The 61st Wing of Galatina is looking towards a prestigious international future. The introduction of the new T-346A integrated training system and the creation of the advanced modern simulation system will be decisive elements in ensuring absolute quality and a unique training offering on the international scene. The Galatina Base, already recognised as an absolute niche of excellence for flight training, will therefore be enhanced by this new training system and will progress further, confirming its vocation towards internationalisation.
Pending the introduction of the new trainer, all flight operations are carried out using Aermacchi T339A and FT339C aircraft. The former is used by the 213th Flight Group for obtaining the military pilot's licence, and by the 214th G.I.P. for the flight instructor course, while the latter, equipped with cutting-edge avionics featuring liquid-crystal displays and the capability to perform in-flight refuelling, is used for advanced training by the 212th Flight Group. From 1946 to the present day, over one million flight hours have been flown at the Flight School and more than 7,500 students have been trained, of whom approximately 250 are foreign nationals. Furthermore, the 212th Flight Group is also utilised in the role of slow mover interceptor whenever there is a strengthening of Air Defence measures, especially in conjunction with so-called “Major Events”. The task, in this case, is to defend national interests against possible attacks carried out by light and low-speed aircraft. For this role, a portion of the instructors belonging to the 61st Wing carry out specific training to acquire and maintain the necessary operational capabilities.
There are currently 3 flight simulators in Galatina, of which 2 are T-339As and 1 is an FT-339C.
All the simulators are perfectly representative of their respective aircraft and allow training in many of the types of flight that are subsequently replicated in the practical phase on the aircraft. In addition to instrument flight missions and visual flight missions, made possible by the projection system that reproduces the external environment (“Visual” capability), the flight simulators also allow training in the management of all emergency situations. This particular feature makes flight simulators indispensable and valuable systems for the training of student pilots and for maintaining the professional qualifications of instructors at the 61st Wing and from other countries which, like Peru, decide to utilise these capabilities made available by Italy at the 61st Wing.
Among the various highlights, the CD aircraft simulator also allows training to be carried out for more complex missions such as air-to-ground firing ranges, air-to-air interception missions, and missions with NVG (Night Vision Goggles).
