Nowra to be new home of adf helicopter training
HMAS ALBATROSS, at Nowra in NSW, has been selected as the location of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) joint helicopter school.
The new helicopter school is being established under the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) announced in February this year. The helicopter school will train up to 60 pilots, 40 aircrewmen/loadmasters and 12 Observers per year and will help create around 100 civilian positions for maintenance, support and training roles.
HATS is a $500 - $700 million project to replace aircrew training on Navy Squirrel and Army Kiowa helicopters and is part of a broader integrated training strategy.
The project will deliver advanced training systems and better equip ADF aircrew to fly more operationally-advance helicopters such as the Seahawk, MRH-90 Multi-Role Helicopter, Seasprite, Black Hawk, Chinook and the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter.
Nowra is a most suitable location to provide the broad range of training environments required for the ADF’s aircrew. It has varied terrain to the west of the base where overland skills such as low level navigation can be practiced without undue noise impact. To the east, Jervis Bay and the Eastern Australian Exercise Area are ideal for maritime training and provide an opportunity to work with the Navy’s warships.
Building the school at Nowra will see the development of facilities worth approximately $100 million. This will provide an opportunity for the aviation industry to grow in the Shoalhaven which will result in an increase in aviation jobs and training opportunities in the region.
The selection of Nowra has taken place after a detailed study into how to provide high quality training at the best value for money.
Helicopter aircrew graduating from their initial HATS training will undertake operational flying conversion to other aircraft types. Seahawk and Seasprite training will remain at Nowra, with MRH-90 and Tiger training at Oakey and Chinook training at Townsville.
Earlier Australia had invested $135 million for Tiger and MRH-90 training facilities at Oakey.
Construction of the new hangars and associated facilities is planned to start in 2012 with undergraduate aircrew training to commence in 2013.
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