The Italian Air Force's Flight School is a an international excellence in the military pilots training.
| Italian Air Force T-260B Trainer Aircraft |
Every year, in Italy, about 8,000 young boys follow their dream of becoming a military pilot, but after hard selections, only 45 of them have access to the first phase of training which is carried out at 70th Wing of Latina, Italy.
During the studies which allows admission to the role of pilots, the 70th Wing provides to ascertain the attitude of flight and release the Airplane Pilot License on Aermacchi T-260B.
Candidates come to the 70th Wing after passing the psycho-attitudinal training at the Air Force Academy in the penultimate stage of the competition. At the flight school, located in Latina, students face the ultimate test. They must pass the flying course that will allow them to get the coveted eagle.
Only in a second phase, as students, the pilots will face the challenging training process to obtain the Military Pilot License.
The process for obtaining this license is divided into several stages: to 70th Wing is carried Phase 1 always on T-260B aircraft. This phase has the purpose of consolidating the maneuvers previously learned and achieve an adequate mastery of the aircraft in the execution of aerobatic maneuvers, formation flying and management of simulated emergencies.
During my report I had the opportunity to immerse myself in what a young aspiring pilot test during his first flying experience to the 70th Wing. I took part in a training flight mission composed of three T-260B aircraft, including my own.
The pre-operational phase more fascinating is, in my opinion, the dressing: I have always excited entering the room of flight equipment, even for a simple visit. I wear a flight suit, helmet and blue classic parachute, standard for the T-260B aircraft that does not have the ejector seat.
Reached the assigned aircraft the cockpit is very small (especially for a person of my height and not too tiny) but suited to the role that the aircraft has to perform.
While the pilot-instructor performs visual inspections of the aircraft, I start to check the points from which to take pictures: fortunately the canopy is extensive and offers good opportunities. Hoping once in flight, during maneuvers, I will be able to take pictures!
The ground crew pointed out to me several times the presence of the appropriate bag in case of vomiting, some students suffer from ketosis.
We are the first to take off, the engine is started and carried out the last checks by on-board instruments. We carry on the runway followed by the other two T-260B.
Push the engine, start the run! The Aircraft immediately shows a considerable boost for its category and after a few hundred meters detach the wheels off the ground. We are preparing for a right turn and then realign the track in such a way that I can recover from high takeoff of the couple.
Everything is perfectly synchronized as well as the reunification of a formation that all aircraft are in flight.
It’s amazing to see how the distances between the planes are always so perfect, everything is handled by eye, without the aid of instrumentation.
I continue to take bursts of photos to the pair of aircraft as we head sea, and everything seems to take place in the best way; my problem begins when we start performing some acrobatic maneuvers. Nothing as "excessive" compared to what students normally perform during the examination, but my head starts to become heavy and the stomach upside down because of turbulence.
We admire the two aircraft ahead of us running some tonneau and intersections. I wish I try such maneuvers, but I’m worried to not being able to finish my service!
I was pleasantly also affected by the performance of T-260B, a jewel of Italian manufacture which, apart the propeller engine, in no way inferior to some jet.
After about an hour of flight is the time to go back: we follow the other two aircraft while performing the approach to the runway in order to photograph the landing stages.
Now it's our turn: we are preparing for a touch and go (I always whish to do) and then the landing.
My fly experience is completed. The T-260B immerse myself in part of what happens to a young pilot, but also shows the skill of the instructors of the Italian Air Force: an absolute mastery of the aircraft that would feel anyone at ease.
I wish to thank the Press Office of the Air Force, the P.I. Lt. Paolo Pezone, the respective commanders of the 70th Wing and 207th Flight Sqn. and all flight and ground crews who assisted me during the reportage.
Written by Matteo Sanzani
