The Royal Brunei Air Force operates four PC-7MkII trainer aircraft (defpro.com)

12:12 GMT, August 17, 2009 TAMWORTH, Australia | BAE Systems has expanded its unique military flight instruction program at the company’s Tamworth Flight Training Centre with the announcement that the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAF) has become its first customer for flying instructor training.

Two pilots from No 3 and No 5 Squadrons of the RBAF graduated at Tamworth on 7 August as Qualified Flying Instructors after attending an intensive, specially designed six-month course.

According to Lieutenant (U) Ak Mohd Zulhusmi Bin Pg Mohd Roslan from No 3 Squadron, “The Qualified Fixed Wing Course which I have undergone here at BAE Systems Tamworth has been of the highest standard.”

The RBAF has engaged BAE Systems to train its flying instructors, a move welcomed by John Quaife, General Manager of Aviation Solutions.

Mr Quaife said today that BAE Systems was the only private company capable of delivering this military instructor qualification course.

“Most air forces, including Australia’s, train their own flying instructors from within their own resources.

“For smaller air forces that require limited numbers of Flying Instructors, maintaining the overhead of a Central Flying School can be difficult, hence they often look to their allies and partners for help. The more usual solution is for military to military arrangements to be employed using the Central Flying School of the larger air force.

“However, at Tamworth, BAE Systems has been able to develop a capability to deliver a complete Qualified Flying Instructor training program for the RBAF.

“BAE Systems also trains Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) qualified instructors to obtain their CASA Commercial Pilot Licence and Instructor ratings.”

“We are able to offer a turn-key solution – delivering all ground training, flying training, accommodation and messing arrangements, backed up by our experience as a military flight training provider to the Australian Defence Force since 1994.

“This unique training package is another good example of the depth of capability offered by BAE Systems at our Tamworth facility and also reflects well on the abilities of our instructional staff,” Mr Quaife concluded.