76 Squadron ground crew members at work on the Hawk at Williamtown (from left) LAC Greg Geue (in cockpit), LAC John Burn (at front of aircraft), CPL Michael Tweedie (on wing), and LAC James Budziak (at nitrogen rig). (Photograph by CPL Mark Eaton.).

Sergeant Phil Stagg lives and breathes aircraft - in particular the RAAF's latest and most talked about piece of hardware, the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter.

An aircraft technician, Staggy, as he's affectionately known around RAAF Base Williamtown, is one of 76 Squadron's senior Hawk technicians. He was one of four technical personnel who, along with six fighter pilot training instructors, travelled to the United Kingdom last year for training on the Hawk. Not to mention he's been an aircraft technician in the RAAF for 19 years, working on F-111s, Hornets, Macchis and now, Hawks.

So you could say he knows what he's talking about when it comes to aircraft.

Only introduced into service last year, the Hawk is the new fast jet trainer which will see the RAAF enter the 21st Century with the best trained pilots in the world. The Hawk has replaced the RAAF's ageing fleet of Macchi aircraft, which have provided more than 33 years' loyal service.

Staggy has described the transition from Macchi to Hawk as challenging and daunting. 'It's been a steep learning curve,' he admitted. 'When you're introducing a new aircraft into service you can prepare, but you don't really know exactly what to expect. That means you're learning as you go, and of course there are hiccups along the way.'

Sergeant Phil Stagg, is one of 76 Squadron's senior Hawk technicians and travelled to the UK last year for training on the new jet trainer.

Yet Staggy also believes being a member of the ground crew responsible for this new jet trainer is the highlight of his RAAF career. 'You get a real sense of satisfaction from seeing the aircraft in good working order,' he said. 'And if I do my job well and put the proper practices and procedures in place in the first few years, it should make life a lot easier for everyone working on the Hawk in the future.'

The transition to Hawk has meant a return to school for Staggy and the rest of the ground crew, even those who knew the Macchi inside out. 'Initial training took about four months while we were still on the hangar floor working on Macchis, then a few of us went to the UK for six weeks of hands-on training where we saw the aircraft operating and the way the flightline worked,' Staggy explained.

A major part of the ground crew's education process has been computer-based learning under the guidance of BAE SYSTEMS instructors. The change has also involved setting the hangar up with ground support equipment and developing and validating publications and procedures for the aircraft.

And this is just the beginning, according to Staggy, who said the process is continuous. 'There is still a lot to learn and we'll be continually updating as everything is refined.

'We have to get used to working on the Hawk too, because it is a lot different to the Macchi. Because they've done so much with the Hawk they have squeezed a lot in every possible space.'

While it all sounds like hard work, Staggy is in his element.

He and fellow ground crew members are happy to work behind the scenes so their aircraft can perform. 'Everyone knows the pilots are the public face of the Air Force and I'd rather it that way,' Staggy said.

The ground crew
It may not be the most glamorous, but the role of the ground crew is vital.

Put simply, they are responsible for the aircraft. They not only clean the windscreens, check the fuel and charge the batteries but ensure the engine, aircraft's systems and every wire and connection is in perfect order.

And when they hand their aircraft over to the pilots, they do so knowing it's in the peak of condition. 'It's a comfortable feeling knowing the aircraft is safe to fly and that it will come back in one piece,' Staggy said.

Story by Rebecca Bullivant