By MAJ Kevin Gibbons
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CAF
Air Marshal Angus Houston with the D.J. Knights Trophy winner
SQNLDR Chet Takalkar.
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Photo
by CPL Rob Hack
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THE
D.J. Knights Memorial Trophy has been awarded to Squadron Leader
Chet Takalkar for his outstanding contributions in support of
ADF flight test and Defence Materiel Organisation acquisition
programs for modifications of training and heavy aircraft.
SQNLDR Takalkar contributed to the air-to-air refuelling aircraft
acquisition, navigation training aircraft program and the AP-3C
testing, such as the advanced flight simulator and Star Safire
3. He also won the “Sky Pig Award,” presented to the
test aircrew with the most hours airborne.
The presentation was made at the Aircraft Research and Development
Unit (ARDU) awards ceremony on November 5 at the RAAF Base Edinburgh
Officers’ Mess.
The event, named in remembrance of Squadron Leader Derek J. Knights,
the Air Force’s only test pilot to be killed in a flight
trial, celebrated ARDU’s flight test accomplishments over
the past year and recognised individual contributions.
The Sir James Roland trophy for excellence in design engineering
was presented to Squadron Leader Kevin Boobyer for his outstanding
contributions in the areas of electromagnetic interference and
electromagnetic compatibility for miniature munitions and C-130
support projects.
The Director’s Award for Excellence in Aircraft Stores Clearance
trophy for significantly enhancing the operational effectiveness
and suitability of current or future Australian aerospace combat
capabilities was presented to a team of four – Flight Lieutenant
Nandor Balogh, Sergeant Reece Twible, Sergeant Michael Tenaglia,
and Graham Akroyd.
The team demonstrated excellence in the conduct of the flight
test demonstration involving the Powered Low-Cost Autonomous Attack
System from the F-111.
