Flight Test in the Royal Australian Navy: An insight into SHOL

Please note that registration is ESSENTIAL and physical attendees will need to provide proof of full vaccination to RMIT staff at the door. This is the presentation that was planned for 2021.

Venue: RMIT University, Building 80, Level 1, Room 002

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN), through the Aircraft Maintenance and Flight Trials Unit (AMAFTU) has been conducting maritime flight test since 1964. Join Test Pilot Commander Brad Mackay, Aerosystems Specialist Lieutenant Commander Chris Prescott, Flight Test Engineer Dave Vaughan and Test Remote Pilot Michael Mulquiney as they discuss maritime flight test in the RAN. The presenters will outline the variety of work conducted at AMAFTU, their experiences of training at world-renowned flight test schools before shifting the focus to the conduct of First of Class Flight Trials.

First of Class Flight Trials are an important sub-section of the flight test conducted at AMAFTU which focus on ship helicopter integration. The key flying element of First of Class Flight Trials are the development of the Ship Helicopter Operating Limits (SHOL) that defines the relative wind and ship motion for specific aircraft and ship configurations. The presenters will provide the background on what a SHOL is and how they are developed including weight management and pilot effort rating scales.

CMDR Brad Mackay: CO AMAFTU

After graduating from the Australian Defence Force Academy as an Air Force engineer, Brad Mackay was posted to RAAF Amberley where he worked as a design engineer on F111. He was also part of a significant aircraft maintenance transformation through the Commercial Support Program. Although enjoying the Air Force, Brad joined the Navy to fly and undertook the normal progression through basic flying on PC9s to helicopter conversion on the AS350 or Squirrel. On arrival at HMAS Albatross, he was converted on the Kiowa and flew both the Squirrel and Kiowa for about 1 year. In 1998, he was posted to operate the Sea King in the Royal Marine Commando Squadrons in the UK for 3 years, a posting that included service as part of the NATO task group in support of action in the Former Yugoslavia and various Mediterranean operations. On return from the UK, he was posted to ADFA as a DO prior to being posted to Empire Test Pilots Course in in Wiltshire, UK. He completed the course as the top rotary graduate in 2002, completed his Master Degree in Flight Dynamics and returned to be the Sea Sprite test pilot. After a professionally rewarding yet demanding post, Brad was posted to Marianne, France, to be the lead Navy test pilot on the MRH90 program. Again, a very rewarding experience both professionally and with the family. During this period, he also completed a Masters in Business. In 2009, Brad was posted to AMAFTU as the Chief of Flight Test prior to taking over Executive Officer 816 SQN from 2010 to 2012. During this period, he was able to lead several detachments and a Flight to RIMPAC. Brad was promoted on posting to RANTEAA in Sydney (Navy’s operational test area) for 3 years, and enjoyed the Fleet Aviation Officer role until 2017. Prior to CO AMAFTU, he was employed as the Navy’s Director of Training for Safety and Seaworthiness. Brad is married to Sari and has four kids; Emily (18), Charlotta (17), Isabella (15) and Kristian (10). The family are remaining in Sydney for work and school whilst Brad lives in Gerringong to enjoy the coastal lifestyle. He is a committed surf life saver and although loving the surf boats, he enjoys all sports.

LCDR Chris Prescott: XO AMAFTU

After graduating BEng (Aero) in 2003 Chris applied for Navy Observer and enlisted in Jul 2005. He completed Basic Observer Course in 2007 and posted to 723 Sqn to fly the AS350BA and A109 helicopters. Chris commenced S-70B-2 Seahawk Operational Flying Training at 816 Sqn in 2010 and after completion, he posted to Flight 1, HMAS Anzac. He completed an operational deployment to the Middle East with Anzac and on return applied for Aero Systems Course (ASC).

Chris undertook ASC with the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies in Winnipeg, Canada and subsequently posted to AMAFTU and completed a conversion to the MH-60R Seahawk in 2015. At AMAFTU, Chris took part in First of Class Flight Trials for the MH-60R with Adelaide, Canberra and Hobart Class Ships and managed trial and integration work with Unmanned Aerial Systems. Chris also completed an operational deployment with MH-60R Flight 7 in HMAS Stuart and was involved in operations and exercises in South East Asia in 2018.

Before posting back to AMAFTU as XO in 2021, Chris was the aviation trials officer at the Maritime Warfare Centre, where he supported aviation projects, capability test and evaluation, and tactical development. Chris lives in Gerringong with his fiancée Carly and they enjoy the outdoor lifestyle that the South Coast brings. He is passionate about motor sport and has a keen interest in history.

LEUT Dave Vaughan: Flight Test Engineer

LEUT Vaughan left the seaside town of Tannum Sands in Central Queensland and joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 2011. He completed a Bachelor of Aeronautical Engineering through the University of New South Wales Canberra Campus whilst at the Australian Defence Force Academy in 2015. LEUT Vaughan was a posted to the Naval Aviation Systems Project Office as a design engineer in 2017 before posting to Empire Test Pilots School for the 2019 Rotary Course. LEUT Vaughan remained in the UK until March 2020, to conduct further study at Cranfield University. LEUT Vaughan has recently completed his thesis marking the completion of a Masters in Flight Test and Flight Dynamics. LEUT Vaughan has been posted to AMAFTU where he has been involved with MH-60R, MRH90, ScanEagle and Schiebel S100 flight trials.

LEUT Michael Mulquiney: Qualified Test Remote Pilot

LEUT Mulquiney joined the RAN in 2008 as a trainee pilot, bringing significant life experience in Civil Aviation as a Qualified Flight Instructor, and heavy industry as a process operator. He completed RAAF Advanced Pilot course in 2012, and conducted rotary conversion on the AS350BA Squirrel being employed as a Maintenance Test Pilot for 2 years. He completed Operational conversion on the S70 Bravo Seahawk Helicopter in 2015 embarking in HMAS Arunta to conduct deployments throughout the North and South East Asia regions, and in 2016/17 deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations. Michael completed a Masters in Aviation Management focussing on Advanced Human Factors with the University of Newcastle. In 2018 he transitioned to the RAN’s emerging Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Unit, now formally known as 822X Squadron where he applied his manned aviation experience to oversee multiple embarked and remote location detachments, including significant involvement in UAS OT&E and First of Class Flight Trials. During 2020, the Fleet Air Arm formally recognised the requirement to establish a UAS Test Specialist position within AMAFTU. Michael became the first ADF member to undertake UAS Test Training with the International Test Pilot School (ITPS) in London, Ontario Canada during 2021. He is type qualified to operate all classes of RAN UAS, which include the fixed wing Insitu ScanEagle and rotary wing Schiebel S-100 Camcopter. Outside of Test and Evaluation tasking, Michael continues to develop the framework to formalise UAS Test Remote Pilot Training requirements, and is intimately involved in mentoring members of the Remote Pilot category. Michael lives with his wife in Nowra NSW, has one son and adorable twin grandsons. Michael is an avid motorsport fan, actively engages in house renovations and maintains flying currency with light civil aircraft, including some very relaxing floatplane operations on the NSW south coast.

Host or Publisher Royal Aeronautical Society Melbourne Branch