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Cadets
Dion Caramalis and Juanita Diaz prepare an aircraft for
flight.
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Photos
by LAC Casey Smith
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Cadet
Marcel Grovott with the aircraft he flew in.
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RADIAL engines ruled the skies over RAAF Base Edinburgh over the
weekend of October 2-4 when 13 Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC)
from wings around Australia took to the skies for their national
flying standardisation exercise.
The exercise was an assessment of the flying training the cadets
are receiving at various flying camps as well as other AAFC flying training activities.
It provides them invaluable experience in flying new aircraft,
in an unfamiliar area and with new instructors.
Seven of the cadets trained on GOB 115 trainer aircraft, while
the other six flew gliders at Gawler. Giving up their weekend
to assist were a range of base personnel, including air traffic controllers.
Flight Lieutenant Scott Parry, the course coordinator, said the
cadets performed well. “They were enthusiastic and enjoyed the
challenge of operating a different type of aircraft than most
were normally used to,” FLTLT Parry said.
“After the assessment was completed, there was less than a 2.5
percent variation in the scores for the powered flying, which
shows that the training the cadets have been receiving is at a
consistent level. The gliding had a higher level of variation,
but still was of a high quality.
“The instructors were pleased with the standard shown by all cadets,
many of whom have indicated an interest in an Air Force career,
both as air crew and in other categories.”
According to FLTLT Parry, the weather was perfect, with almost
no cloud and about 22°C.
He said this wasn’t quite hot enough for good thermalling in the
gliders, but the exercise was more about aircraft handling than
the ability to find a thermal.
“From my point of view, the exercise was a success,” he said.
“The standard of flying skill displayed by the cadets was high,
they all were motivated towards achieving their personal best
in the exercise and had a great time mixing with other cadets
interested in aviation.”
The annual exercise is rotated between bases. Each state is allowed
to send two cadets per discipline.
Participation
Eligibility
For
the powered flight, students must:
