Employment Training

Royal Military College Duntroon

Following successful completion of military training at RMC, Pilot applicants complete the following employment training:

ADF Basic Flying Training Course

Duration: 26 weeks

Location: ADF Basic Flying Training School / BAe Systems Flying Training Academy, Tamworth, NSW.

The course involves approximately 99 flying hours in the CT4 Air-Trainer covering general flying, navigation, aerobatics, formation flying and instrument flying. As a military trainee pilot you will cover various aspects of ground instruction prior to and during your course. The first week is used to complete an aviation medicine course covering the physiological aspects of flying. The syllabus will include training in General Flying (GF), Instrument Flying (IF), Night Flying (NF), Formation (FORM), and Navigation (NAV).

• Phase 1- Instruction in GF includes manoeuvres such as basic aerobatics, low flying, spinning and emergency handling. IF instruction covers basic instrument interpretation skills and orientation using radio aids (NDB and VOR). Some simulator flying is conducted. The NAV component of the course introduces medium level cross-country navigation and the student is progressed to a safe solo standard.
• Phase 2 - The first part of this phase involves consolidation of GF. IF includes instrument approaches (NDB, VOR and ILS), Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) procedures and emergency handling. NAV includes combinations of medium and low level navigation with 'time on target'. Night NAV and the principles of IFR navigation are also introduced. NF is consolidated. FORM is introduced with equal development of lead and wing skills to solo standard in a pairs formation.

Ground training will also be conducted in Aerodynamics, Aircraft Systems, Airmanship, Air Power, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Medicine, Cockpit Systems, Meteorology, Morse Code and navigation.

Intermediate Pilots Course (IPC)

Duration: 12 weeks

Location: ADF Basic Flying Training School / BAe Systems Flying Training Academy, Tamworth, NSW.

On completion of the Basic Pilots course Army students transition to the Intermediate Pilots Course (IPC). The IPC consists of 2 weeks of formation flying culminating in a Form solo, 5 weeks of Advanced Navigation including Medium Level NAV, Night NAV and Low Level NAV. The NAV phase concludes with a Medium Level to Low Level NAV test. The final 5 weeks of the IPC is devoted to Advanced Instrument Flight (IF) where the students conduct IF NAV including diversions and instrument approaches using the VOR, DME and ILS.

Helicopter Qualification Course (HQC)

Duration: 24 weeks

Location: School of Army Aviation, located at Oakey, QLD.

During this course, trainees will receive approximately 104 flying hours in the Kiowa helicopter. The course builds on the experience gained in fix wing training, introduces participants to rotary-wing aircraft and develops basic helicopter flying skills. It then introduces advanced flying skills and basic helicopter tactical skills.

Graduation from this course will see Officer Cadets promoted to 2nd Lieutenants and the awarding of their flying "wings".

Operational Type Transition Course (OTT)

Duration: 12 weeks

Location: School of Army Aviation, Oakey, QLD.

Having completed HQC, trainees now train on their allocated operational type of aircraft. The OTT course consists of up to 50 flying hours of transition training and includes the use of advanced simulators.

Regimental Officers' Basic Course (ROBC)

Duration: 12 weeks

Location: School of Army Aviation, Oakey, QLD.

The ROBC consists of 30 to 40 flying hours (depending on helicopter type) of tactical flying on helicopters. The Regimental Officers' Basic Course teaches the trainee how to operate the aircraft in support of Army and ADF units. On completion of this course graduating trainees will be posted to an operational rotary wing unit.