SBLT Dale and SBLT Milton

June 26 heralded a new era in pilot training for the RAAF and RAN with the graduation of No. 183 Navy pilots course from No. 2 Flying Training School (2FTS) at RAAF Base Pearce, Western Australia.

The completion of the course was the finale of over 12 months of flying and ground training for two graduates, SBLT Sam Dale and SBLT Daryl Milton.

During their training, each graduate completed 100 hours flying time on the CT-4 trainer at the Basic Flying Training School (BFTS), Tamworth NSW and 130 hours on the Pilatus PC9 turbo-prop trainer at 2FTS.

BFTS was set up in Tamworth in 1999 to amalgamate basic common pilot competencies for the RAAF, RAN and ARA.

While at BFTS, students receive 26 weeks of training in basic flying techniques and basic aircraft theory.

On completion, the ARA students go to the ADF Helicopter School, and RAAF and RAN students attend 2FTS for advanced pilot training.

Whilst at 2FTS they receive 34 weeks of training consisting of three phases: conversion flying, advanced flying and applied flying.

The aim of the RAAF Advanced Pilots course at 2FTS is to graduate pilots capable of successfully undertaking operational conversion onto any aircraft type.

Being the first course to graduate, the new curriculum is still going through some minor changes.

When asked about the advantages of the new training, SBLT Dale said "to get an introduction on the CT-4 and then to have a little less pressure going onto a faster aircraft in the PC9, was a good thing."

SBLT Dale is originally from Kempsey, NSW.

SBLT Dale is posted to the ADF Helicopter School in Fairbairn, Canberra, to begin a 16 week helicopter training course on the AS350 Squirrel.

SBLT Milton is from Bullcreek, WA.

As a sign of the current climate, SBLT Milton, although in the RAN, will be undertaking fast jet conversion at 79 SQN.

On successful completion of fast jet conversion, he will transfer across to the RAAF.

by FLTLT Paul Reddacliff