My Career
Join a crew with a view
By FLGOFF Skye Smith

Volume 49, No. 02, February 22, 2007
 
WINDOW SEAT: 11SQN flight engineer SGT Mark Medwell prepares to run through his pre-flight checks in the cockpit of an AP-3C at RAAF Base Edinburgh. Applications for remuster to FLTENG are now open.
Photo by CPL Andrew Eddie
 
After 13 years as an avionics technician, SGT Mark Medwell decided he was ready for the challenges the flight engineer (FLTENG) mustering had to offer.

“I love the travel and the camaraderie with your crew is fantastic,” SGT Medwell said of his experiences with crew 5 of 11SQN at RAAF Base Edinburgh.

“As a FLTENG, you never know what to expect when you turn up for work. Every day is different,” he said.

“An average week might involve flying twice, whether it is on a PCT (pilot continuation training), TACEX (tactical exercise) or working in the AFS (Advanced Flying Simulator), and there is always plenty of study that can be done.”

Gearing up to celebrate the first anniversary of his remuster, SGT Medwell finds the FLTENG mustering very rewarding.

“It is a great feeling if something goes wrong and you are able to find the problem and fix it so that the mission can go ahead,” he said.

SGT Medwell is preparing for his third tour of the MEAO and has gone on numerous deployments with Operations Resolute and Relex, and exercises to Fiji and San Diego.

“There aren’t too many jobs where you can get paid to travel not only around Australia but the world and can do so sitting in the best seat in the house,” he said.

Despite the obvious advantages, he warned potential FLTENG applicants to expect working long days and weekends while on course.

“There is a lot of study to do on course and it can be very challenging at times. But you form strong bonds with your course mates and start developing a crew mentality where you help each other through,” he said.

The AP-3C FLTENG conversion course runs for 10 months and is conducted at 292SQN, but it takes about a year to complete the full training requirements, including aviation medicine, combat survival, airmen aircrew and SGT promotion courses.

SGT Medwell recommends potential applicants thoroughly prepare themselves for the mustering before applying. “Really make yourself known amongst the FLTENG fraternity and do as much work experience as you can,” he said.

He also suggests applicants make sure they have a general understanding of the different aircraft types, what is expected on the job, and encourages them to ask lots of questions.

Entry to the FLTENG mustering is open to serving members applying for remuster.

To be eligible for remuster to FLTENG, applicants must have a minimum of three years experience in an aircraft technical mustering and have passes in year 10 English and mathematics.

For more information on becoming a FLTENG, check out the People Central Website under Career Progression/Job Descriptions, or contact HQSRG Airmen Aircrew Manager WOFF David Strauss on (08) 8393 4143 or FSGT Dave Obst from DP-AF on (02) 6265 1174.