ITALIAN AIR FORCE COMPLETES TRAINING OF YOUNG AUSTRIAN FIGHTER PILOTS

Italian Air Force completes training of young Austrian fighter pilots.

On August 16, two Lieutenant pilots of the Austrian Air Force received from the Colonel Alberto Surace, Commander of the Italian Air Force 61st Wing, the pilot licenses following the completion of the L.I.F.T. (Lead in to Fighter Training) which is the last stage of training to become a military pilot.

The training was held by instructor pilots of the 212th Flight Group and lasted about nine months during which the young Austrian pilots, designed to the Eurofighter, have faced hard theoretical and practical activities for a total of approx. 250 flight hours: half carried out aboard T-346A advanced jet trainer and the others on the simulator.

The integration of advanced simulation systems is the main goal related to the modernization of training and flight operations, it represents the new era of the Italian Air Force, called 'Aeronautica 4.0'. Aeronautica 4.0 is a 360° innovation process that involves all the main sectors of the Armed Force: personnel, logistics, training and operations. The goal is to offer very faithful and integrated training models.

The 212th Flight Group adopts a state-of-the-art M-346 Full Mission Simulator (FMS) provided by the italian aerospace company Leonardo. It is a state-of-the-art simulator that delivers high performance for tactical training. Its characteristics include high maneuverability, formation (2-4 ship, including low, medium and high altitude, all-weather and night), in-flight refueling (all-weather and night), basic maneuvers, dogfighting, and advanced combat tactics, attack and fighter tactics.

Written by Matteo Sanzani

Source, Image: Italian AF