The first of August, at 60th Wing of Guidonia, the familiarisation flight course on glider aimed at students of the “Zenit” course of Florence Air Force Military School “Giulio Douhet”.
The three-week programme offered the students of the Air Force Military High School the opportunity to experience flying aboard G103 Twin Astir gliders, supplied to 202nd Flying Group of the 60th Wing.
The course was divided into two phases. The first was theoretical, where attendees acquired fundamental knowledge of aerodynamics, radio phraseology, and the operation of the flight instruments onboard. Subsequently, in the second phase, each student was able to try their hand at piloting the glider in all phases of flight, always under the supervision of an instructor from the 60th Wing.
This activity represents the first stage of the project “Young Eagles, an integral part of the School's Education Offer Plan, which aims to stimulate and consolidate a passion for flight through aeronautical training experiences. The project continues into the second year with familiarisation flights on U208A motor aircraft and concludes in the third year with motivational flights at various Air Force Wings.
The Military Aviation School “Giulio Douhet”, founded in 2006, is a higher secondary education institution offering classical and scientific streams, access to which is gained through public competition. Its mission is to ensure comprehensive and balanced education, fostering the cultural, moral, physical, and character development of students, in order to prepare them to face the challenges of the future with awareness and competence, regardless of the professional path they choose.
It 60° Wing, all direct dependencies of the Air Force Command School, is tasked with glider flight training for students of the Douhet School, attendees of the Air Force Academy, Reserve Officer Cadets, and pilots belonging to other Armed Forces and State Armed Corps.
Gliding activity, which includes mountain flying and maintaining qualifications, is now an integral part of the training pathway for obtaining a military pilot's license. Furthermore, the Wing is actively involved in promoting aeronautical culture by organising Aeronautical Culture Courses, aimed at upper secondary school students in their final three years and held annually in various Italian cities.
