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High flyers: Entire RAAF fast jet training cohort passes

Air

14 July 2025

By: Adam Thorn

The entire cohort of 10 pilots who attempted the RAAF’s five-month fighter jet training course at Williamtown passed – a feat not seen in 25 years.

The Commanding Officer of No. 76 Squadron, Wing Commander Michael Green, called the result “remarkable” and added that it came despite years of poor results caused by COVID-19 disruption.

Out of the 10 successful graduates completing the Introductory Fighter Course (IFC), five will now go on to complete a conversion course to the F-35A, two to the Super Hornet, and another two to the Growler.

Currently, aspiring fighter pilots either train initially in the Hawk 127 or the Pilatus PC-21.

“Over the preceding five years, the output from 76 Squadron and the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter pipeline has been low,” WGCDR Green said.

“This was due to many factors, most notably due to the challenges associated with introducing the Pilatus PC-21 into the Pilot Training System and the COVID pandemic.”

“To emerge from this period and graduate 10 quality pilots from 10 candidates is remarkable.”

Exacerbating these challenges was the re-engine project for the Hawk 127 Lead-In Fighter, which reduced aircraft availability over the previous 18 months.

“The icing on the cake for this achievement is that all 10 have performed to an extremely high standard. This is critical for Air Combat Group as there is not only a need for increased numbers flowing into the operational squadrons, but a need for aircrew that will excel in their role.”

“Training pilots is a continuum, and every unit along the pipeline needs to understand their part and do it well.”

The Hawk Mark 127 Lead-In Fighter is a tandem, two-seat jet aircraft used to prepare fast jet aircrews for operational conversion to the F/A-18 Hornet, F/A-18 Super Hornet and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

The type entered service in 2001 and is currently operated by No. 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown and No. 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce. It’s known as one of the world’s most successful jet trainer aircraft, with more than 1,000 ordered globally.

The PC-21, meanwhile, is a turboprop aircraft powered by a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68B engine and has a stepped tandem cockpit seating the student in front and the instructor behind.

Its design is focused on preparing recruits for fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35; it has a pressurised cockpit, air conditioning, an anti-G system, an onboard oxygen generator and can fly at low-level speeds over 320 knots.

In operation for more than seven years, it has replaced both the ageing Pilatus PC-9/A advanced trainer, which was in service since 1988, and the CT-4B Airtrainer, which was used for basic training.