In Active Service

Tony Self Reviews the Australian Operational Commands

Part I: Flight Training

The Australian Defence Forces operate almost 600 aircraft of over 20 types, and there is obviously a need to provide highly skilled aircrew to man these expensive pieces of military equipment. The Royal Australian Air Force provides most of the training facilities for RAAF, RAN, and Army aircrew in addition to some foreign military personnel.

The RAAF has set up the Aircrew Training Scheme, which is responsible for training pilots and navigators for the armed forces. Pilots are trained initially at Point Cook in Victoria, after which they receive advanced training at Pearce, north-east of Perth. Navigators and Observers (the Navy equivalent) are trained at East Sale in the Victorian Gippsland. There are opportunities for non-commissioned airmen to crew various aircraft as Flight Engineers, Flight Stewards, Crewmen, and Loadmasters. Specialist training courses for these musterings are conducted at squadrons that operate the particular aircraft. Flight Engineers are responsible for the in-flight monitoring of engine operation. They are employed by Hercules, Boeing 707, and Orion operating squadrons. Loadmasters ensure that aircraft are loaded correctly and that the load remains secure throughout the flight. Hercules and Caribou squadrons carry “ladies”. Crewmen serve with helicopter squadrons and assist in various duties ranging from nursing wounded soldiers to operating side-mounted machine guns. Flight Stewards serve with the VIP BAC 111s, Dassault Mysteries, HS-748 and the Boeing 707s.

Prospective pilots and navigators are selected from applicants all over Australia including servicemen. Entry requirements and selection procedures are identical for both pilot and navigator courses. Those selected are given the rank of Cadet Aircrew (CDTAC) and are flown to their training schools to commence an intensive course which will take over one year to complete.

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