The JHATS, run by Boeing Defence Australia and its partners including Thales Australia, welcomed the first 37 trainee pilots and aircrew at 723SQN on January 17 at the Naval Air Station near Nowra in NSW.
The school aims to train up to 116 students per year, after which they will progress on to operational type conversion with the Royal Australian Navy or Australian Army.
“Our mission is to train professional and resilient aircrew with the teamwork and decision making skills to fight and win in the land and maritime environment,” CMDR Bruce Willington, Commanding Officer of 723 Squadron said in a statement.
“Boeing, Thales, Army and Navy have combined under 723 Squadron to deliver the best training possible for our junior aircrew.”
Boeing Defence Australia’s Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) program director, Darryn Fletcher added, “The on-time commencement of the first training course after a three-year development demonstrates the strength of collaboration between Boeing, its industry partners and the CoA to deliver important Defence capability.
“This world-class system allows students to gain confidence and competency in a safe and cost-effective manner on the ground using reality training devices before moving to the operational aircraft.”
The EC135 T2 (now known to manufacturer Airbus Helicopters as the H135) replaces Navy Squirrel and Army Kiowa training helicopters in service.
The AIR 9000 Phase 7 HATS program acquired a common aircraft type and an increase in synthetic device training to centralise all ADF helicopter ab-initio training at Nowra.
