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Looking for an exciting aviation career? Then look no further than Aviation Corps Officer in the Australian Army. You'll fly helicopters to transport soldiers or you may be part of a vital search and rescue, medical evacuation or disaster relief team.
Job Details
The Army operates a fleet ofrotary wing aircraft flown by officers of the Army Aviation Corps. Their duties can take them to anywhere within Australia and possibly overseas. There are two avenues to become an Army pilot. One avenue is to join the Army as a General Service Officer (GSO), the other is to join as a Specialist Service Officer (SSO). GSO enter service either through the Australian Defence Force Academy, gaining tertiary qualifications along the way or directly through the Royal Military College, Duntroon (RMC). Aviation Cadetship You have the opportunity to undergo testing for suitability as a pilot prior to entering RMC. The Australian Army Aviation (AAAvn) Corps is able to offer an Aviation Cadetship to applicants before entering RMC who have passed the Flight Screening Program (FSP) at the ADF Pilot Selection Agency and have been deemed competitive for a position on pilots course. For the cadets at RMC or those that are yet to complete the FSP before joining RMC, testing for pilot training and application for a position on the FSP will be commenced in the early stages of RMC. If assessed suitable and competitive, you will attend the FSP during your course at RMC. If you pass the FSP and are deemed competitive for a position on pilots course, an Aviation Cadetship may be offered retrospectively to you while at RMC. An Aviation Cadetship pre-selects you to join the AAAvn Corps upon graduation and reserves a position for you on pilots course. The career of a GSO Pilot is normally long term and may encompass flying duties, non-flying appointments or command positions. The SSO Pilot Scheme is designed to produce sufficient pilots, on short-term appointments, to operate the Army's aircraft. Further information is displayed on the SSO Pilot job entry. AIRCRAFT TYPES
ROTARY WING AIRCRAFT S70A-9 Black Hawk The Black Hawk is one of the world's most advanced battlefield helicopters. Its tasks include tactical transport of infantry soldiers, search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster relief and external carriage of heavy equipment including artillery howitzers and light vehicles. The Black Hawk has a crew of two pilots and two load masters and can be armed with two machine guns. It has a cruise speed of 130 knots (240 km/h) and a range of approx. 465 km. The Black Hawk is operated by 5 Aviation Regiment (Avn Regt) in Townsville, 6 Avn Regt in Sydneyand the School of Army Aviation (SAA) in Oakey. CH-47D Chinook The CH-47D Chinook is operated by C Squadron, 5 Avn Regt. C Squadron was raised on the Army order of battle in June 1995, on the return of the Chinook to Australia after re-manufacture by Boeing USA. Tasks include logistic support to airmobile operations and battlefield support in the form of internal and external movement of fuel, stores, vehicles and heavy equipment. The Chinook cruises at a speed of 140 Knots (260 km/h) and has a range of approximately 500 km. MRH-90 The MRH-90 is a single main rotor, twin engine, medium size helicopter. The MRH-90 belongs to a new generation of helicopter that boasts many leading edge technologies including a composite fuselage structure, fly by wire flight controls, an elastomeric bearing rotor hub, and an advanced avionics suite. The helicopter is designed for operations by night, day and in poor weather. The MRH-90 has been purchased to provide an additional troop lift capability for the Army and to replace the Navy's Sea King helicopter and eventually the Blackhawk. The MRH-90 cruises at a speed of 140 Knots (260 km/h) and has a range of approximately 500 km. It is operated by 5 Avn Regt and the SAA. ARH-TIGER The ARH provides a reconnaissance capability overmatch in order to provide situational awareness and decision superiority to the commander. The ARH employs weapons, sensor and communications systems with the capability of employment in Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Intelligence, Offensive Support, Command and Control. The ARH is a tandem seated, armed helicopter which cruises at a speed of 125 knots (approx 240 km/hour) and has a range of 450 km without external tanks. It is operated by the 1 Avn Regt in Darwin and the SAA. Bell 206B-1 Kiowa The Kiowa is the military version of the popular Bell Jet ranger, and has been in service with the Army since 1972. Its tasks are battlefield reconnaissance, path finding for other aircraft, artillery observation,
and control of tactical aircraft such as FA-18 and F111. It carries a crew of two pilots and often works closely with artillery and armoured cavalry units. The Kiowa cruises at 100 Knots (185 km/h) and has a range of approximately 460 km. It is operated by 6 Avn Regt and is the principal training aircraft at the SAA.
Entry
The Royal Military College (RMC) of Australia, Duntroon ACT, has been the training ground for some of Australia's finest young leaders for more than 80 years. Like West Point in the United States and the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom, RMC is renowned for providing one of the best standards of leadership and management education in the world. The Royal Military Collegeprovides the basic military environment for the development of officer qualities in cadets. Its purpose is to instil the qualities, values and ethos of the military profession. It is based on a military training program, military discipline, a regular routine, an identifiable military organisation, goals, opportunities for the assumption of responsibility and the development of leadership potential, ceremony, customs, traditions and the high value placed on the development of the corporate spirit and identity. It is an 18 month course with intakes in July and January. The charter of the Royal Military College is to prepare cadets and other selected candidates for careers as officers in the Army by promoting learning, leadership and integrity; by inspiring high ideals and the pursuit of excellence; and inculcate a sense of duty, loyalty and service to Australia. After 18 months intensive training, RMC graduates are commissioned as Lieutenants in the Australian Regular Army with developed skills that are second to none.
($1,999 per fortnight). Salary after completion of Flying Training will continue to increase based on rank and the number of years of service completed in that rank. A pilot qualification allowance is paid and also increases according to the number of years post qualification. Officer Cadets graduate from RMC with the rank of Lieutenant. For further information on salaryrefer to the Salary Scales for further details. * Note: These figures do not include compulsory deductions for taxation; meals, accommodation and utilities (as applicable); or superannuation.
Citizenship Requirement
Only Australian citizens are permitted to serve in the ADF. If you are a Permanent Resident of Australia, the ADF may consider a temporary waiver of the citizenship requirement if the position for which you are applying cannot be filled by an applicant who meets all the citizenship requirements, and then only in exceptional circumstances. You will be required to obtain Australian citizenship as early as possible following enlistment or appointment. More information on citizenship requirements and the citizenship waiver process is available from the Recruitment Centre and your local Defence Force Recruiting Centre.
Security Requirement
The Department of Defence requires ADF entrants to obtain a security clearance appropriate to their avenue of entry. A process of background checks, collection of relevant information and, as required, interviews enables the Regional Security Office to make an informed assessment of an applicant's suitability for a security clearance. Current policy requires applicants for this particular avenue of entry to have lived in Australia for the preceding 10 years, or have a checkable background for this period.
Aptitude Requirement
Aptitude testing is undertaken to assess your ability to cope with the training and intellectual demands placed on you whilst serving in the ADF. The standards are sound and realistic in expectation, with psychology support staff explaining what is involved with each test. Aviation applicants will also undergo a series of aptitude tests designed to predict suitability for flying training. Whilst aviation cadets will have completed these prior to entering, cadets within RMC who consider flying as a career path, commence these tests during second class. Historically it has been proven that applicants who do not perform well in these tests are less likely to succeed in flying training. Standards have therefore been set, below which an applicant is not considered for further processing. Failure to achieve these standards should not be considered as a personal shortcoming. They are solely aimed at predicting success in the air; an environment to which many are unfamiliar. You must be assessed as: suitable on tests for pilot training; showing common sense and good judgement; able to process new information quickly and accurately and apply learned procedures under pressure; able to allocate priorities amongst competing sources of incoming information; able to think and act quickly and relevantly in stressful situations (eg in unusual or emergency situations); able to perform complex cognitive tasks while carrying out precise manual activities; and able to visualise the relationship of moving objects to each other in space, time and direction. Interests It is essential that you be assessed as having: a high level of interest in the Service; and a very high level of interest in flying and in the roles of the Pilot specialisation.
Education Requirements
Applicants must have completed Year 12 with passes in English, Mathematics (Tertiary Entrance level) and two other Year 12 Board/Authority subjects or be in their final year and expect to reach these levels. It is desirable that one of the other subjects is a physical science. Mathematics (General or Discrete Mathematics) is not an acceptable subject. Additionally, applicants must also have achieved a minimum of a C grade or equivalent in year 10 science, if sciences not passed at year 11 or 12. South Australian officer applicants may achieve a pass at Year 11 English and a pass in a language rich subject at Year 12. Applicants are not required to hold any professional qualifications and prior flying experience while not mandatory is desirable. Successful applicants will be taught to fly and, points to note are: Possession of a Pilot's Licence, does not provide 'credits' for any part of pilot course and is not essential;
Applicants with a commercial pilots license (CPL) but no physical science component in their successful Year 10 and/or Year 12 studies may seek a waiver for the physical science education requirement; and Entry into pilot training is contingent upon successful completion of flight screening. Further information on minimum Australian secondary education standards for selection as ADF Aircrew can be found by accessing the ADF Pilot Selection Agency web site.
Period of Service
You will be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 10.5 years. On completion of your IMPS obligation you may continue to serve on an open-ended arrangement until such time that you submit your 3 month notification of intent to separate.
You may tender your resignation at any time provided you do not have an outstanding Initial Minimum Period of Service obligation.
Additional Requirements
The Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Agency (ADF PSA) The ADF PSA is a tri-service unit formed at Tamworth in Jan 2002 to faciliate ADF Pilot selection. Basically all applicants interested in a career as an ADF Pilot will apply under the new scheme whereby all ADF Pilots are processed in a standardised manner throughout all of the selection process. An applicant is treated as an ADF Pilot applicant with the only change at the recruitment and initial testing phase being the candidate's allocation of preferences for a particular service. A candidates preference is paramount in the final decision as to service allocation: however all candidates need to be aware that in the highly competitive ADF Pilot selection processes, a willingness to nominate, and possibly accept, a second or third preference will greatly enhance the opportunities available. The ADF PSA will choose applicants for further processing at FSP. This selection is made on a nation wide basis and relies heavily upon tested aptitude as well as comments from the Recruiting Units. The ADF PSA procedures incorporates the Flight Screening Program (FSP) and will include an Officer Selection Board (OSB) at the completion of the FSP. The OSB will be conducted at Tamworth on completion of the FSP and will incorporate such selection processes as written and verbal problem solving, group interaction scenarios and a short individual interview with a panel made up of members from all three Services and a Psychologist. At the completion of the OSB a candidate will be informed of success or otherwise and the relative competitiveness with respect to their preferences. A candidate will not be notified of the actual outcome until all applicants for a particular Pilot's course intake are considered; consequently a wait of up to 3 months may be required before an offer from a particular service. For detailed information on the Flight Screening Program (FSP) and the ADFPSA please click on this link: The Australian Defence Force Pilot Selection Agency (ADF PSA)
Military Training
Location ofcourse : Royal Military College, Duntroon Canberra, ACT Duration ofcourse : 18 months Your training at RMC is made up of three terms each of approximatelysix months duration. Cadets in their first term are referred to as "Third Class", second term cadets as "Second Class" and third term cadets as "First Class". RMC cadets are organised as a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets. This is how your military training at RMC will unfold: Third Class: In this first term you will be given a basic grounding in battle craft, infantry minor tactics, navigation, first aid, weapon training, character development, communication skills, military history and
leadership. At RMC, the Third Class training is conducted on the basis that you have no prior military knowledge or experience. Second Class: By the end of Second Class you will have grasped command and leadership skills at section and platoon levels. You will have received further instruction in battle tactics, military history, administration, training, science and technology and communication skills. You will also have the opportunity to apply this knowledge and experiencein the field and practise at section command level, expanding to platoon level towards the end of Second Class. First Class: By nowyou will be ready to put your knowledgeinto practiceat the section, platoon and company level. Your understanding of strategic issues, management, military history and leadershipwill also be further developed. Graduates are commissioned as Lieutenants. During RMC (Military Training) and (Initial) Employment Training (Regimental Officers Basic Course etc), you will be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities. Further information is also available at the Royal Military College website.
Employment Training
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. Oncompletion ofthe Basic Pilots courseArmy studentstransition 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, NightNAV and Low Level NAV. TheNAV phase concludes with a Medium Level to Low LevelNAV test. The final 5 weeks of the IPC is devoted to Advanced Instrument Flight (IF) where the students conduct IFNAV 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 approximately104 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 operationaltype of aircraft.The OTT courseconsists 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. TheROBC 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.
Further Training
The quality of training and experience gained in demanding flying and the number of flying hours accrued on at least one Army aircraft type is sufficient to quality for a civil Private Pilot Licence (PPL) and, with further study, an Air Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL). After the completion of initial tour on an aircraft type, pilots may be selected for flying instructor training in Australia or overseas. Conversion training onto other aircraft types including Chinook, selection to attend test pilot courses or train as an accident investigator are a few of the options and career progressions available. GSO pilots also continue with staff development and promotional courses to prepare them for command and staff appointments.
Employment Location
Listed below are Army Aviation's Training and Operational Units: School of Army Aviation, Army Aviation Training Centre (SAA): equipped with Kiowa,Black Hawk,MRH-90and ARH Tiger helicopters and located at Oakey, Queensland (west of Toowoomba); 16 Bde (Avn), with Headquarters located at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane, QLD; 1st Aviation Regiment, with Headquarters located at Darwin, NT; 161 Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 Avn Regt: equipped withARHand located at Darwin, NT; 162 Reconnaissance Squadron, 1 Avn Regt: equipped withARH located at Darwin, NT; 5th Aviation Regiment: with Headquarters located at Townsville, QLD; A Squadron, 5 Avn Regt:equipped with MRH-90 helicopters and located at Townsville, QLD; B Squadron, 5 Avn Regt: equipped with Blackhawk helicopters and located at Townsville, QLD; C Squadron, 5 Avn Regt: equipped with Chinook helicopters and located at Townsville, QLD; 6th Aviation Regiment, with Headquarters located in Sydney, NSW; 171 Aviation Squadron: equipped with Blackhawk helicopters located atSydney, NSW; and 173Aviation Squadron: equipped with Kiowa helicopters and located at Sydney, NSW.
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