13.02.2025.

Training for young pilots in Training Squadron

Officers who were admitted to professional military service after completing the Reserve Aviation Officer Course and Military Academy cadets attending the Military Aviation study programme are undergoing flight training at the Colonel-Pilot Milenko Pavlović military airport in Batajnica.

The training is being conducted on the UTVA 75 trainer aircraft and the G-4 Super Galeb jet trainer and attack aircraft, under the supervision of flight instructors from the 252nd Training Squadron, which is part of the 204th Air Brigade.

Lieutenant Vuk Mićunović, a flight instructor at the 252nd Training Squadron, says that this unit fosters the tradition of Serbia’s first aviation squadron and stresses that military pilots must be brave, bold and persistent.

— From the very beginning, we build the sense of togetherness that is characteristic of all military pilots and greatly facilitates the candidate selection process. The flight instructor, among other things, evaluates a candidate’s team spirit based on his or her records and grades. I advise those interested to apply because they will have the opportunity to fly state-of-the-art aircraft — says Lieutenant Mićunović, emphasizing that protecting our sky is the greatest honour.

Second Lieutenant Branko Milojević has recently joined the ranks of new pilots of the Serbian Armed Forces, after completing the Faculty of Security and Criminal Investigation and the Reserve Aviation Officer Course. He encourages young people who are passionate about and like challenges to join him.

— To be able to carry out all tasks professionally, a pilot of the Serbian Armed Forces should be perseverant, persistent, self-disciplined and good at controlling emotions. Team spirit is mandatory for us to be able to carry out our tasks – says 2nd Lieutenant Milojević.

After graduating from the Faculty of Sports and Physical Education in Novi Sad, Second Lieutenant Milan Šarić applied for and successfully completed the Reserve Aviation Officer Course.

— I have loved and been interested in aviation since childhood. We plan the beginning of our working day depending on the time our flight is scheduled. It is usually at 7 o’clock and after that, we go to the pit where we have a warm-up with our flight instructor and then we go ahead with our final preparations where we get detailed information about the weather conditions and the situation on the airfield. When this is done, we proceed to the plane, where we perform pre-flight checks and prepare for the flight. Depending on the flight plan, whether we do one or two shifts, we go ahead with our flight, after which we come back to the squadron to analyze our flight with our instructor — explains 2nd Lieutenant Šarić.

Young men and women who would like to become pilots of the Serbian Armed Forces can do so by applying for the Reserve Aviation Officer Course until March 31. Eligible candidates are those who hold a bachelor’s degree obtained from a civilian faculty and are up to 27 years old this year. After a six-month training, the best candidates will be given the opportunity to join professional military service straight ahead, continue training as aviation officers and earn the title of airplane pilot, helicopter pilot or pilot-operator of remotely piloted aircraft.