Training day

Challenges & opportunities in designing a new ADF pilot training system

The ADF is on the verge of a near complete replacement of its pilot training system for all three services, and is poised at a critical juncture where it must decide whether to replace existing platforms like with like, or follow the lead of countries like Singapore and the UK and adopt a systems approach.

Today ADF pilot trainees pass through a traditional, ‘stove-piped’ training structure, with only limited cross over between Air Force, Army and Navy pilot training. After flight screening, all three services’s pilot candidates undertake initial training at BFTS – Basic Flying Training School – at Tamworth. From there Air Force and Navy students progress to 2FTS (2 Flying Training School) at Pearce in WA, while Army candidates undergo further training at Tamworth before heading to the School of Army Aviation at Oakey for helicopter conversion onto the Kiowa, before progressing to operational units. Meanwhile, ‘wings’ graduates from 2FTS selected for fast jet training progress to 79SQN for lead-in fighter training on the Hawk jet, transport and maritime bound pilots transfer to their squadron for operational conversion, and Navy pilots are posted to 723SQN at Nowra for helicopter training on the Squirrel. For fast jet pilots the process continues with a second stint on Hawks with 79SQN at Williamtown, and the ‘opcon’ operational conversion on to the Hornet with 2OCU before then being posted to an operational squadron, or soon 6SQN for Super Hornet conversion.