International Flight Training School, agreement between AM, Leonardo and the Sardinia region finalized

(To air Force)
05/08/20

The new International Flight Training School - IFTS training center, the project born from the strategic collaboration between Aeronautica Militare and Leonardo SpA for the construction of an advanced flight training center at the Decimomannu (CA) air base, is ready to move to management and operational phase.

The formalization arrived today, Monday 3 August, with the memorandum of understanding relating to the implementation phase of the IFTS program signed in Villa Devoto between Christian Solinas, president of the Sardinia Region, and the air squad general Luca Goretti, deputy chief of staff of the 'Air Force.

A finalization of the agreement that follows the meeting of last 28 July that, at the Experimental and Standardized Aerospace Department (RSSTA) of Decimomannu (CA), had seen the participation of the same gen. Goretti and Eng. Lucio Valerio Cioffi, head of the aircraft division of Leonardo SpA

The new training platform will be operational from the first half of 2022 and will constitute the international reference in the training of military pilots, starting from phase IV (Advanced / Lead-In to Fighter Training). "The project will contribute significantly to an effective process of promoting the country system - underlined the gen. Goretti on the sidelines of the meeting at Villa Devoto - consolidating and developing the primacy of the Air Force in the training of military pilots, with positive repercussions for the national industry and without detriment to the institutional tasks of the Armed Force ".

Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini commented on the decision to establish the new International Flight School as "An important project, which confirms the importance of the Region for Defense and the role of the Air Force as an Italian excellence. Decimomannu's choice for the Ministry was natural because the base is an already operational and efficient structure. School will represent an important growth factor for the economy of the Sardinia Region and for the local industries with a strong focus on environmental protection ".

The IFTS project, which arises from the need to satisfy the growing demand of the Italian Air Force and partner countries for the training of their pilots, will make it possible to double the current training offer through the creation of the new training center based on Decimomannu.

The partnership between the Italian Air Force, which has a long and consolidated experience in flight training, and Leonardo SpA, leader in integrated training, will allow the former to optimize the cost / effectiveness of flight training and, to the latter , to strengthen its international position as a "Training Service Provider".