Diamonds deploy to Richmond

05/03/202006/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3830 Views 0 Comments

More flying opportunities for NSW Cadets

Air Force Cadets in New South Wales and the ACT are about to have their aviation training opportunities substantially enhanced.

CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant James Francis says hello to RAAF Richmond after arriving in a DA40 NG, with Wing Commander Joe Vine in a second aircraft. Photo by FLTLT (AAFC) Kate Hobson.

Director General Cadets–Air Force Air Commodore Gary Martin has announced that “RAAF Base Richmond is about to see and hear the continuous presence of the AAFC in a new form with the arrival of our new Diamond DA-40 aircraft that will be based there”.

On Thursday 27 February, two Diamond DA40 NG training aircraft flew in to RAAF Base Richmond (YSRI), with one of them making Richmond its permanent home station.

This deployment marked the formation of Richmond Flight as a component of the Elementary Flying Training School, based at RAAF Point Cook.

FILE PHOTO (18 April 2019 ): Newly-appointed Flight Commander of Richmond Flight FLTLT(AAFC) Kate Hobson Cadet Corporal Brianna Haunold from 710 Squadron, AAFC (Bunbury, WA) after she became the first female cadet to go solo in a DA40 NG. Photo by SQNLDR (AAFC) Scott Wiggins. — **FILE PHOTO** (18 April 2019 ): Newly-appointed Flight Commander of Richmond Flight FLTLT(AAFC) Kate Hobson congratulates Cadet Corporal Brianna Haunold from 710 Squadron, AAFC (Bunbury, WA) after she became the first female cadet to go solo in a DA40 NG. Photo by SQNLDR (AAFC) Scott Wiggins.

EFTS is a subordinate unit of the AAFC’s Aviation Operations Wing (AOW), which has the aim of delivering flying pathways through gliding and powered flying experiences and training.

AOW Public Affairs Officer Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig said, “The goal of the AAFC powered flying program is for selected Cadets to fly their first solo flight – and many of them do before they even have a driving learner’s licence”.

Air Commodore Martin said, “AAFC cadets will soon be able to take to the skies and experience the exhilaration of flight not only from Richmond Base, but also from a large number of hub-and-spoke regional airfields around NSW/ACT”.

The Flight Commander of Richmond Flight is Flight Lieutenant (AAFC) Kate Hobson, one of the EFTS Flight Instructors.

FLTLT (AAFC) Hobson is also Executive Officer of No 303 (City of Camden) Squadron, AAFC (“Committed to Excellence”).

In addition, she is part of the RAAF Reservists Executive of the EFTS, and has also been appointed as an Air Force Specialist Capability Officer (SCO).

FLTLT(AAFC) Hobson said, “I would like to personally thank each and every person involved for your assistance in getting us this far in the process of ADF/RAAF/AAFC integration. It has been a learning process for us all, managing arrangements for transport, briefing section commanders, and getting storage hangars ready for us to use”.

With this milestone achieved, Richmond Flight has now become another key component of the AAFC’s national flying training effort.

Staff endorsements will first be conducted, followed by flying opportunities for Cadets using the aerodynamically advanced Diamond DA40 NG, which has been leased for exclusive use by Australian Air Force Cadets.

Commander AAFC Group Captain (AAFC) Mark Dorward said, “The Diamond DA40 aircraft was chosen to provide a safe, comfortable and efficient means of positively inspiring young cadets’ interests in the aerospace and technology industries”.

Air Commodore Martin said: “The continued rollout of EFTS capability is a direct result of fantastic drive, passion and professionalism of the AOW staff and Cadet Branch–Air Force aviation operations staff. My sincere thanks to everyone in making this possible”.

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