The first Pilatus PC-21 advanced trainer for the Royal Australian Air Force has completed its first flight. Bearing both Swiss civil registration HB-HWA and its ADF military serial A54-001, the aircraft completed its first flight from Pilatus’s Stans, Switzerland facility on July 21. “This initial flight of the first Australian PC-21, only seven months after
A United States Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion has landed aboard HMAS Canberra for the first time, becoming the largest helicopter type to land abroad an Australian LHD amphibious assault ship. The heavy lift helicopter from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 landed on HMAS Canberra’s flightdeck on July 17 as the ship was off the coast of Hawaii
A formation flight of 16 CT-4B Airtrainers on July 12 has marked 250,000 flying hours by the type with the ADF’s Basic Flying Training School (BFTS). Based at Tamworth, BAE Systems Australia has operated BTFS under contract since 1999 to provide initial pilot training and pilot screening for all three arms of the ADF, with
A United States Marine Corps (USMC) MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor has conducted six deck landings on board HMAS Canberra on while the ship was taking part in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2016 off the north-east coast of Hawaii. The landings on July 12, conducted as part of a US Navy and USMC aviation integration
Australia’s first commanding officer of an F-35A Lightning II squadron has seen the F-35 up close for the first time at the Royal International Air Tattoo. Wing Commander Darren Clare, who is currently posted to the UK to complete the Advanced Command and Staff Course, said that he is looking forward to commencing his appointment
BAE Systems Australia has started providing operational maintenance for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Hawk 127 lead-in fighter fleet, creating 116 new jobs. The company is now delivering all Hawk maintenance support on the flightline at RAAF Base Williamtown and RAAF Base Pearce. Under a new arrangement, BAE Systems is responsible for aircraft launch and
