2FTS fly into formation
Ex Capricorn Sunset in Learmonth

By PTE John Wellfare

A 2FTS PC-9 prepares for takeoff at RAAF Base Pearce.

Photo by PTE John Wellfare

* 2FTS students deployed to RAAF Base Learmonth for two weeks of formation flying training on Exercise Capricorn Sunset. Trainee pilots practice a number of manoeuvres in close and combat formations.

While students learn formations in pairs, 2FTS instructors show what is possible with more training and practice.

Photo by CPL Gary Dixon

TRAINEE pilots from No. 2 Flying Training School deployed to RAAF Base Learmonth recently for three weeks of training in formation flying on Exercise Ca0pricorn Sunset.

OC B Flight Squadron Leader Richard Dell said flying in formation was a unique challenge that always produced mixed results among the course.

“Certainly it’s not always the best pilots that do the best at formation,” he said. “It’s an individual thing. Some of the students are more talented towards it, I guess, and others have a bit more of a tough time.”

The new pilots were trained and tested in close formation flying, combat formation flying and a number of manoeuvres in formation.

Pilot Officer Peter Tippner, from No. 202 Pilots Course, which deployed on Exercise Capricorn Sunset from April 16 to May 6, said formation training had been an enjoyable part of the course syllabus for most students.

“It’s pretty much unlike anything we’ve done before,” he said. “It’s a lot more hands and feet rather than mental, so that respect is good and coming up to Learmonth – it’s the first time we’ve really been deployed away from Pearce.

“It’s good just to see a new area and the way [the Air Force works] out of an uncontrolled aerodrome. We’ve got a lot more freedom in the airspace up here – there’s a lot less traffic than at Pearce.

“I wouldn’t say it’s harder. It is more challenging flying, but it’s definitely one of the more enjoyable parts of the course.”

After the formation phase, students moved on to navigation training, which teaches trainee pilots to navigate while undertaking a number of, often quite long, flights over Western Australia.

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