Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully completed the first year of in-country Pilot Initial Qualification (PIQ) training for the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter.
Since the first of four courses began on February 1, Boeing Defence Australia (BDA) has trained eight new C-17 pilots and collectively delivered more than 1,600 hours of programmed PIQ training, including 560 hours of computer-based training and 480 simulated flight hours in the Boeing-developed C-17 Globemaster III Aircrew Training System (ATS).
The ATS was commissioned by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) in November 2009 and made Australia the first C-17 ATS customer outside the US.
Squadron Leader Peter Thompson and Flight Lieutenant James Gotch graduated in late November as the latest batch of RAAF C-17 Globemaster III pilots trained in Australia by Boeing Defence Australia’s C-17 aircrew training team at RAAF Base Amberley.
Previously, all RAAF C-17 pilots and aircrew trained in the US.
Wing Commander Paul Long, who conducted the in-country PIQ training in 2010, will take up the position of Commanding Officer for No. 36 Squadron at the end of 2010.
In addition to PIQ training, BDA provides continuation training for current RAAF C-17 pilots and loadmasters, as well as scheduling and logistics support.
These services are provided under the stewardship of the DMO’s Heavy Air Lift Systems Program Office.
C-17 PIQ training at RAAF Base Amberley will recommence in January 2011.