01.03.2023.
Future helicopter pilots’ flight training
The fourth-year Military Academy cadets are undergoing light multi-purpose "Gazelle" helicopter flight training at "Colonel Pilot Milenko Pavlović" Military Airfield in Batajnica and in the wider area surrounding Belgrade.
The training, delivered by instructors from the 890th Mixed Helicopter Squadron, 204th Air Brigade, is the initial segment of flight training that cadets are required to go through in preparation for the duties of SAF helicopter pilots.
In accordance with the training programme, the trainees perform test flights with the instructor, as well as independent flights, and practice taking off and landing outside the airfield, learning to fly this type of aircraft independently. Prior to the "Gazelle" helicopter flight training, they had to undergo ground training, where they learned the characteristics and structure of the helicopter, its radio-navigation equipment, piloting techniques, as well as theoretical aerodynamics and meteorology content.
The fifth (final) year cadets will undergo additional training in flying the "Gama" combat helicopter or the "Mi-17" multi-purpose transport helicopter, depending on their affinities, abilities and results achieved. This will round off the cadets’ flight training process within the military aviation study programme.
Cadets are now able to receive intensive flight training thanks to huge investment in the SAF Air Force, which started a couple of years ago. This has significantly increased the availability of aircraft needed for the training of Military Academy cadets. As soon as they are admitted to professional military service, they can focus on advanced forms of training and learn to fly state-of-the-art combat and multi-purpose helicopters that are part of the SAF’s fleet.