With the arrival of the new class of pilots at the Air Transport Training School In Pratica di Mare, training begins on the new Piaggio P-180 EVO+ aircraft. This marks a significant step forward in Training of future “multicrew” pilots”, placing emphasis on innovation and the updating of the Armed Forces' training capabilities.
The start of the volatile phase of this new intake of trainee pilots at S.A.T.A. marks the start of the transition to a cutting-edge platform for advanced training of military pilots destined for the lines of Combat Support (Multicrew) with fixed wings. The Piaggio P-180 EVO+, identified by the military designation VC-180C, replaces the previous “Avanti I” (VC-180A) version, which for 15 years supported the training of over 120 pilots with a total of over 12,000 flight hours completed.
This transition represents a significant technological leap, in perfect alignment with the Italian Air Force's initiatives aimed at modernising and upgrading all training tools and capabilities. The latest-generation avionics and the implementation of advanced technologies will, in fact, allow new pilots to immerse themselves in an operational and procedural context much closer to what they will encounter in future Operational Squadrons. This innovative approach will contribute to designing a more efficient and effective training profile, fully meeting the operational needs of the Armed Force.
It Piaggio P-180 EVO+ It is a short-to-medium range twin-engine turboprop, known for its high performance and low fuel consumption. In its various configurations, the P-180 is used by the Air Force not only for pilot training, but also for the calibration and checking of radio aids and for personnel transport.
The Air Transport Training School, under the dependency of Air Force Schools Command / 3rd Air Region based in Bari, it is the hub for advanced training for Air Force pilots destined for the lines Combat Support (Multicrew) with a fixed wing. The School also plays a crucial role in training pilots from other Armed Forces and State Armed Corps, both Italian and foreign, following the most modern tenets of the concept Multicrew and international standards.
