An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir October 2017 www.dfmagazine.ie 14 | Air Corps Pilot Training By COMDT FABIO SCALICI, OC FTS T he Air Corps Flying Training School (FTS) is responsible for the training of ab initio and flying-instructor pilots for the Defence Forces. Our contingent operational roles include air-to-ground weapons employment, basic fighter manoeuvre, and aircraft interception. Additionally, high profile ceremonial flypasts and aerobatic display flying contribute to raising the profile of the Defence Forces. The PC-9M is a stable and highly responsive aircraft with excellent handling characteristics. It has all the qualities required to be an ab initio trainer while al- lowing more advanced forms of operational flying. The advanced cockpit avionics combined with the flat-rated 950 shp Pratt and Whitney engine pro- vide a highly versatile platform for the Air Corps. Our main effort is towards cadet pilot training and this course is broken down into three phases. Phase 1 is completed with other Defence Forces cadet streams in the Cadet School, DFTC, and takes approximately nine months. This phase develops military and leadership skills, a core requirement of any modern military pilot officer. For Phase 2 the cadets return to Casement Aero- drome and begin their aviation ground school. This continues for approximately ten months, focus- sing on the 14-subject syllabus of the civilian Airline Transport Pilots Licence course. In addition to tuition and testing within the FTS, the students are also examined by the Irish Aviation Authority, thereby validating the quality of the FTS instructional process. Following successful completion of their exami- nations the cadets begin Phase 3: flying training. Prior to strapping into the PC-9M ejection seat, the cadets undergo in-depth training on aircraft systems, post-aircraft-ejection drills, hypoxia, centrifuge G- force resilience, and land and sea survival, preparing them for the challenging aircraft they are about to fly. The G-force tolerance training allows students to experience what it will feel like when they fly the PC-9M, where accelerations of up to seven times normal gravity are permitted. At these large accel- erations it can be difficult to see, breathe and move your body, so this preparatory training is essential. Vox Pops Cadet Matthew o'Brien "I served as a commop on LÉ Orla prior to getting the Air Corps cadet- ship and while I enjoyed my time in the Naval Service I always wanted to be a pilot. The cadetship has been challenging at times in different ways for each stage so far; from physically demanding in stage one, to developing leadership in stage two, and very academic in stage three. I am looking forward to flying in the near future, which will pro- vide other challenges to overcome." Cadet oisín Murtagh "I completed my leaving cert in June 2014 and had already applied for an Air Corps cadetship. I had an interest in aviation and the military from a young age and the Air Corps seemed like the obvious choice for me. In September 2014 I was accepted for a cadetship and began my training with the 33rd Air Corps Cadet Class. I am currently about two-thirds of the way through the flying course due to finish up later this year."

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