AirForces Monthly – June 2018

brTA providing additional IPs and MiG-29s.
However, unlike the previous year, the 3rd
class training was now combined with basic
training and was included as part of their pre-
graduation programme. It began during the
summer and ended in late September, on time
for them to prepare for their final exams at
KhNUPS. At the graduation, on
December 2, 17 young pilots

received the pilot 3rd class qualification.

A quantum leap

At the end of the training, each of the young

pilots had accumulated a minimum of 200

flight hours in total, including no fewer than

50-60 hours on the L-39 and

MiG-29 in the last year alone. This

was an excellent result, especially

taking into account that this is the current

annual average within the PS. Qualifying for

3rd class in the same year they graduated,

they even managed to beat the Soviet-

era average – one year after graduating.

The quantum leap in the process of training

young pilots is clearly visible when compared

with the extremely difficult period between

2000 and the end of 2009 – when a young

pilot might reach the rank of captain without

getting anywhere near the cockpit of a combat

aircraft, let alone qualifying for the 3rd class.

Having already learned the basics during

training for their 3rd class qualification, all

young pilots are now cleared to move on to

more advanced training. They can begin

honing their skills in some of the more complex

assignments, including night flying and air-

to-ground sorties combined with high-speed

low-level flight. The latter in particular is

a prerequisite for survival over the rebel-

held Donbas area, packed with state-of-

the-art Russian-built air defence systems.

http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #363 JUNE 2018 // 93

AFM

Above: A pair of ‘local’ MiG-29UB two-seat trainers, ‘10 White’ and ‘30 White’ from 114 brTA, takes off on a training fl ight. The fl edgling aviators in their front

cockpits will practise formation fl ying (in this case as a pair) under the watchful eye of their instructors in the rear cockpits. Below: Parked on the military

apron of Ivano-Frankivs’k airport, L-39C ‘122 White’ of 114 brTA sits at the end of a line-up of aircraft awaiting the start of the day’s training fl ights.