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Saturday, 15 June 2013

Flight Training [ Pilot Training ]

Flight Training, involves more than learning the mechanical manipulation of an Aircraft's Flight Control. Physical or Mechanical Pilot's skill alone is not enough. Operational knowledge and understanding of the associated elements are particularly essential in Flying, where safety is the most important factor.



The more the Pilot understands the Theory of Flight also knone as Principles of Flying, how to apply those principles in performing maneuvers, and how the maneuvers relate to pertinent Pilot operations, the more competent that person will a good and Safe Pilot. Ground instruction ( whether in a formal or informal classroom ) and Pre Flight Training go hand in hand. Each complements the other and results in a training program which is more meaningful and comprehensive.


The Primary purpose of all Flight Training is to develop Safe, Proficient Pilots, the Flight Instructor expects from the student total cooperation and maximum effort towards these objectives.

As per any Aviation Regulator  the requirements which must be met before a person is certified as any Pilot. These requirements include the applicant's Physical condition, Mental condition, Aeronautical experience, General knowledge, and clear communication skill.

Aviation Regulator also prescribe the areas of Aeronautical knowledge required for Pilot certification. Also prescribe the Pilot operations in which proficiency is required for various Pilot certificates or ratings. A Pilot operation is 

a group of Procedures and Maneuvers involving Skills and Knowledge necessary to Safely and Efficiently Function as a Pilot in Command of the Flight.

Flight Safety:

The most of the  Pre Flight Planning and careful compliance with ground safety rules will in no way compensate for a lackadaisical attitude toward safety in flight. Since safety in flight relates to a great many things, no attempt will be made to cover them all in this chapter. 


Trainer Aircrafts

A trainer Airplane is a class of Aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of Pilots and Aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as SOlo flight controls, forgiving flight 

characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows Pilots-in-training to safely advance their real-time Piloting, navigation skills

The two seating configurations for trainer aircraft are Pilot and instructor side by side or in tandem, usually with the Pilot in front and the instructor behind. The side-by-side seating configuration has the advantage that Pilot and instructor can see each other's actions, allowing the Pilot to learn from the instructor and the instructor to correct the student Pilot. The tandem configuration has the advantage of being closer to the normal working environment 

that a fast jet Pilot is likely to encounter.

It is now the norm for Pilots to begin their flight training in an aircraft with side by side seating and to progress to aircraft with tandem seating. This however has not always been the case. 


Flight training across the world

1) Canada:

Pupil Pilots will be required to master ab initio side-by-side training prior to being transfered to the Central Flying School at Air Force Base Langebaanweg for the Basic Flying Phase. 

The following subjects will be presented: 

Ground phase
Aerodynamics
Navigation
Electronic warefare
Flying Phase: 
Pupil Pilots will be required to master a side-by-side 

Simulation exercises
General Flying
Formations
Instrument Flying
Navigational Flying
Night Flying
Ground School and Flying Phase

Initial basic Flying training has been outsourced to an external service provider, which conducts side-by-side Pilot training. On completion of this phase, successful pupil Pilots will qualify for a Private Pilots Licence (PPL) and continue with their training at the entral Flying School at Air Force Base Langebaanweg. 

It is during this second stage that the pupil Pilot is introduced to the Pilatus PC-7 Mk II Astra. Ground training includes every aspect of flight instruction and makes extensive use of computer based training. A Cockpit Procedural Trainer (CPT) is also used in conjunction with the PC-7 Mk II. Although some 'pupes' may already have a private Pilot's license, all are treated as if they have had no previous experience. 

The course has been based upon that conducted by the RAF with 

the Shorts Tucano, adjusted to suite South African 

conditions. Pupil Pilots will be required to master the 

Pilatus PC7 MkII trainer. 

The course is designed to lead the student through all 

aspects of flight operations, with ten sections to be 

mastered. These include formation, high, low level and night 

Flying. The student/instructor ratio is 2:1 during the Flying 

phase. In spite of the demanding syllabus, approximately 75% 

of the students selected graduate. 

Pupil Pilots qualify after a period of approximately 2 years 

and 7 months of training, of which approximately 65 Flying 

hours are spent on side-by-side trainer aircraft and 110 

Flying hours on the PC-7 Mk II. Both Pilot and navigator 

courses are completed at the same time when the Pupil Pilots 

and Learner Navigators receive their wings at the same time 

with due pomp and ceremony. 

On completion of the Flying phase, a selection board will be 

convened to determine in which line function a Pilot will be 

utilised, namely: Combat line, Rotorary Wing line or 

Transport line (including maritime). 

Criteria used for the allocation of Pilots to various line 

functions:
Need of the Air Force
Results and achievements on course
Own preference
Recommendation by Flying instructor
Pilots will be transferred to one of the following Air Force 

institutions for further training in their line function, 

before being utilised at the various squadrons of the SA Air 

Force:
Fighter line - 85 Combat Flying School
Transport line - 41 Sqn
Helicopter line - Ab-initio training at a private contractor, 

then to 87 Helicopter Flying School.
Advanced Flying Training
After graduation, Pilots selected for combat training are 

assigned to 85 Combat Flying School, AFB Hoedspruit, for the 

basic jet conversion course. 

Pilots destined to Fly helicopters or transports receive 

instruction with 87 Helicopter Flying School at AFB 

Bloemspruit (with basic helicopter training performed at 

Starlite Aviation in Durban) and 41 Squadron at AFB 

Waterkloof respectively. 

The Fighter Orientation Course (FOC) lasts seven months 

during which the two-seat Hawk is used. Phase One and Two 

involves conversion to the Hawk, general, instrument, close 

formation, night Flying and medium and low level navigation 

(three months and 38 hours). 

Phase Three is the introduction to basic fighter Flying and 

includes a tactical phase (battle formation, low and medium 

level tactical Flying, pre-planned strike and photo 

reconnaissance), a weapons phase (bombs, 30mm cannon) and an 

air warfare phase (fighter manoeuvres and air-to-air firing) 

(three months and 35 hours). 

On completion of this FOC, students will be re-assessed and 

then either be recommended for instructors course or to gain 

further experience and return for flight leaders course after 

3 years as an instructor or to continue on the consolidation 

phase prior to the flight leaders course. After a period of 9 

months, the selected candidates should be ready to start the 

next level of training.

Operational Training Course
The phase consists of a further 117 hours over a period of 

six months.

Consolidation Phase
The phase consists of a further 200 hours over a period of 

twelve months.

Flight Leaders Course
During the three month (40 hour) flight leader's course, very 

little theory training is done and it is expected of the 

student to give lectures and briefings, on which leadership, 

squadron operation and management is assessed. 

During the Tactical Phase, all aspects of tactical Flying and 

weapons delivery are covered, concentrating on leadership 

aspects. All aspects of single and multiple air combat and 

leadership aspects are specifically emphasised and assessed 

during the Air Warfare Phase. 

After this course, Pilots are once again assessed for 

maturity and suitability and after another consolidation 

phase will be routed to a high speed fighter unit for further 

training or instructors course at the Flying school.

Strike Leaders Course
This course consists of 20 hours over one month.

Instructor Qualified Pilots
These candidates follow the same route as above to the Flight 

Leaders consolidation phase. On completion of this phase, 

these candidates will do a basic fighter instructor course. 

This course runs in conjunction with an FOC on which these 

candidates will give instruction and lectures. The Instructos 

conversion course lasts 3 months and covers 38 hours. 

After completion of this phase, the Pilot will serve an 

instructional tour at 85 CFS of between 2 and 5 years.

Pilot Attack Instructors Course This course consists of 25 hours over one month.

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