The mission is part of the training flight activity planned for pilots destined for the air traffic control lines.
The mission profile included a mid-altitude transit to the air refuelling area (AAR), where all approaches, re-entry and air refuelling procedures were demonstrated, before completing the training mission in the form of the “Offensive Air Combat Maneuver” (OACM) flight.
This activity was made possible thanks to the commitment of the 212th Flight Group to make training more closely aligned with the requirements of the operational groups, also thanks to the support of the on-board refueling units and the coordination of the Air Operations Command (COA) of Poggio Renatico. Thanks to this collective and shared effort, it was possible to resume, after a period of suspension lasting about six years, the training of the pre-operational participants in a particularly formative and demanding flight profile. The mission carried out with a mixed profile, which involves both on-board refueling and the tactical phase, closely replicates a classic operational profile and therefore offers a high training return.
The L.I.F.T. pre-operative course, taught by instructor pilots from the 212th Flight Group on FT-339C aircraft, lasts approximately six months, during which participants assigned to the air tactical lines (AMX, Tornado and Eurofighter) learn the basic elements of operational activity on fighter aircraft, performing typical profiles of ground attack and air-to-air combat missions in flight. In addition to the missions in flight, some of which are conducted at the Decimomannu (Ca) training areas, the pilots follow an intensive program of theoretical training and various courses on the ground, including a basic course in “intelligence”.
The primary mission of the 61st Wing is to provide flight training on aerobatics aircraft for student pilots in order to obtain the Military Pilot Certificate.
In addition, advanced training courses for military pilots and navigators intended for operational use on fighter aircraft are also held at the flight school, as well as qualification and certification courses for all flight instructors on the Armed Forces’ aerobatic aircraft.
