The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
Before the war, training of a military pilot in Ukraine lasted five years and ended with a master’s degree. Today, the model is different: four years of bachelor’s studies plus specialization in combat brigades.
This was reported by Major General Oleksandr Turinskyi, Commander of Training of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
At the same time, cadets of the flight faculty undergo internships abroad: in the United Kingdom, France (light aircraft aviation), as well as at various partner facilities on combat aircraft (F-16, Mirage 2000).
“But our strategic goal is not permanent dependence on partners, but the creation of our own full training cycle, and this is entirely realistic”, — Turinskyi said.
Today, the training of Ukrainian military pilots is as close as possible to Western standards and consists of three phases.
Phase One: Light aircraft aviation
This is primarily a rigorous filter. Fifteen to twenty flight hours allow assessment of a candidate’s psychophysiology: stress resistance, reaction, motor skills, and ability to operate under load. This is where the key decision is made — whether a person has the potential to become a pilot.
Phase Two: Trainer-combat aircraft
Aircraft such as the L-39 and other modifications — essentially one step away from mastering combat aircraft. It is important to enhance capabilities by upgrading “flying classrooms” for cadets, equipping them with modern avionics and targeting systems adapted to Western equipment already in service.
Phase Three: Combat aircraft and brigades
Mastering F-16s, Mirage 2000s, and transport aviation aircraft. The principle is simple: a combat brigade must receive a pilot ready to employ combat equipment. However, this still requires many flight hours with an instructor and independent flights by a young pilot.
