German pilots to get training in Italy

Two German Air Force pilots are commencing their flight training Phase IV on the T-346A aircraft in Italy, the aerospace, defense, and security company Leonardo announced Wednesday.

The pilots will join Qatari pilots who have already reached the final stage of their “Advanced/Lead-In to Fighter Training” at the Italian training school. 

The company stated that the International Flight Training School (IFTS) continues to host new students.

It explained that two pilots from the German Air Force have recently begun their advanced flight training phase at the Italian Air Force’s 61st Wing Airbase in Lecce Galatina, southern Italy. 

“The training provided to the German pilots follows activities undertaken by the Qatar Emiri Air Force’s pilots, which commenced at IFTS in June this year,” the company said.

“The Qatar Emiri Air Force pilots have completed the synthetic training modules both on the Partial Task Trainer (PTT) and the Full Mission Simulator (FMS) – two of the ultra-technological simulator devices integrated into the training system based on the T-346A aircraft,” it said. “The pilots have now begun the in-flight instructional training.”

Leonardo noted that the agreement between the Italian and German Air Forces for advanced flight training services foresees the possibility to extend the collaboration to Phase III in the future, which brings the cadet to the military pilot qualification.

The IFTS is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo, aimed at the establishment of an advanced flight training center, an international benchmark for military pilots’ training, particularly in the Advanced/Lead-In to Fighter Training phase.

“The Qatari Air Force’s and now German Air Force’s decision to send their pilots to train in Italy at the IFTS provides clear evidence of the recognition of the Italian training system and testifies the potential of this ambitious international project,” the company said, adding:

“A new wider IFTS campus is under construction at Decimomannu Air Force Base in Sardinia, a flight academy capable of hosting students and technical staff, in addition to accommodation, recreational areas, a cafeteria, sports facilities.

Its infrastructure will assure the operations of the 22 M-346 (designated T-346A by the Italian Air Force) aircraft fleet. An entire building will be home to the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), with classrooms and the installation of a modern training system, which is based on the latest generation of simulation devices.”

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