DefenceTalkA new course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, will pair up Air Cavalry leaders with the operators of unmanned aerial systems. The Aviation Reconnaissance Course, scheduled to launch this spring, was discussed at the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” conference on aviation today in Arlington, Virginia. The course was mentioned during a panel discussion […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-helicopter-pilots-train-with-uas-operators-62470/

DefenceTalkEarlier this week, IAF flight school cadets flew on the new instructional plane, the Aermacchi M-346, for the first time. Its predecessor, the Skyhawk, was used by the IAF for four decades Excitement was in the air in Hatzerim Airbase this week, when pilot cadets flew on the new instructional plane, the M-346, or the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/first-israeli-cadets-fly-on-aermacchi-m-346-62067/

DefenceTalkFacing a shortage of drone pilots, the US Air Force said Thursday it will increase pay for those who operate the robotic planes and draw on airmen from the reserves to fill the gap. The growing demand for drones has stretched the American military’s resources and placed a major strain on the aircraft’s pilots, who […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-moves-to-stem-shortage-of-drone-pilots-61986/

DefenceTalkThe initial group of F-16 fighter jets purchased by Iraq will be delivered to Tucson, Arizona, for Iraqi pilot training due to the security situation in Balad in Iraq, Defense Department spokesman Army Col. Steven Warren said here today. Speaking to Pentagon reporters, the colonel discussed plans to send the aircraft to Arizona rather than […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iraqi-pilots-to-train-on-iraqi-purchased-f-16s-in-arizona-60995/

DefenceTalkFrance: With the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF’s) new advanced jet trainer Alenia Aermacchi M-346, fighter pilot trainees can now train in more realistic air combat environments, handle sophisticated systems early in their training, and be better equipped for fighter operations. The RSAF marked a milestone in its transformation of flying training as it […]https://www.defencetalk.com/singapore-air-force-enhances-fighter-flying-training-with-inauguration-of-m-346-60523/

DefenceTalkRussian Helicopters will this month host pilots from Mongolyn Alt Corporation (MAK) at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant’s Aviation Training Center, under an agreement on training of flight and engineering personnel. The Mongolian company operates two Mi-8/17 series helicopters – a Mi-171 and a Mi-8AMT – both produced at the Ulan-Ude plant and delivered to the customer […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russian-helicopters-to-train-mongolian-pilots-60231/

DefenceTalkTiny brain lesions are vastly more common in US Air Force pilots who fly at high altitudes than in non-pilots, according to a study released Monday. The findings in the journal Neurology describe an analysis of 102 pilots who fly U-2 reconnaissance aircraft at an altitude of some 21,000 meters (70,000 feet). These pilots, age […]https://www.defencetalk.com/study-finds-brain-lesions-in-spy-plane-pilots-48818/

DefenceTalkUnmanned aerial vehicle pilots maintain an “eye-in-the-sky” view providing real-time surveillance high above the battlefield in order to keep Soldiers safe from unexpected “enemy” attacks, at the U.S. Army National Training Center, here. Before putting Soldiers in harm’s way, military unmanned aerial vehicles, known as UAVs, perform aerial reconnaissance, be it night or day. At […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uav-pilots-maintain-situational-awareness-above-battlefield-47919/

DefenceTalkThe company now has a mobile telemetry support vehicle which is capable of supporting flight tests at remote locations, says Mike Kgobe, the Chief Executive Officer of Denel Aviation. In the past this highly-specialized test flying could only be conducted within South Africa. Mr Kgobe says this service is part of Denel Aviation’s initiative to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/denel-test-pilots-spreading-their-wings-into-africa-46641/