If you are selected for air force pilot training you will be trained to become a vital cog within the RAAF machine.
Flying training in the Royal Australian Air Force, will produce trained pilots and it will also enhance officer development and qualities.
Note: There are two means of completing air force pilot training in the RAAF. Applicants can obtain their degree through the Australian Defence Force Academy before undertaking air force pilot training.
As well, a student pilot can begin air force pilot training immediately after completing Year 12 at Secondary School.
Initial Officer Course - 16 Weeks
Once joining the Royal Australian AirForce, direct entry officers will undertake the Initial Officer Course which lasts for 16 weeks. This is completed at RAAF Base East Sale, which is located 220 kilometres east of Melbourne.
Here you will learn
Australian Defence Force Academy
Once signing your life away to the Academy, you will complete six weeks of military training to prepare you for military life.
As an Air Force trainee pilot you will commence with Basic Flight Training at ADFBFTS. The course duration is 25 weeks and consists of two phases, basic and advanced flying.
You will receive 62.8 hours of flying during the course. All flying, in this phase, is done on the CT4B aircraft.
The syllabus will include training in
The Basic Phase consists of basic instruction in aerobatics, spinning and emergency handling. IF instruction covers instrument flying. The NAV component will introduce you to cross-country navigation.
The Advanced phase consists of advanced training in aerobatics and further development of emergency handling skills.
During all phases of training you will have to attend ground school. Topics covered will include
Once you have successfully completed Basic Flight Training, you will proceed to 2FTS for Advanced Training. Here you will fly on the PC9/A, a sporty and maneuverable aeroplane. Both the Americans and Canadians use this airplane for flight training.
The course is approximately 37 weeks long and you will obtain 119 hours of flying. Here you will also be introduced to more advanced military flying skills which will include low-level navigation and formation flying.
After successfully completing Advanced Training you will go on to learn to fly your respective airframes. You can continue to fly on helicopters, mulit engine aircraft, or fighter jets.