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CONTACT magazine

CONTACT Cadets

DA40 NG ‘VH-UEO’ on final approach to Essendon Airport to refuel on 10 September 2020. Photo credited to CPL(AAFC) Edward Vincent of EFTS and aircraft spotters group at Essendon Airport.
CONTACT Cadets 

Elementary Flying Training School – still flying

14/09/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3219 Views 0 Comments

During the COVID-19 operational pause in Cadet activities, Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) has kept flying.

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CCPL Jack Shadwick receives his first powered solo flight commemorative patch from the Executive Officer of No 704 Squadron, FLGOFF(AAFC) James Firkins, himself a qualified pilot and instructor.
CONTACT Cadets 

First solo flight – Corporal Jack Shadwick

11/09/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4507 Views 0 Comments

It was the day in which my instructor would put the aircraft in my hands. I was going to do my first ever solo – aged 15.

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CONTACT Cadets 

AAFC looking forward to more solo pilot flights

27/07/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2275 Views 0 Comments

AAFC’s Aviation Operations Wing has been restructured to better achieve its aim of delivering flying pathways through gliding and powered flying training.

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Leading Cadet Luke Gould from 403 Squadron is congratulated by his instructor SQNLDR Gary Presneill, EFTS Head of Operations following his first solo flight in the Diamond DA40 NG on 18 April 2019. Photo supplied by the Elementary Flying Training School, Point Cook.
CONTACT Cadets 

PILOT PROFILE: Leading Cadet Luke Gould – DA40 NG solo pilot

16/06/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2807 Views 0 Comments

As an operational pause in Cadet activities continues, some AAFC members have taken the opportunity to reflect on the milestones they achieved to date.

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CONTACT Cadets 

AAFC releases flying training videos for Diamond DA40 NG

06/06/202006/06/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4028 Views 0 Comments

AAFC aviation staff have been busy putting the finishing touches to some aviation training videos while Defence Cadet activities are in an operational pause

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Lachlan Davis from 428 Squadron, a Cadet Sergeant at the time, is congratulated by his instructor WGCDR (AAFC) Stephen Pepper, Officer Commanding Aviation Operations Wing, following his first solo flight in the Diamond DA40 NG on 18 April 2019. Image supplied by the Elementary Flying Training School, Point Cook.
CONTACT Cadets 

PILOT PROFILE: CUO Lachlan Davis

20/05/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3485 Views 0 Comments

During the current operational pause in Cadet activities, CUO Lachlan Davis reflects on the milestones he has achieved with the Australian Air Force Cadets.

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Cadet Aaron Cahill with his instructor Pilot Officer (AAFC) Chris Hulley from the AAFC’s Elementary Flying Training School. Photo by PLTOFF(AAFC) Jane McDonald.
CONTACT Cadets 

Diamonds arrive at Amberley – flying opportunities for Queensland cadets

21/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3755 Views 0 Comments

When AAFC training activities eventually resume*, Air Force Cadets in Queensland will benefit from substantially enhanced aviation-training opportunities following the

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CDT Gladwin Shekarr, CDT Billy Morgan and LCDT Bradley Gallimore from 708 Squadron receive a pre-flight brief from RACWA pilot instructor Mark Dawson before their flight in a Cessna 172R Skyhawk. Cadet Morgan later said, “There really was no way to get bored on that flight”. Photo supplied by PLTOFF(AAFC) Alex Hartner.
CONTACT Cadets 

Introducing the WALO – AAFC’s Wing Aviation Liaison Officers

16/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4631 Views 0 Comments AAFC

OC Aviation Operations Wing AAFC Wing Commander (AAFC) Steve Pepper recently announced improvements to the way flying training will be managed in AAFC.

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The Hawker Demon propeller from the 1930s, refurbished and on display at the Macclesfield Sub-Branch RSL. Photo by Pilot Officer (AAFC) Paul Lemar.
CONTACT Cadets 

Demon propeller lives at Macclesfield RSL thanks to AAFC

15/04/202015/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2581 Views 0 Comments Hawker Demon

Courtesy of the AAFC, a Hawker Demon propeller from the 1930s is now fully refreshed and installed at the Macclesfield Sub-Branch RSL in South Australia.

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Cadet Sergeant Jasmine King, 708 Squadron, before her flight in a Cessna A152 Aerobat. Photo supplied by PLTOFF(AAFC) Alex Hartner.
CONTACT Cadets 

Reflections on a flying opportunity over Jandakot

13/04/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2874 Views 0 Comments AAFC

Two Western Australian Australian Air Force Cadet units participated in a very memorable flying activity out of Jandakot airport in Perths southern suburbs.

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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.
CONTACT Cadets 

Diamonds deploy to Richmond

05/03/202006/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 4761 Views 0 Comments

More flying opportunities for NSW Cadets Air Force Cadets in New South Wales and the ACT are about to have

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Air Force Cadets from Warrnambool’s 413 Squadron with the HEMS4 AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter. The HEMS4 MICA Flight Paramedic Andrew Osborne is on the far left of the group. Photo by PLTOFF(AAFC) Jane McDonald.
CONTACT Cadets 

PEX, EFTS, HEMS, MICA – Air Force Cadets learn acronyms

05/03/202005/03/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3585 Views 0 Comments