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Amazing Air Force Aircraft

Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

The C-17 Globemaster III is one of the newest Air Force aircraft. It needs three crew members to fly it. There are two pilots, as well as someone called a loadmaster, who makes sure that the cargo is loaded safely.

The C-17 is used to carry troops, vehicles, helicopters and other heavy cargo to where they are needed.

These aircraft carry water, food and other supplies to help in Australia and overseas when there has been a disaster such as a cyclone.

Pilatus PC-9/A and the Roulettes

The Pilatus PC-9/A aircraft is used to train Defence Force pilots. You may also have seen this aircraft flown by the Roulettes display team at air shows.

Six of these aircraft and their pilots make up the Roulettes.

Roulette pilots are very skilled and do huge amounts of practice. When they perform, one aircraft may be only three metres away from another!

Boeing F/A-18 Hornet

The F/A-18 Hornet is a fighter aircraft. The Hornet can fire missiles and hit almost any target at which it aims. It doesn't matter whether the target is in the air or on the ground. This is one of the best fighter aircraft in the world!

The Hornet can take on fuel from one of the RAAF's tanker aircraft, while they are both in the air.

Lockheed Martin AP-3C Orion

The AP-3C Orion is flown by two pilots. One is the captain and the other is called the co-pilot.

The Orion has lots of jobs. It flies along our coastlines, on the lookout for illegal fishing boats from other countries. It helps to keep Australia safe and it also assists with search and rescue missions.

The Orion has four very powerful engines. You would need about 20 family cars to create the same amount of power that comes from just one Orion engine. Imagine that!