As a Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) Pilot, you never really know what to expect—and that's why simulated emergency landings, and even the odd kangaroo strike, are all part of the rigorous training that ensures they are prepared for anything.
The new RFDS Aeromedical Training Academy in Bundaberg has been designed to do exactly that, training the next generation of RFDS pilots in a world-leading facility.
Pilot, Elliott Johnston recently completed training at the new facility in Bundaberg. Here is what his day as a pilot in training looks like.
9:00am
I arrive at the Aeromedical Training Academy in Bundaberg and the first thing I do is print off the flight plan for today’s training. As this is going through to the printer, I have a moment to make myself an essential cup of coffee. Looks like today I’m flying from Townsville.
9:30am
I meet up with the Flight Standards Pilot and we make our way to the training room where I am briefed on what will be taking place in our two-hour simulator session. Today, we are looking at engine failure during the takeoff phase, so we discuss underpinning knowledge, aircraft handing and checklist usage, all before we enter the flight simulator.
11:00am
Now briefed and ready to go, we head up to the flight simulator. I strap myself in, while the Flight Standards Pilot sits behind me and programs the weather, which is always dreadful in simulator land. Once the door is closed and we are “on motion,” I go through my checklists, start the engines and begin preparing for departure.
11:15am
I request clearance from Air Traffic Control and it’s time to fly. It’s all systems go, maximum power, point the nose of the aircraft above the horizon and landing gear up. All routine so far, until I feel the aircraft jerk to one side. A red flashing light appears in front of me and a voice through my headset tells me something has happened that shouldn’t have. Just as we discussed in the classroom, I correct the undesired change in the flight path and carry out the actions I am required to have memorised.
The left engine and the left propeller, yep, both stopped. I guess the lesson has begun.
I verify the aircraft is flying the route I need to clear Magnetic Island, and once safe, engage the autopilot. I tell Air Traffic Control we are having a problem, and ensure the flight nurse, aka the Flight Standards Pilot behind, is seated and calm. A quick mental regroup to understand what’s happened, where are we now and where are we going.
We climb to a safe altitude so I can secure the failed engine and prepare for what comes next—a single engine landing. Air Traffic Control has no great news, the cloud base has dropped in some rain and is just above the limit. I have plenty of fuel. Time to brief the flight nurse.
Approach preparation for landing is complete, including what will follow if that rain gets heavier and we can’t land this time around. Air Traffic Control clears us to make an approach, so down we go.
The instruments show we are on course and neither too high nor too low. “500” sounds through my headset, which means we are 500 feet above the ground and still in cloud. 300 is the limit on this one and Air Traffic Control told me the cloud was 400 feet …
Right on cue, the runway lights become visible, and we touch down not a minute later. It’s incredible how real it feels, even though we are sitting in a simulator.
12:30pm
It’s time to practice the aircraft handling aspects of these engine failures, so with a press of a button we are back at the start of Townsville’s runway. After half a dozen more of various complexity, I’m told to shutdown as I feel the simulator lowering off its hydraulic jacks.
1:00pm
We walk back to the classroom to debrief on each aspect of the lesson.
2:00pm
A day of training is complete. I sign off for the day and head home to prepare for tomorrow’s lesson.
Pilot training for the RFDS has been transformed by this facility in Bundaberg, which houses the only Beechcraft King Air B360 Full-Flight Simulator in Australia. The Flight Simulator mimics the movement and controls of many aircraft in the RFDS fleet and allows integral pilot training to take place.
Want to check it out for yourself? Limited tickets are available for an exclusive tour of the new Aeromedical Training Academy at the family fun Picnic with the Planes – RFDS Bundaberg Base event on Saturday 10 May.
Book tickets here.
