First flights

Back to Roots in Modern Edition

The decision to let sub-commissioned officers for pilot training is not accidental. In Dęblin, a model known decades ago, erstwhile the Air Ensign School functioned, returns. Personnel shortages in military aviation are becoming increasingly felt. The acquisition of nearly hundreds of AH-64E helicopters forces a fast increase in crews. Estimatedly, we request up to 400 trained pilots. The conventional education strategy is not able to supply specified a number of specialists in the short term, so it was decided to open a fresh path.

Implementation: Paulina Ciesielska, Marcin Kopieć. Organisation: Marta Kazmierczak

The pilot program lasts 2 years and covers respective stages. According to Major Marek Przedepleski, spokesperson for the Military Academy of Aviation, it is mainly attended by sub-commissioners with experience in the service of aviation engineering. The training process itself is multi-stage and starts with a selection checking candidates' ability to fly. The students then undergo theoretical training, simulation exercises and language preparation. Only then is the applicable phase – at the Academic Air Training Center LAW.

However, before the officers sat behind the rudders, they had to undergo rigorous investigation at the territory Military medicine Commission at the Military Institute of Aviation medicine and get the appropriate wellness category, or Z1C. They were then selected for English knowledge. “They have besides sanded their language in our survey of abroad Languages for training, which will proceed abroad”, emphasised Colonel Weltrowski. The key criterion was besides the age of candidates, only soldiers under 35 were admitted to the program. However, as the instructors emphasize, the younger they become specialized military chopper pilots, the better.

Switch from simulator

For the D.C. Dominica Capala from 41 School Aviation Bases The first R44 Robinson chopper flight had a peculiar dimension. She is 1 of the 2 women participating in the pilot program and was the first of the full group to emergence to the air. “I am honored to be the first to participate in this training, and this in the first flight,” she says. He doesn't hide his emotions. The control from simulator to real device takes place almost immediately, so – as Dominic admits – the stress is double. Any mistake can have serious consequences. – So far we had theoretical training, so it was hard to imagine what it would look like. But it turned out to be very intense, we got quite a few information. I think I took a lot out of it and I will now be able to translate it into practice – he besides stresses that after the briefing he feels prepared for his first training mission.

Briefing and later debriefing are crucial for flight safety and efficiency. During the morning check-in before the start, an action plan is established, procedures and possible risks are discussed. The flight shall be followed by an analysis of the tasks performed, errors, if any, and requests to improve pilot skills. It is frequently much longer than the flight itself. “If the mission lasts an hour, debriefing can last even 2 or 3 hours,” says Colonel Weltrowski. As Dominica says, instructors have paid peculiar attention to issues that are much needed to prepare for flight, namely meteorology and navigation. She admits that navigation was the biggest challenge for her. – quite a few calculations, mathematics – he tells before the start.

Fr Ernest Bishop of 8 Krakow Transport Air Base He had his first mission during applicable training on Robinson as the second after Dominica. He stresses that the pace of discipline is extreme. Although the curriculum has been cut down in terms of time, the amount of cognition remains the same as in the full cycle of education. – After the class you had to prepare for the next day and repeat the material first thing in the morning. Even now, erstwhile we started the applicable phase, alternatively of sleeping until 7:00, I got up at 5.30 and kept repeating the basic information needed to take the first flight. You know, you gotta get involved, there is small time, and you gotta usage it as much as you can. I'll get any sleep later, but for now you gotta focus, mobilize and give yourself everything you request – provided by a Petty Officer.

According to Ernest, the top challenge for him was theoretical objects that he had no erstwhile contact with, especially meteorology. knowing force systems, atmospheric phenomena is not easy, and has a direct impact on flight safety. But, as he emphasizes, teaching support was very crucial – they found a very good lecturer, who could explain even the most complicated issues. In addition, quite a few time has been spent on learning this subject, which, as he estimated, brought good results. – In the future we will gotta decide whether we fly or not – no 1 will lead us by hand – the corporal points out that as independent pilots they will gotta take full work for their choices.

The road to Apache

By the end of April, students will be conducting training flights under the supervision of six instructors. The rotation plan assumes that on 1 day 2 officers execute an hour-long training mission. However, the first days of practice are first and foremost to know the device itself. “We are acquainted with the procedures, we are acquainted with the construction of the helicopter,” says bsmt Alex Harmata from 44 Naval Aviation Bases in Darłów, which rose into the air on the second day after starting applicable training on Robinson R44 Raven II. – You request to keep your cognition solid, due to the fact that there is simply quite a few it – Alex emphasizes that it is important, due to the fact that the list of possible risks they can face is long, e.g. the failure of an engine above 500 feet [more than 150 m] above ground, the engine fire during flight or on the ground, electronics failures, launching. The pilot must be prepared for anything. “For example, erstwhile the engine is on and there is simply a fire, we gotta cut off the fuel supply and the alleged potion. Then we introduce the chopper into authoritation and effort to land in emergency – he explains.

At the end of the national stage, the officers will leave for the UK, where NATO Flight Training Europe will train on H-135 and H-145 turbine helicopters. They will then control to Apache's mark device in the United States. erstwhile they return to the country, they will improve their skills until they scope combat readiness. All to get behind the AH-64E. The first helicopters to scope the armed forces in 2028, and the first alumni of the pilot program are expected to be ready to pilot them by the end of 2027.

In June 2026, in turn, the first 2 officers are to be assigned to survey in Britain. Colonel Weltrowski does not hide that the selection process is demanding. Candidates are constantly assessed in terms of cognition and skills and attitude to service. – In fact, we test them in the same way as any another pilot. We observe them during classes, in the battalion, we look at discipline, how they learn and how they approach duties – he explains.

Although 10 officers have been qualified for the program, not all will complete training at the same time. The top 8 will go on a abroad course this year. The another 2 will join you later. The commander of the Academic Air Training Centre LAW hopes that future instructors will besides be able to appear from the first ten. "With respect to human resources in the armed forces, the needs are tremendous today," he stressed, referring to the request to fill recently purchased equipment.