Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has commenced the first H135 Type Conversion course at Nowra’s new Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) facilities at HMAS Albatross.
“The eight Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army qualified flying instructors (QFI) and qualified aircrewman instructors (QAI), and five Boeing Defence Australia instructors currently receiving the Boeing-led training will support first-of-type courses commencing in early 2018,” Boeing HATS program director Terry Nichols said.
“Over the duration of the training, instructors will approve the ab initio course material, and gain proficiency and instructor knowledge of the advanced H135 training helicopter.”
Key elements of the modernised training solution being trained include includes advanced over land flying, formation flying, use of night vision aids, and deck landings on the Multi-role Aviation Training Vessel (MATV). Upon qualification of the training mid-year, pilots will commence training on Thales Australia modern simulators.
Nick Brown, a Boeing QFI participating in the train the trainer course, commenced the practical training on the aircraft last week.
“The H135 training helicopter offers an evolution in ab inito training with instructors familiarising themselves with the new aircraft type and advanced systems that will provide students with a world-leading modernised training solution,” he said.
Under the joint helicopter training school program, Boeing will deliver training to up to 130 ADF students per year at full maturity, including pilots, aviation warfare officers, aircrewman, sensor operators and qualified aircrew returning for instructor training.