First Indian Pilots Gain Their Wings on New Hawk
24 Sep 2007 | Ref. 293
RAF Valley, UK. - The first six Indian Air Force (IAF) flying instructors have successfully completed their ‘Convex Flying Programme’ on the BAE Systems Hawk 132 aircraft.
Once the first Hawks have been delivered to the Indian Air Force later this year, these instructors will develop the new advanced fast jet training system and begin training students who will be the IAF’s next generation frontline pilots.
Under the 10-week programme the pilots carried out ground school training and UK orientation simulator sorties at RAF Valley, avionics training at BAE Systems Brough, and sea survival training, prior to undertaking flying training. The flying phase covers 15 flights per pilot (including night flying) over a 5-week period, demanding a particularly high flying rate.
Paul Comer, Indian Hawk senior instructor pilot, said “The course has been very wide ranging, covering all aspects of fast jet flying training. Despite the unseasonable UK weather, the 90 required sorties have been flown in just 5 weeks using, on average, only 2 aircraft. This rate of flying is quite an achievement for the aircraft and all of the Indian Hawk Convex team. The six IAF pilots have all adapted well to the new aircraft and have achieved a good standard in all the disciplines.”
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 96,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15 billion (US $27 billion) in 2006 *.
* On a pro rata basis, assuming BAE Systems had owned Armor Holdings Inc. for the whole of 2006
For further information contact:
Paul Earnshaw, BAE Systems
Tel: +44 (0) 1772 856992
Mob: +44 (0) 7801 715851
paul.h.earnshaw@baesystems.com
Guy Douglas, BAE Systems
Tel: + 44 (0) 1252 384841 Mob: + 44 (0) 7736 810490
guy.douglas@baesystems.com
Issued by:
BAE Systems, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384710 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947
24hr media hotline: + 44 (0) 7801 717739
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