By
FLGOFF Harriet Pointon
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Student
pilot Lee (centre) with her rescuers from 2FTS (L-R) FLGOFF
Jonathon Morgan, FLTLT Grant Fichera, FLGOFF Chris Birrer,
FLGOFF Scott Hyland. Photo by CPL Gary Dixon
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A
ROUTINE navigational exercise for four No. 2 Flying Training School
pilots turned into an unexpected rescue mission recently.
Instructor Flight Lieutenant Grant Fichera was flying to Kalgoorlie
during a navigation exercise as part of a two-aircraft formation,
when he overheard radio communications between Melbourne Radar
Centre and a lost civilian student pilot.
The last known position of the aircraft was 40nm south of FLTLT
Fichera’s position and he realised that he may be able to
offer assistance.
He cancelled the navigation exercise and made radio contact with
Melbourne Radar Centre and the lost pilot.
By consulting maps, using visual land marks and maintaining radio
contact with the lost pilot, FLTLT Fichera and his co-pilot, Flying
Officer Scott Hyland, were able to narrow down the lost pilot
to an area north east of Ballidu where they undertook a search
for the aircraft.
Meanwhile, the lost pilot had been able to find one of the railway
lines in the area and had started an orbit at an intersection
of a north south/east west rail line, awaiting the arrival of
the Air Force.
“It wouldn’t have been a problem for her if she was
able to climb above the cloud,” FLTLT Fichera said. “If
her aircraft had been able to do that then Melbourne would have
been able to pick her up on the radar.”
While the civilian pilot had more than five hours of fuel on board,
FLTLT Fichera and FLGOFF Hyland were quickly doing their own fuel
calculations, which were then checked by Flying Officer Jonathon
Morgan and Flying Officer Chris Birrer in the second aircraft.
“The lost pilot had ample fuel, it was the time of day and
lack of daylight hours which were of more concern for her. We
were mindful of our fuel status. We checked and rechecked our
fuel calculations to ensure we remained within limits as we conducted
the search,” FLTLT Fichera said.
The lost pilot was escorted back to RAAF Base Pearce, where she
then made her way to Jandakot Airport and landed safely as last
light fell.
“It certainly could have had a very different ending if we
hadn’t been there,” FLTLT Fichera said. “We were
just happy to be able to assist. Anyone would have done the same
if they had been in the area, it just happened it was us on the
day.”
The Jandakot Aero Club and the lost pilot expressed their sincere
thanks to 2FTS pilots the next morning when they were invited
to Jandakot for a coffee and debrief.
