Qantas captain Criddle, 72, was conducting an examination with Jake Anastas, 29, in a Cessna 182 when the aircraft crashed into a Jabiru flown by Khadervali Gagguturu, 60, who was undertaking a recreational flight.

The iconic Chinook can trace its history all the way back to the 1960s, with its primary role including troop transportation, artillery emplacement and battlefield resupply.

Defence said Australia’s first official astronaut would share her knowledge of space technologies with her fellow recruits alongside her expertise on how a team brings its unique skills to a common goal.

The “Air Force treasure” remained Down Under as a symbol of the connection between the two sister divisions, but originally belonged to UK's 601 Squadron before it was disbanded in 1957.