Helicopter Pilot
As a Helicopter Pilot, you’ll fly military aircraft in demanding and rewarding ways that require you to be the top of your field, possessing both technical and tactical understanding. Once qualified, you can expect to be employed flying your primary helicopter type, initially as a co-pilot and/or aircraft captain under supervision for the first 12 months. From this point on you will be trained and authorised to conduct more complex missions often as aircraft captain.
This meaningful role is part of the Army Officer – Command career pathway, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of being a leader to a team of soldiers, including mentorship, influence, problem solving, decision making and much more. No leadership experience is required, and you’ll be allocated to your specific role before you graduate from training.
What you'll do
You’ll learn how to tactically employ helicopters from remote and austere environments and from Navy ships as well as how to operate in mountainous terrain and remote areas. You’ll be qualified to fly with night vision devices and conduct low-level and formation flight by day and night. As you develop your flying experience, you can expect to be given supervisory and leadership roles to prepare you for command appointments with the Army.
Your duties may include piloting a:
- CH-47F Chinook – the CH-47F Chinook is operated by C Squadron, 5th Aviation Regiment in Townsville with initial Aircraft Qualification Course training conducted by the US Army. The Chinook is one of the most versatile battlefield helicopters capable of carrying 33 troops or 10 tonnes of cargo over a range of approximately 500 kilometres at a cruise speed of 130 knots (240 kilometres per hour). Tasks include logistic support to airmobile operations, casualty evacuation and battlefield support for internal and external movement of fuel, stores, vehicles and heavy equipment. The Chinook has a crew of 2 pilots and 2 aircrew and can be armed with 2 M134 Miniguns and a MAG58 machine gun.
- AH-64E Apache – The AH-64E Apache is Army's attack helicopter and is operated from Townsville. It provides a highly capable, lethal and survivable attack aviation capability, with advanced sensors, weapons and networking systems that enable it to operate across a range of land and amphibious environments.
- UH – 60M – Black Hawk – The primary role of the UH-60M is to provide air mobility and battlefield support in Combined, Joint and Inter-Agency environments. The Black Hawk is crewed by 2 pilots and 2 aircrewman who operate the M134D and MAG58 weapon systems. It will be equipped with Electro-Optical and Infrared (EO/IR) sensor system, weather radar and advanced communication systems.
Army General Service Officers are allocated to specific roles shortly before graduation from the Royal Military College – Duntroon. This is known as Corps allocation, the allocation of roles is based on performance during training. After 6 to 8 years of flying, you may be selected to be a flying instructor or experimental test pilot. You may even be selected for overseas postings accompanied by your spouse and children.
Opportunities for progression and upskilling continue throughout your career as an officer. As you progress, the Army will provide you with leadership, management, and specialist skills training to develop your ability to effectively manage your teams. You’ll also be provided with training opportunities to further develop your role-related expertise. This world-class training will strengthen your skillset and enable you to become an influential leader in the Army.
As an officer in the Army, you may also undertake a posting to an Any Officer role during your career, such as instructor/training roles and staff officer roles. This experience helps you broaden your skill set and prepare for more senior roles.
Following training, you'll be posted to one of the following locations:
- Darwin, NT
- Townsville, Qld
- Holsworthy, NSW.
Discover where the Army operates across Australia on our base locations map.
Requirements and training
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply to join ADFA from 16 years of age and must be at least 17 on the day of entry. The maximum age to join is 47 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
To be eligible for admission to the University of New South Wales (UNSW) at ADFA, you’ll need to have completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other Board of Secondary School Studies (or state equivalent) subjects and obtained an entrance rank high enough to qualify for entry to the relevant degree program. If you already have a degree, you’ll need to provide copies of your transcripts as well as certificate of Year 12.
Further information regarding Assumed Subject Knowledge, including state-by-state specific Year 12 subjects, can be found on the UNSW website.
Note: As well as applying to the Army for entry, you’ll also need to apply to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for entry to the University of New South Wales (UNSW). For more information, visit the UAC website or our ADFA page.
While at ADFA, you won’t incur a HECS-HELP debt as the Army will cover the cost of your course up to the Commonwealth Supported Place amount. This includes the higher costs associated with ADFA studies and may also cover any necessary equipment and education materials.
Officer Cadets can leave ADFA at any time within their first 2 years. Please note, if you choose to leave university, you'll be expected to reimburse the ADF for the academic training provided to date (i.e. you are not liable for the full cost if you leave before completion of the course). However, if you leave university but continue your career in the ADF by transferring to a Direct Entry role, you will not be expected to reimburse the ADF in this case.
ADF Service Requirements
You should be aware that in addition to the UNSW at ADFA Assumed Subject Knowledge requirements, there may be some Year 12 subjects that are ADF Service requirements.
Experience
Military flying is in many ways, very different from civilian flying. Therefore, the Military Pilots course has a different training philosophy to that of many civilian flying schools.
You'll be expected to progress on course at a rate that confirms your suitability for subsequent operational conversions to front-line military aircraft. Therefore, previous flying experience in a civilian environment does not necessarily provide an advantage.
The Army neither encourages nor discourages potential applicants to consider flying lessons.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment before appointment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 15
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 13 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. There is a 2-year grace period from appointment where you may resign, without any obligation. You'll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have any outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
Army Pilot Selection
All ADF Officer Aviation (OA) roles require you to complete a detailed evaluation consisting mostly of examinations and interviews. You must complete an initial test, then the Officer Aviation Testing Battery (OATB) and interview at your local ADF Careers Centre. If you nominate for Helicopter Pilot, you’ll move on to take part in the 2-day Aviation Screening Program (ASP) at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. During the ASP, you’ll join a group of candidates who are all undergoing further screening for different OA roles within the ADF, including Pilot, Aviation Warfare Officer (AvWO), and Mission Aircrew. At the ASP you'll be tested via the Military Aviation Cognitive Testing System (MACTS), which is computer-based testing designed to evaluate OA candidates and determine your suitability to undertake aviation training. MACTS can be undertaken 2 times with a minimum of 12 months between attempts.
At the ASP, you’ll experience first-hand the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at a Defence base. Plus, you’ll learn more about each OA role, and get to talk with service advocates about life as a Pilot, AvWO and Mission Aircrew in the ADF. At the end of the ASP, you’ll meet with a debriefing officer individually to receive your MACTS results and discuss which OA career options that are available to you. At this stage of the process, you’ll be advised of your progression to Officer Selection Boards (OSB) based on 4 criteria at the ASP: preference, suitability, standing, and demand.
Officer Selection
As Helicopter Pilots are Commissioned Officers within the Australian Army, a detailed evaluation of your suitability to become an Army officer is part of the selection process. Once you've successfully completed ASP, you may progress to an Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB). The AOSB assesses applicants on Leadership, Suitability, Motivation, and Academic ability. Army will also seek to select candidates who share the Defence values of: Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence.
AOSB Outcomes
If you're successful at the AOSB, you may receive a Letter of Offer (LOO) for commencement at either the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), or the Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC-D). Your letter may state that you have received an offer for the Aviation Cadetship (AVN CDT), or General Service Officer (GSO).
Aviation Cadetship
Aviation Cadetships are highly competitive and are allocated each year to both ADFA and RMC-D entrants to those candidates with the highest combined MACTS scores and AOSB outcomes. If you're afforded an Aviation Cadetship, and provided your performance at RMC-D is at a good standard, this means you’ll be assured allocation to Pilot training following successful completion of RMC-D. In I Class, Aviation Cadets who decide against pursing the Helicopter Pilot career may also elect to forgo their Aviation Cadetship and request to enter the corps allocation process alongside their peers.
All Corps entry to ADFA and RMC (GSO)
If you're not allocated to an Aviation Cadetship, you may accept a GSO offer for entry into either ADFA or RMC-D. You may elect to undertake MACTS whilst training at RMC-D or ADFA to compete for Army Pilot positions available upon graduating from RMC-D. There is a second MACTS testing facility in Canberra that enables this testing to occur whilst in-service. MACTS testing in Canberra also takes place over a 2-day period. Successful candidates high on standing (competitiveness) will then undergo an Aviation Medical (AVMED) to be able to preference the Army Pilot career path during the Corps Allocation period.
You'll attend ADFA to complete your university studies over 3 years. You'll also complete the following military training around your study commitments.
Course: Year One Familiarisation Training (YOFT)
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
YOFT is Initial Military Training to prepare you for life in the ADF. It's made up of the fundamental basic lessons and requirements to allow you thrive and succeed in your new career.
Training includes:
- leadership
- ceremonial
- field training
- physical training
- adventurous training
- weapon training.
Course: Joint Military Education and Training (JMET)
Duration: 10 hours per week
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
ADFA's JMET program establishes foundational military knowledge for Trainee Officers (TOs) in the profession of arms.
JMET has 5 core modules:
- Foundational Military Skills
- National Security Policy and Strategy
- Character Leadership and Ethics
- Technology and Capability
- Joint Warfare.
JMET integrates the professional military education of TOs with the academic program to establish foundational skills and historical, philosophical and technical literacy. The ADFA program of JMET and academic studies encourages curiosity and critical thinking so that TOs understand their role as leaders within the ADF, and their service's contribution to the Joint Force.
JMET training:
- character, leadership and ethics
- drill and ceremonial
- field craft
- joint warfare
- national security, policy and strategy
- physical training
- technology and capability
- weapons training.
Course: Single Service Training (SST)
Duration: During academic semester breaks
Location: Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), ACT
Army SST gives you the opportunity to experience life in the Army and gain core Army leadership, technical and field skills.
- Combat fitness.
- Field craft.
- Leadership training.
- Radio communications.
- Work experience.
- Weapon handling.
After graduating from ADFA you'll join your direct-entry peers at the Royal Military College - Duntroon to complete the Officer Commissioning Program (OCP).
Having already completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP at ADFA, you'll join your direct entry peers for the final 2 semesters, each 6 months in duration.
Course: Officer Commissioning Program
Duration: 12 months
Location: Royal Military College - Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
While attending RMC-D, you'll be appointed as a Staff Cadet, organised into a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets. As a Staff Cadet, you'll be immersed in military life and culture. You'll already have completed the equivalent of the first semester of the OCP during ADFA, therefore, you'll only need to complete the final 2 semesters of the OCP, each approximately 6 months in duration.
The training program for the final 2 semesters includes:
- Foundation Leadership - will prepare you for your first appointment through exposure to military leadership and applied leadership
- Foundation Warfighting - develop knowledge of foundation warfighting in the contemporary operating environment through platoon-level tactical actions
- Foundation Military Planning - learn about critical thinking and planning in an operational context and command experience in a 'simulated' environment
- Foundation Command - gain the necessary skills and knowledge to support training and administrative processes in a unit environment using your ethical framework.
After graduating as a Lieutenant, you'll be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps, where you'll put what you've learned into practice. Initially, you'll be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops on deployment, through field exercises, physical training drills, or managing any number of vital Army functions.
During RMC Military Training, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.
If you're training at RMC-D on an Aviation Cadetship, and provided your performance is at a good standard, you'll be assured allocation to Pilot training following successful completion of training.
Course: ADF Basic Pilot Course
Duration: 24 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
During the Pilot Basic Course, you’ll fly about 60 hours in PC21 aircraft and simulators. The flying disciplines on pilot basic course include General Flying (GF), Instrument Flying (IF), Night Flying (NF) and an introduction to medium level visual Navigation (NAV). GF includes manoeuvres such as flying circuits, basic aerobatics, stalling and emergency handling. IF instruction covers basic instrument interpretation skills and flying instrument approaches. 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.
Upon completion of the Pilot Basic Course, you’ll proceed to HMAS Albatross to commence the Rotary Course Pilot.
A Tri-service alternate pathway may be conducted as an alternative to the PC21 based Pilot Basic Course. This course is called the Initial Flying Training (IFT) course and will leverage a commercial flying training option. After completing IFT the trainee military pilot will be ready for the next phase of training (for Army that will be at HMAS Albatross on the rotary course).
Course: Rotary Course Pilot
Duration: 6 months
Location: HMAS Albatross Nowra, NSW
During this course, you’ll receive approximately 87 live flying hours and 77 simulator hours in the EC135 helicopter and full mission flight simulator. The course builds on the experience gained on the basic pilot course with the aim of providing the skills, knowledge, attitude and other attributes necessary for you to commence operational type training. You’ll receive day and night NVD flight operations including low level terrain flight, ship-deck landings, hoisting, load lifting, confined area operations, maritime Hi-line transfers, IF, formation flight and extensive emergency and malfunction training.
Award of Army Flying Badge (Wings)
On successful completion of the Rotary Course Pilot, you’ll be awarded the Army Flying Badge (Provisional). Wings become ‘Substantive’ on successful completion of the Regimental Officer Basic Course Program which includes operational type conversion.
Course: Regimental Officers' Basic Course (ROBC) Program
Duration: 6-12 months
Location: School of Army Aviation, Oakey, Qld
The Regimental Officers' Basic Course (ROBC) includes basic tactics, aircraft familiarisation, operational type qualification and role specific mission employment. Pilots will be selected to undertake training on one of the following ROBC programs:
- CH47F (Chinook)
- AH-64E (Apache)
- S70 (Black Hawk).
After you’ve graduated from the School of Army Aviation as a Category D Pilot, you’ll be posted to an Aviation Unit and continue training and aircrew development in accordance with the unit role specific training and assessment program. You should achieve categorisation progression to Category C (mission qualified co-pilot) in the first 12 months of aircrew development while in the regimental environment. Progression to Category B (mission qualified aircraft captain) will normally occur in the following 12 to 24 months. A Pilot Category is awarded to identify your ability and competency to Captain an aircraft in a specified environment whilst performing specified duties.
Promotion to the rank of Captain (CAPT) will normally occur after 4 years as a LT and you can expect a minimum of 8 years in an operational flying role.
There are 2 career streams for an Army Pilot.
- Generalist – pilots described as Generalist Officers, Lieutenant (LT) to Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) with complementary technical skills and or experience. You'll be employed in one of the following roles:
- regimental pilot
- command and supervisory appointments
- staff appointments.
- Specialist – specialists are Pilots, from CAPT to LTCOL who have developed deep aviation skills and knowledge and have been selected to this stream. You’ll be employed in one of the following roles:
- flying instructor
- test pilot.
Aviation Officers also continue training and development in accordance with the Army All Corps Officer Training Continuum.
National Qualifications
The ADF and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have agreed on the following milestones for the issue of civil licences as shown:
- PPL (Helicopter) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) (Helicopter) – Basic fixed wing flying and Rotary Wing Training may contribute to the award of civilian (CASA) licences and endorsements, including Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) and Instrument Rating (IR).
For more information, visit the CASA portal to find out what’s required to transfer military flying training against the issuance of a CASA licence. - ADF pilots are eligible for issue of Flight Instructor Rating (Aeroplane) (FIR (A)) if they are a graduate of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) or Royal Air Force (RAF), Central Flying School.
ADF pilots may be eligible for issue of a Flight Instructor Rating (Helicopter) if they have successfully completed a recognised Qualified Flying Instructor course from within the Defence Force of Australia, Central Flying School of RNZAF and RAF. As a precursor, they must hold a current and valid CASA CPL (H) or ATPL (H) as well as having accrued 400 hours flight time in a helicopter.
You must be an Australian citizen to serve in the ADF. However, Australian permanent residents may be eligible. For more details, visit the "Citizenship" tab on the Eligibility Requirements page.
You can apply for a role in the ADF from 16.5 years of age and must be at least 17 to join. The maximum age to join is 49 years.
You don’t need a driver’s licence for this role but if you have one, it can’t be suspended or cancelled.
All ADF members require a security clearance. As an ADF member, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate level of security clearance for your role. You’ll need a collection of relevant information including background checks and/or interviews so the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) can make an informed assessment to ensure the protection of Government resources and information. Your Careers Coach will explain what level of clearance is required for the career you are considering.
For more information or to learn about how security clearance will apply to you, view the eligibility requirements page.
You’ll need to have either completed Year 12 with passes in English and 3 other board accredited academic subjects that meet Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) requirements or be in your final year and on track to pass them all (South Australian officer applicants may achieve a pass at Year 11 English and a pass in a language rich subject at Year 12 and three other subjects).
Experience
Military flying is very different from civilian flying in many ways. Therefore, the Military Pilots course has a different training philosophy to that of many civilian flying schools.
You'll be expected to progress on course at a rate that confirms your suitability for subsequent operational conversions to front-line military aircraft. Therefore, previous flying experience in a civilian environment does not necessarily provide an advantage.
The Army neither encourages nor discourages potential applicants to consider flying lessons.
To join the ADF, you must be healthy and physically fit. This is partially assessed from the completion of an extensive questionnaire covering your medical history, followed by a physical examination.
You’ll also be required to successfully pass a physical fitness assessment.
Female
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 8
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
Male
- Sit-ups (feet held): 45
- Push-ups: 15
- Shuttle Run Score: 7.5.
For the purposes of Special Medical Requirements, Pilots are classified as 'Aviation Class 1'.
For further details on medical and physical fitness standards, refer to physical fitness standards for entry into the ADF and medical process for entry into the ADF.
You’ll be appointed for an Initial Minimum Period of Service (IMPS) of 10 years. Subsequent periods of service may be offered subject to the requirements of the ADF and your suitability for further service. You'll have a Careers Coach who can advise on how IMPS will relate to your chosen occupation and personal situation.
You may request discharge at any time provided you do not have an outstanding IMPS obligation and provide a minimum of 3 months’ notice.
Army Pilot Selection
All ADF Officer Aviation (OA) roles require you to complete a detailed evaluation consisting mostly of examinations and interviews. You must complete an initial test, then the Officer Aviation Testing Battery (OATB) and interview at your local ADF Careers Centre. If you nominate for Helicopter Pilot, you’ll move on to take part in the 2-day Aviation Screening Program (ASP) at RAAF Base East Sale, Victoria. During the ASP, you’ll join a group of candidates who are all undergoing further screening for different OA roles within the ADF, including Pilot, Aviation Warfare Officer (AvWO), and Mission Aircrew. At the ASP you'll be tested via the Military Aviation Cognitive Testing System (MACTS), which is computer-based testing designed to evaluate OA candidates and determine your suitability to undertake aviation training. MACTS can be undertaken 2 times with a minimum of 12 months between attempts.
At the ASP, you’ll experience first-hand the training, recreational and accommodation facilities at a Defence base. Plus, you’ll learn more about each OA role, and get to talk with service advocates about life as a Pilot, AvWO and Mission Aircrew in the ADF. At the end of the ASP, you’ll meet with a debriefing officer individually to receive your MACTS results and discuss which OA career options that are available to you. At this stage of the process, you’ll be advised of your progression to Officer Selection Boards (OSB) based on 4 criteria at the ASP: preference, suitability, standing, and demand.
Officer Selection
As Helicopter Pilots are Commissioned Officers within the Australian Army, a detailed evaluation of your suitability to become an Army officer is part of the selection process. Once you've successfully completed ASP, you may progress to an Army Officer Selection Board (AOSB). The AOSB assesses applicants on Leadership, Suitability, Motivation, and Academic ability. Army will also seek to select candidates who share the Defence values of: Service, Courage, Respect, Integrity and Excellence.
AOSB Outcomes
If you're successful at the AOSB, you may receive a Letter of Offer (LOO) for commencement at either the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), or the Royal Military College - Duntroon (RMC-D). Your letter may state that you have received an offer for the Aviation Cadetship (AVN CDT), or General Service Officer (GSO).
Aviation Cadetship
Aviation Cadetships are highly competitive and are allocated each year to both ADFA and RMC-D entrants to those candidates with the highest combined MACTS scores and AOSB outcomes. If you're afforded an Aviation Cadetship, and provided your performance at RMC-D is at a good standard, this means you’ll be assured allocation to Pilot training following successful completion of RMC-D. In I Class, Aviation Cadets who decide against pursuing the Helicopter Pilot career may also elect to forgo their Aviation Cadetship and request to enter the corps allocation process alongside their peers.
All Corps entry to ADFA and RMC (GSO)
If you aren't allocated to an Aviation Cadetship, you may accept a GSO offer for entry into either ADFA or RMC-D. You may elect to undertake MACTS whilst training at RMC-D or ADFA to compete for Army Pilot positions available upon graduating from RMC-D. There is a second MACTS testing facility in Canberra that enables this testing to occur whilst in-service. MACTS testing in Canberra also takes place over a 2-day period. Successful candidates high on standing (competitiveness) will then undergo an Aviation Medical (AVMED) to be able to preference the Army Pilot career path during the Corps Allocation period.
Course: Royal Military College (RMC) Military Training
Duration: 18 months
Location: Royal Military College: Duntroon, Canberra, ACT
The course is made up of 3 terms of approximately 6 months each.
As a cadet, you'll be organised into a Battalion known as the Corps of Staff Cadets. Your training program includes:
- Army Initial Foundation Training: form a baseline for your service in the Army
- Army Small Team Leadership: learn the fundamentals of applied military leadership to develop your leadership through knowledge and practical application
- Foundation Leadership: will prepare you for your first appointment through exposure to military leadership and applied leadership
- Foundation Warfighting: develop knowledge of foundation warfighting in the contemporary operating environment through platoon-level tactical actions
- Foundation Military Planning: learn about critical thinking and planning in an operational context and command experience in a 'simulated' environment
- Foundation Command: gain the necessary skills and knowledge to support training and administrative processes in a unit environment using your ethical framework.
After graduation you'll be assigned to one of the Army's specialised branches, known as Corps, where you'll put what you've learned into practice. Initially you'll be required to complete in-service Corps training and familiarisation. Then you may find yourself taking troops through field exercises, physical training drills, tactical assaults or managing any number of vital Army functions. Graduates are commissioned as Lieutenants.
During your RMC Military Training, you may be required to pay a contribution towards your meals, accommodation and utilities.
If you're training at RMC-D on an Aviation Cadetship, and provided your performance is at a good standard, you'll be assured allocation to Pilot training following successful completion of training.
Course: ADF Basic Pilot Course
Duration: 24 weeks
Location: RAAF Base East Sale, Vic
During the Pilot Basic Course, you’ll fly about 60 hours in PC21 aircraft and simulators. The flying disciplines on pilot basic course include General Flying (GF), Instrument Flying (IF), Night Flying (NF) and an introduction to medium level visual Navigation (NAV). GF includes manoeuvres such as flying circuits, basic aerobatics, stalling and emergency handling. IF instruction covers basic instrument interpretation skills and flying instrument approaches. 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.
Upon completion of the Pilot Basic Course, you’ll proceed to HMAS Albatross to commence the Rotary Course Pilot.
A tri-service alternate pathway may be conducted as an alternative to the PC21 based Pilot Basic Course. This course is called the Initial Flying Training (IFT) course and will leverage a commercial flying training option. After completing IFT the trainee military pilot will be ready for the next phase of training (for Army that will be at HMAS Albatross on the rotary course).
Course: Rotary Course Pilot
Duration: 6 months
Location: HMAS Albatross Nowra, NSW
During this course, you’ll receive approximately 87 live flying hours and 77 simulator hours in the EC135 helicopter and full mission flight simulator. The course builds on the experience gained on the basic pilot course with the aim of providing the skills, knowledge, attitude and other attributes necessary for you to commence operational type training. You’ll receive day and night NVD flight operations including low level terrain flight, ship-deck landings, hoisting, load lifting, confined area operations, maritime Hi-line transfers, IF, formation flight and extensive emergency and malfunction training.
Award of Army Flying Badge (Wings)
On successful completion of the Rotary Course Pilot, you’ll be awarded the Army Flying Badge (Provisional). Wings become ‘Substantive’ on successful completion of the Regimental Officer Basic Course Program which includes operational type conversion.
Course: Regimental Officers' Basic Course (ROBC) Program
Duration: 6-12 months
Location: School of Army Aviation, Oakey, Qld
The Regimental Officers' Basic Course (ROBC) includes basic tactics, aircraft familiarisation, operational type qualification and role specific mission employment. Pilots will be selected to undertake training on one of the following ROBC programs:
- CH47F (Chinook)
- AH-64E (Apache)
- S70 (Black Hawk).
After you’ve graduated from the School of Army Aviation as a Category D Pilot, you’ll be posted to an Aviation Unit and continue training and aircrew development in accordance with the unit role specific training and assessment program. You should achieve categorisation progression to Category C (mission qualified co-pilot) in the first 12 months of aircrew development while in the regimental environment. Progression to Category B (mission qualified aircraft captain) will normally occur in the following 12 to 24 months. A Pilot Category is awarded to identify your ability and competency to Captain an aircraft in a specified environment whilst performing specified duties.
Promotion to the rank of Captain (CAPT) will normally occur after 4 years as a Lieutenant (LT) and you can expect a minimum of 8 years in an operational flying role.
There are 2 career streams for an Army Pilot.
- Generalist – pilots described as Generalist Officers, Lieutenant (LT) to Lieutenant Colonel (LTCOL) with complementary technical skills and or experience. You'll be employed in one of the following roles:
- regimental pilot
- command and supervisory appointments
- staff appointments.
- Specialist – specialists are Pilots, from CAPT to LTCOL who have developed deep aviation skills and knowledge and have been selected to this stream. You’ll be employed in one of the following roles:
- flying instructor
- test pilot.
Aviation Officers also continue training and development in accordance with the Army All Corps Officer Training Continuum.
National Qualifications
The ADF and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have agreed on the following milestones for the issue of civil licences as shown:
- PPL (Helicopter) and Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) (Helicopter) – Basic fixed wing flying and Rotary Wing Training may contribute to the award of civilian (CASA) licences and endorsements, including Private Pilot Licence (PPL), Commercial Pilots Licence (CPL) and Instrument Rating (IR).
For more information, visit the CASA portal to find out what’s required to transfer military flying training against the issuance of a CASA licence. - ADF pilots are eligible for issue of Flight Instructor Rating (Aeroplane) (FIR (A)) if they are a graduate of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) or Royal Air Force (RAF), Central Flying School.
- ADF pilots may be eligible for issue of a Flight Instructor Rating (Helicopter) if they have successfully completed a recognised Qualified Flying Instructor course from within the Defence Force of Australia, Central Flying School of RNZAF and RAF. As a precursor, they must hold a current and valid CASA CPL (H) or ATPL (H) as well as having accrued 400 hours flight time in a helicopter.