http://www.airforcesmonthly.com #364 JULY 2018 // 95
Airforces
Intelligence‘In association with ....’In the third year of study at the
FPZ, candidates return to Zemunik
for practical basic training,
completed over 56 hours of flight
time on the Z 242L (basic and
aerobatic flying, flight navigation
and formation flying). After this,
the candidates are separated
to continue training in the fixed-
wing or helicopter stream.
Further training comprises
around 180 hours on PC-9Ms in
six modules (basic, aerobatics,
navigation, instruments, formation
flying, night flying and basic
tactical) or 200 hours on Bell 206B-
3 helicopters with a further two
modules (additional instruments
and night-vision goggles). A
Frasca PC-9M flight simulator
at Zemunik is also available for
instrument training. Finally, cadets
receive a military rank and pilotrating after completing a total
of around 240 flying hours.
The pilot school includes a special
programme for future instructor
pilots (IPs) which requires around
80 additional flying hours.
In recent years, the number of
candidates applying to become
a military pilot has reduced.
However, there are hopes that the
recent introduction of the OH-58D
and, in future, the F-16, will
increase interest in joining the HRZ.
Zemunik’s pilot training syllabus is
also recognised abroad. Its greatest
international success to date is
training four generations of pilots
for the Royal Air Force of Oman; the
most recent class of eight Omani
pilots graduated last December. So
far, a total of 38 Omani pilots have
graduated on PC-9Ms at Zemunik.
One helicopter pilot fromAbove: The Krila Oluje display team
is an ambassador for the Croatian
Air Force abroad and conducts its
training over some of Europe’s most
spectacular scenery. The aerobatic
programme incorporates six PC-9M
turboprop trainers. Darko Belančić