on fast minesweepers, he transferred to aviation in 1949, earning his wings in 1950.

Remembering VAdm. James Bond Stockdale, 1923-2005

After earning his wings, the lieutenant took his future bride to his parent's home in Mezotur, Hungary.

Getting his shot: 2nd Lt. Jozsef Jonas never gave up on his dream of flying

He worked his way up through training aircraft before earning his wings five years later.

A man who only makes flying visits

EARNING HIS WINGS: Jim Robinson looks calm and relaxed before making his flight.

Jim learns to fly - aged 80!

Upon earning his wings, he was assigned as a UH-1 Huey pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky., where he deployed to El Salvador.

United States : Tackett named Command Chief Warrant Officer

The prince, an officer in the Household Cavalry Regiment, has already learned to fly with the RAF, earning his wings in April.

Wills joins the special forces

He's too young to drink and too young to vote ( but high flier Michael Holmes is on cloud nine after earning his wings.

Plane crazy

He took regular lessons, costing pounds 78 a time, and clocked up 53 hours flying solo before earning his wings. Now he wants to be an aeronautical engineer in the RAF.