Young eagles prepare to soar – 6 Wing AAFC RC aircraft course

A small group of South Australian Air Force Cadets started on their pathway to earning their ‘wings’ this month.

CAPTION: LCDT Connor Bonham (608 Squadron, Gawler), LCDT Adomas Neocleous (609 Squadron, Warradale), Sergeant (AAFC) Shayne O’Hara (608 Squadron and 906 Aviation Training Squadron), LCDT Tristan Hahn (605 Squadron, Seaford) and CCPL Timothy Cox (608 Squadron), with aircraft (left to right) Apprentice-S SAFE high wing trainer, Hangar 9 ‘Alpha’ 40-size high wing trainer, and Seagull ‘Boomerang’ TF4050 40-size high wing trainer. Photo by Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig.

A preparatory weekend was held at the Gawler AAFC depot, which will lead to a formal Radio-Controlled Aircraft Course, a flying camp for those interested in learning about and flying radio-controlled fixed-wing aircraft.

This training is being offered by No 906 Aviation Training Squadron in conjunction with No 608 (Town of Gawler) Squadron.

Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig, 6 Wing Public Affairs and Communication Officer, said: “A pilot course (pun intended) was run in 2017 to assess the course structure and content, in order to make any necessary adjustments for future courses. This is now the start of formal radio-controlled flying training in South Australia”.

On completion of the course, comprising theoretical instruction and practical flying experience, Cadets who achieve the necessary standards will be eligible to receive the Bronze Wings awarded by the Model Aeronautical Association of Australia (MAAA) for modellers flying models under 2kg.

This preparation activity was run by Sergeant (AAFC) Shayne O’Hara. Shayne served as a cadet in the Air Training Corps in the 1970s and attained the rank of Cadet Flight Sergeant, and has now completed some 17 years’ service as an Instructor of Cadets.

He has a background in performance vehicles, and motor sport and classic cars, and through his active role in go-cart racing earned three medals in the Australian Masters.

He maintains an active interest in aircraft modelling.

Sergeant O’Hara said: “We’ve put a lot of work into developing this course, and it’ll be great to see it get off the ground”.

As an air-minded youth organisation, the Australian Air Force Cadets has the mission of developing young Australians in a military and aviation environment.

No 906 Aviation Training Squadron is always looking for qualified and motivated instructors to join the team – with excellent people skills and a passion for youth training, aviation and an appreciation of the military lifestyle. Part-time volunteer positions are available now. Experience as a military officer or NCO is preferred but not essential.

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