The Salento Flight School has qualified four new military Pilot Officers belonging to the “Ibis V” course and four Officers from the Republic of Singapore.
The event took on particular significance as, after approximately 30 years, the Salento Flying School has resumed the old and prestigious tradition of awarding military pilot brevetting to a class composed exclusively of students of other nationalities.
The ceremony, which was attended by civil and military authorities, as well as the pilots' families and all the airport personnel assembled for the occasion, was presided over by Air Force General Mario Renzo Ottone, Commander of the Air Force Schools/3rd Air Region who, as is tradition, pinned the coveted eagle onto the chests of the top-ranked cadets from both classes.
For Colonel Sergio Cavuoti, Commander of the 61st Wing, “The awarding of a military pilot's wings represents not only a fundamental milestone in a pilot's professional life and the conclusion of a demanding training cycle, but it is also recognition of the work carried out in various capacities by many individuals. It is a team effort, undertaken with passion and a spirit of service, in which everyone played their part with professionalism and dedication to achieve this prestigious goal, and which will undoubtedly strengthen the vocation already long-expressed and undoubtedly appreciated on the European and international stage in the future.”.
At the 61st Wing, in addition to the course for obtaining a military pilot's licence, advanced training courses are held for pilots destined for fighter aircraft, as well as qualification and training courses for flight instructors. For some time now, these same courses have seen the participation of pilots from other countries, also thanks to relentless and demanding work to modernise and internationalise the Wing. In this regard, the new T-346A training system, which is now nearing completion, stands out.
A second phase now begins for new pilots: those destined for aerotactic lines will continue their training for a further six months at the 61st Wing, attending the L.I.F.T. (Lead In Fighter Training) course. The other officers will instead be assigned to their designated units to be employed on conventional aircraft used in transport, support, and air search and rescue lines.
Singaporean pilots will also attend the L.I.F.T. course and will subsequently return to their homeland. Tgr Puglia of 30/08/2013 at 14:00
