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Graduates
of No.46 Basic Observer Course are L to R, SBLT Stewart
Mathies, SBLT Helen Anderson (Best Practical Observer, Highest
Academic Assessment and course Dux), Comausnavairgrp CDRE
Geoff Ledger and ASLT Daniel Hampton.
Photo by CPL Katrina Johnson
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By LCDR
Tony Milsom
The
Navy welcomed three new Observers into it’s aviation fold
in a combined graduation ceremony at RAAF East Sale late last
month.
Navy
and Air Force received three new Observers and four new Navigators
in a ceremony that was reviewed by the Commander Australian Naval
Aviation Group, CDRE Geoff Ledger.
For
the Observers, graduates of No.46 Basic Observer Course, this
day represented the culmination of 39 weeks of intense ground
and flight training in the B200 Super Kingair aircraft.
They
flew the B200 extensively throughout VIC, SA, TAS, NSW and QLD,
and overseas to Noumea.
These
Observers will now join 723 SQN at HMAS Albatross to complete
a basic rotary conversion course on the AS350BA Squirrel helicopter
prior to joining 816, 805 or 817 SQNs to fly the Seahawk, Super
Seasprite or Sea King helicopters.
The
graduates also enjoy the distinction of being the last group to
complete their flight training on the four B200 Super Kingair
aircraft that were previously operated by 32 SQN RAAF.
These
aircraft are in the process of being replaced by seven brand new
B300 Super Kingairs that are slightly longer, heavier, and of
higher performance than the previous type.
The
Senior Naval Officer at RAAF Base East Sale, LCDR Tony Milsom,
said that “achieving the required level of proficiency in
front right-hand seat cockpit duties in this high performance,
twin-engined, multi-system aircraft is quite a challenge for our
students.”
“Navy
requires students to achieve this level of proficiency in order
to produce junior Observers who are capable of meeting the very
challenging demands of Seahawk/Super Seasprite TACCO employment,”
he said.
“The
challenge for our instructor staff is to provide consistently
outstanding Basic Observer Course training to meet Navy’s
Aviation FEG requirements.”
