Thursday 29 May 2025, the final day of training for flight demonstrations for the 2025 season of the Flight Experimental Department's aircraft took place at the “Mario de Bernardi” military airport in Pratica di Mare.
A day dedicated to the technical capabilities of aircraft and the skills of pilots and crew, presided over by the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (SMA), Air Squadron General Antonio Conserva, the Deputy Chief of Staff of SMA, Air Squadron General Aurelio Colagrande, and the Logistics Commander, Air Division General Giovanni Balestri. The Mayor of the City of Pomezia, Veronica Felici, was also present at the ceremony.
The civilian and military authorities, welcomed by Gen. D.A. Luciano Ippoliti, Commander of the Aeronautical and Space Experimental Air Division (DASAS), and by Colonel Morgan Lovisa, Commander of the Flight Experimental Department (RSV), proceeded to the flight line of the 311th Flight Group (GV) to witness the technical flight demonstrations of the aircraft.
The protagonists of the day were therefore the presenting crews who, coordinated from the ground by the Commander of the 311th GV, Lt. Col. Stefano G., carried out high-technical-content evolutions with the T-346A, Eurofighter Typhoon, and C-27J Spartan aircraft. The technical flight demonstrations are one of the institutional activities of the Flight Experimental Department, which involve the execution of a series of highly representative technical-operational manoeuvres performed within the speed and altitude limits established by regulations, with the aim of demonstrating the capabilities of the aircraft in service with the Armed Force.
At the end of the three aircraft's technical flight demonstrations, pilots and crew were welcomed by authorities and the deployed personnel of the 311th GV. The Commander of the RSV, Colonel Lovisa, took the floor, and after thanking the authorities present, he focused attention on the hard work carried out throughout the training phase: “In what is undoubtedly a non-linear context, marked by unpredictability and contingencies, I would like to commend all the staff for having operated with seriousness and competence, managing complexity and priorities with the pragmatism, flexibility, concrete approach and determination required by the delicate task assigned, without making any concessions and always guaranteeing the highest qualitative and professional standards required. This day of celebration is dedicated to all of you. Well done.
I would like to extend my congratulations to the aircrews on reaching this further professional milestone. A prestigious milestone that brings with it the privilege and honour of representing, both at home and abroad, the capabilities of the equipment, the professionalism and the training of the Air Force personnel, and with them, the excellences of the country. A task of responsibility that I am convinced you will be able to express to the best of your abilities with your usual seriousness and professionalism, and with the methodical and meticulous approach that I have come to know and which has distinguished you in all phases of training.
The solemn moment of the handover then followed. Patch of Display Team Commander, of Display Pilot and of Display Crew, on behalf of the highest military authorities present.
The Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Force General Conserva, taking the floor, warmly congratulated the newly decorated crews, and in general all the personnel of the 311th GV of the Flight Experimental Department: “The naturalness with which we have seen aircraft from national industry flying today in the skilled hands of our crews might lead us to think that all of this is extremely easy. As a pilot, I know that it is neither easy nor natural. As a former Logistics Commander, I know that the effort behind being able to organise a day like this and to be able to tackle the summer season of air shows is truly the fruit of everyone's work.
Every year there are refinements, small variations to the display programme which, always with absolute safety, lead to new discoveries. We get to know the aircraft we fly more and more deeply, and if we do this in the context of an airshow display, the same applies when we address subjects concerning the capability development of the Armed Forces, when we test new aircraft, new software, new armaments, and when we engage with national and international industrial realities.
The results we achieve are thanks to each and every one of you, to your ability to carry out your work with professionalism and enthusiasm. Technology is useless if there isn't someone who is passionate, capable of managing it, and capable of making the most of it. I truly and sincerely compliment you, Display Team, I am proud of the maintenance department, I am proud of this Unit, I am proud of the entire Air Force.
The day concluded with the signing of the RSV Book of Honour by the Head of SMA who, with esteem and immense gratitude, expressed his congratulations to all the personnel of the Department.
The Experimental Flight Department is one of the departments of D.A.S.A.S. whose primary task is to support the Operational Departments of the Air Force through the experimentation, development, integration and validation of new weapon systems or those undergoing modification. In response, then, to the changing geopolitical, social and economic context, the RSV has given significant impetus to activities supporting the Operational Departments, essentially through the tool of operational technical certification, which allows for the rapid and autonomous implementation of technological solutions capable of meeting new needs in hostile theatres.
The Experimental Flying Department is currently structured into five groups:
– 311th Flying Group;
– Technical Group;
– Software Management Group
– Aerospace Engineering Group;
– Armament and Countermeasures Group.
The 311th Flying Group performs all those functions necessary for the Wing's institutional task, namely the experimentation and implementation of new aeronautical systems and newly acquired aircraft. The Flying Experimental Wing serves the Armed Force's Operational Wings, implementing new technologies on its aircraft and, above all, developing new ones to make the Armed Force's operational activity ever more efficient and safe.
The 311th GV, first among equals, This includes pilots, navigators, and test mechanics, drawn from the Italian Air Force's aerotactical units, as well as all non-flying personnel who carry out key functions for flying activities, such as aircraft maintenance, flight matériel, and the tasks of managing and supervising daily flight activity.
A fundamental part for the Group, as well as for the Armed Force, is the practical collaboration with National Industry for the research and development process of aeronautical products. This activity allows the Armed Force to always be up-to-date on the latest available technologies and, for National Industry, to be able to draw upon knowledge and expertise not available in the civilian sector.
The 311th Flight Group is a fully integrated part of the Flight Experimental Department, alongside all the other highly engineered components; the 311th FG serves as the technical interface between the country's military and industrial sectors, ensuring the adequate technological level that allows the military to be effective and up-to-date.
The 311th GV serves the Armed Forces' operational capability, bringing together traditions, research, method, and curiosity for technological development.
