No. 2 Flying Training School
Introduction
The Royal Australian Air Force unit, No. 2 Flying
Training School, is located at RAAF Base Pearce, about 50 kilometres north of
Perth in Western Australia. All student pilots of the RAAF and the Royal
Australian Navy (RAN) undergo their advanced flying training here and obtain
their 'Wings' before continuing to operational conversion units where they learn
to fly specific aircraft types. Basic flying training is conducted at the ADF
Basic Flying Training School (ADFBFTS) at Tamworth, New South Wales.
History
The evolution of No. 2 Flying Training School
commenced from the original Australian Military Flying Training School. This
School started training pilots on Bristol Boxkites at Point Cook a few days
after the outbreak of World War I. Since those times military flying has had to
adapt to a series of rapid and sweeping changes dictated by war and the advances
of technology. The greatest of these changes occurred as the Korean War ushered
in the jet age.
No longer could advanced flying be carried out on
piston engine aircraft. After 17 years as an advanced trainer, the veteran
Wirraway was replaced by the Vampire Mk 35. An airfield more suited to jet operations
was also sought. No. 1 Advanced Flying Training School was established at Pearce in
May 1958. The Vampire was gradually replaced by the Macchi MB326H in 1968, and
on 1 January 1969 the unit was renamed No. 2 Flying Training School.
To provide Search and Rescue, a Dakota and two
Iroquois helicopters were added to the squadron aircraft inventory soon after,
(in 1990 the SAR role was transferred to a civilian contract). The Macchi provided valuable service as an advanced trainer for
over twenty years. Students would find themselves graduating to it after
completing ab initio training at No. 1 Flying Training School, (initially on the
Winjeel and, after 1977, the CT4A).
The Pilatus PC9/A aircraft gradually replaced the
Macchi from June 1989. The unit 1FTS was disbanded in December 1992. The
syllabus was changed to 'all-through PC9' until June 2000 that included ab-initio
pilot training and advanced pilot training in the following disciplines:
·
General Flying (GF),
·
Instrument Flying (IF),
·
Night Flying (NF),
·
Formation Flying (FORM) and
·
Navigation (NAV).
Since the year 2000, student pilots of the RAAF
and RAN have joined their Army counterparts for ab-initio training at the
British Aerospace facility in Tamworth NSW. At the conclusion of their flying on
the CT4B at Tamworth, RAAF and RAN students move to 2FTS and to conduct their
advanced training on the PC9/A.
Governor-General’s Banner
The Governor-General’s Banner for No. 2 Flying Training School is of blue silk and features the Governor-General’s pennant in the top left corner, wattle sprays in the other corners and the Unit Badge surrounded by the Southern Cross in the centre. The banner is fringed and tasselled in blue and gold, and is hung on a staff with an eagle aloft.
The Badge of No. 2 Flying Training School incorporates a black swan in full flight in front of an inflamed torch. The torch of learning signifies that 2FTS is a training unit. The black swan symbolises the transition of a student pilot from an ungainly cygnet to a graceful swan. Also the black swan is a native of Western Australia and is featured on the state crest. The Unit motto ‘Seek the Heights’ complements the Badge.
The Future.......
A graduate pilot of No. 2 Flying Training School must be capable of
flying the PC9/A with the skill and confidence necessary to allow ready
transition to operational aircraft. As such, and in keeping with the traditions
of the RAAF, the standards of flying skill and airmanship that a trainee must
develop at 2FTS are very high. Necessarily allied to this requirement, the
graduate must be capable of discharging his or her duties and responsibilities
as a junior officer.
Although aircraft, staff and methods will no doubt
continue to change, the traditions and high standards insisted upon at 2FTS will
endure. The unit motto 'Seek the Heights' is appropriate to the training
achievements of 2FTS.
Air
Force - RAAF
Navy
- RAN
Army
- ARA
ADF Pilot Selection Agency - ADFPSA
ADF Recruiting - Defence Jobs
Comments
may be addressed to:
Last Modified: 4 July 2006
Authorised By: CO 2FTS