How Zach Briggs revitalises scrap aircraft

How Zach Briggs combined a creative streak with military know-how to turn scrap aircraft parts into high-end furniture.

When Zach Briggs joined the Air Force in 2006, his first job was to work on Caribous as an avionics technician. The venerable aircraft was first introduced to the RAAF in 1963 and flew for more than 45 years seeing action in Vietnam. Still, it was of its time.

“It was very hands-on,” says Briggs. “If a radio broke, there were no spares, so we had to fix it ourselves. We’d take it to the workshop, pull it apart and diagnose the problem. It was challenging and rewarding, and I used the skills I learned at the academy.”