Polish Air Force student pilots fly M-346 Bielik for first time

Polish Air Force student pilots fly the M-346 Bielik for the first time.

April 16, 2019 marked the beginning of a new era for the Polish Air Force (PAF) flight school at Deblin: the cadets sat in the cockpit of the new M-346 Bielik for the first time.

As we reported in our previous article, in mid-March a group of four student-pilots in the fifth year of the Polish Military Academy began their theoretical training in order to be able to fly on the highly advanced trainer jet. During the weeks that preceded the flight, the young pilots studied all the peculiarities of the M-346 and the meteorological characteristics of the airfield.

Subsequently, they conducted training with the simulator, replicating all flight procedures: from starting engines and on-board systems to performing specific missions.

During the training in the air, cadets will perform tactical activities that include Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground missions. This type of advanced training is made possible thanks to modern aircraft systems and will last until next November.

The M-346 Bielik becomes the main element of the national training system on jet planes. It allows PAF to reduce flight hours, including those made on F-16 fighters. In the future, it will reduce the time to prepare pilots to reach combat status and will increase the readiness to carry out combat activities. Basically, training will be more effective, less expensive and conducted through the exclusive use of national capabilities.