Motivation for a fast-jet career

Winning a game of ‘scissors, paper, rock’ usually doesn’t mean much, but for student pilot Flight Lieutenant Dallin Stirling, his prize was a ride in an EA-18G Growler.

CAPTION: Flight Lieutenant Max, left, and Flight Lieutenant Dallin Stirling, a trainee from 2 Flight Training School, before an incentive flight in an EA-18G Growler at RAAF base Pearce during Exercise Centenarie Redimus. Story by Flying Officer Michael Thomas. Photo by Aircraftman Campbell Latch.

Two EA-18G Growler aircraft participating in Exercise Centenarie Redimus stopped over at RAAF Base Pearce and RAAF Base East Sale as part of 6 Squadron’s circumnavigation of Australia.

The exercise commemorated the 100th anniversary of Wing Commander Stanley Goble and Flight Lieutenant Ivor McIntyre’s flight around Australia in their Fairey IIID seaplane, and tested the squadron’s ability to operate from a variety of airfields across Australia.

As part of the exercise, four students from 2 Flight Training School and Air Mission Training School were offered an incentive flight to experience the aircraft’s handling capabilities and to provide motivation for aircrew considering a fast-jet career.

Flight Lieutenant Stirling said the flight was exhilarating and eye-opening.

“I’ve been thinking about the fast-jet pathway for some years and the more flying training I’ve done, the more I’ve been interested in it,” Flight Lieutenant Stirling said.

“This flight has definitely made fast jets seem much more real and something that I could potentially get on one day, not just some abstract thing off in the distance.”

Commanding Officer 6 Squadron Wing Commander Steve Thornton said these incentive flights were one of the key objectives of the exercise.

“Showcasing the Growler to up-and-coming aircrew is a rare opportunity,” Wing Commander Thornton said.

“We get to do a lot of interesting flights and tasks, so being able to motivate the next generation of aircrew is really rewarding.”

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