Pilot ventures into space studies

A background in science led to a professional curiosity in space engineering for one Army pilot.

CAPTION: Army pilot Captain Shaun Gill in front of a Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter from 1st Aviation Regiment at Robertson Barracks, NT. Story by Captain Carolyn Barnett. Photo by Corporal Rodrigo Villablanca.

1st Aviation Regiment pilot Captain Shaun Gill completed a degree in science at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) before going on to complete his Army pilot training. Now he’s studying a Master of Space Engineering through the University of NSW Canberra campus at ADFA.

Growing up in Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia, Captain Gill said the school he attended placed a strong emphasis on science subjects.

“I first developed my passion for science at school,” Captain Gill said.

“Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) foster a number of transferable skills that are relevant to employment in a wide variety of roles.

“The skills developed in studying science have helped with this new challenge.”

STEM studies develop skills that apply to a wide variety of real-world situations.

These skills include the evaluation of information and collaboration with others to generate solutions to problems.

Captain Gill said every lesson learnt is applied in day-to-day flying operations.

“1st Aviation Regiment’s Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters are operated by two pilots, so the ability to critically assess information and work together as a team is essential,” Captain Gill said.

“It’s also a role that includes a good combination of theory and practical application of those skills.

“I am truly lucky because the job has been exactly what I expected.”

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