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After three weeks of grounding due to an “engine issue” during a training flight, the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of 33 BAE Systems Hawk 127 Lead-in Fighter Trainers are back flying.
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An incident occurred in mid-May at RAAF Base Pearce when a Hawk aircraft experienced an unspecified engine mishap, forcing the trainee pilot to land the aircraft.
They were able to do so safely without damage or injury.
Following the incident, the RAAF grounded the fleet of Hawks for three weeks to allow the investigation to provide enough time to deliver preliminary findings and to discover the cause of the incident.
On 6 June, the Hawk aircraft were cleared to resume flying, with no operational restrictions.
In February, BAE Systems agreed to a two-year, $245 million deal to continue sustainment of the aircraft, until at least the end of 2022.
The Hawk is the most advanced and successful jet trainer aircraft available with over 20,000 pilots prepared throughout 18 countries using the platform.
Student pilots can be put in control of combat aircraft, such as the F-35, using advanced airborne simulation technology, with the Hawk described as a “flying classroom” that delivers “a seamless transition to the front line at a fraction of the through-life cost of its competitors”.
The aircraft are operated by No. 76 Squadron at RAAF Base Williamtown and No. 79 Squadron at RAAF Base Pearce.
