From Black Hawk cockpit to Qantas A380
What’s happening?
When Lieutenant Colonel Clinton Shiell joined the Royal Australian Artillery, flying a Qantas A380 was not part of the plan.
Born in Bendigo and raised on the Gold Coast, Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said his family’s military history helped shape his path. His great-grandfather, Trooper Morris Shiell, served in World War I with the 8th Light Horse Regiment. His grandfather, Flying Officer Max Shiell, was a World War II RAAF Lancaster pilot.
“My grandfather was an incredible influence on me growing up, and I couldn’t think of a better man to emulate,” Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said.
After joining the Army, the former Somerset College student was posted to the 1st Artillery Regiment’s 105th Medium Battery. His career later shifted into aviation, then airline training, and later the cockpit of Qantas’ largest passenger aircraft.
He went on to become a Black Hawk pilot and later worked as an instructor at the ADF’s Basic Flying Training School.
Lieutenant Colonel Shiell then moved into the Army Reserve after taking a full-time role with QantasLink as a Dash 8 instructor. He has since moved on to fly the Qantas A380.
At the time of the interview, Lieutenant Colonel Shiell was preparing to pilot an A380 carrying Australian Army Aviation Commander Major General David Hafner to an overseas conference.
In his Army Reserve role, he is also the commanding officer of the 11th Engineer Regiment, based in Queensland.
Why it matters?
Lieutenant Colonel Shiell’s career shows how Army training can carry into leadership and civilian aviation.
He said early command experience gave him opportunities he may not have had if he had gone straight into aviation.
“The opportunity to command soldiers is not generally one that I would have had if I went straight into aviation,” he said.
He also said his time at the ADF’s Basic Flying Training School became his favourite posting.
“I went from flying Black Hawks with Special Operations Command to light, single-engine fixed-wing aeroplanes,” he said.
“The flying wasn’t as dynamic, but the people were the reason I came to work.”
Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said the training he received in the Army helped him move into airline instruction.
“Going directly from Black Hawk and CT/4 Airtrainer to training people on a big turboprop was a steep learning curve,” he said.
“The job was really busy, but being a part of young pilots succeeding in their first airline job was terrific. I found the training that the Army had provided me really set me up for success.”
Local Impact
He grew up on the Gold Coast and attended Somerset College before building a career across the Army, Army Reserve and Qantas.
His current Army Reserve command is also based in Queensland.
“[The Regiment’s role includes] enhancing the mobility and protection of our force while degrading the ability of our adversaries to move freely on the battlespace,” he said.
By the numbers
Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said he has served in the ADF for 23 years, spanning artillery, aviation and Reserve leadership.
A Black Hawk flight in 2003 changed how he saw Army aviation and pushed him towards becoming a pilot.
His early Army training included qualifications on the L118 105mm and M198 155mm guns.
Zoom in
Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said the ADF’s Basic Flying Training School became his favourite posting.
He said the flying was different from Black Hawk operations, but the people made the role stand out.
He now flies the A380, which he said still leaves a strong impression.
“The size of the aircraft is always impressive. No matter how many times you see it, every time I do the walk-around of the aircraft, I pinch myself,” Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said.
“It’s a long way from flying Kiowa and Black Hawk, and when I think back to the start of my career, I would never have thought I’d get to the A380.”
Even so, he said the Black Hawk remains his favourite aircraft.
“Each one has pros and cons, but nothing beats the thrill and excitement of flying a Black Hawk helicopter at low level in support of army operations,” Lieutenant Colonel Shiell said.
Zoom out
Lieutenant Colonel Shiell’s path has spanned artillery, helicopter operations, fixed-wing instruction, airline training and commercial long-haul flying.
His career also shows how military service can shape skills that carry well beyond full-time Army work.
What to look for next?
At the time of the interview, Lieutenant Colonel Shiell was preparing for another major task, piloting an A380 carrying Major General David Hafner to an overseas conference.
He said his Army background remains the foundation of his career.
“I’ve been serving in the ADF for 23 years and I’m really proud of my career and what the Army has helped me achieve,” he said.
“The success I have sits on the foundation that my training and experience in the Army has built.”