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Four Australian Defence Force officers have successfully graduated from one of the most selective and prestigious flight test training programs in the world at the Empire Test Pilots’ School.
The program sees students combine academic and practical flight training, with a particular focus on planning and analysing complicated flight programs.
These skills are valuable and transferable to the future training methods and teaching provided to national air forces.
One of the four Aussies who took part on this year’s program, Flight Lieutenant Sam Nery (49 Flight Test Engineer Course), was awarded the Hawker Hunter Trophy, which recognises the best fixed wing group capstone assessment.
In addition to this, FLTLT Nery was awarded the Edwards Trophy, an accolade given to the most improved student in the program.
“As an engineer with minimal prior aviation experience, the most challenging part of the course was learning how to operate as aircrew on the fly, while simultaneously completing the course academics,” he said.
Also recognised by the Empire Test Pilots’ School was Royal Australian Air Force course instructor Squadron Leader John Appleton.
He was awarded the Wren Trophy, which is awarded to the best instructor for the year. He is the first instructor from the Australian Defence Force since the school was originally established in 1943.
Since its establishment, over 1,500 students have graduated from over 32 nations worldwide.
