The Pakistan Air Force is interested in the training sector of the Italian Air Force It is A turning point in the days of 13 and 14 February was the visit to Italy of a delegation from Pakistan, led by Air Marshal Shahid Akhtar, Deputy Chief of Air Staff – Training of the South Asian country. The visit, which focused on the training sector of the Air Force, was aimed at identifying possible forms of cooperation in the field of flight training. On Wednesday the 13th, high-ranking Pakistani officers visited the 61st Wing in Galatina (LE). Upon arrival at the Salento base, the guests were welcomed by Air Chief Marshal Umberto Baldi, Commander of the Air Force Schools / 3rd Air Region, and by the Commander of the 61st Wing, Colonel Pilot Alberto Surace. Subsequently, the delegation visited the facilities dedicated to the final part (Phase IV) of the training process for pilots destined for “fighter lines”, which takes place on the T-346A aircraft. Inside the Ground Based Training System building, particular attention was paid to the simulators in use, whose Live, Virtual and Constructive (LVC) capabilities not only generate extremely complex operational environments virtually, but even allow connection to the network of real aircraft. In fact, on the 360° spherical screen of the most advanced simulator, the Full Mission Simulator, the guests were able to observe a real mission with the head of the delegation on board who, flying “back-seat” on the T346, therefore had the opportunity to test “live” the avionics and aerodynamic performance of the aircraft. The day continued at Pratica di Mare airport, where the guests visited the Multi Crew Training Centre (CAE MC), whose “core business” It is aimed at achieving the Military Pilot Licence (Phase III) for pilots destined for the transport component of the Air Force and other Armed Forces and State Armed Corps. At the CAE MC, the delegation attended a briefing on the department's main activities, during which the evolution of training programmes and systems used by the Air Force for flight training of future military pilots destined for transport lines was illustrated.
Nel deIn Istrana, the 61st Wing carries out Phase II (common to all pilot trainees and aimed at identifying the aircraft types they will fly: fighters, remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs), helicopters, transport), Phase III (achievement of the military pilot's licence) and Phase IV (Lead-In to Fighter Training), both for pilots destined for high-performance fighter aircraft (Tactical Air Power Line). The Salento school also qualifies Flight Instructors on jets (Pilot Instructor Training - PIT).
