T345, the new training aircraft arriving in Galatina

(To air Force)
15/05/20

The process of development and modernization of the 61 ° flock, the Italian Air Force flight school, based on the Galatina military airport.

After the T-346, which has completely revolutionized the characteristics of advanced flight training since 2014, it will soon be the turn of theM-345 HET (High Efficiency Trailer), another totally Italian production aircraft intended for gradually replace the T339 fleet (in versions A and CD), aircraft that entered the line in 1982 and are currently used by the 61st flock in phases 2 and 3 of the training course of the military pilot.

The trainer, who in military terminology will take the name of T-345 (Trainer), will allow to obtain a improvement of training quality a lower costs (hence the name High Efficiency Trainer). In addition, the pilot students will use the same technology already developed for the T-346, allowing a more dynamic and efficient transition to phase 4 for visitors who must be employed on the "fighter" lines.

Today the air base of Salento, which for some years ago as a showcase for the promotion of the T-346 - the integrated system used in phase IV of the training process, represents a excellent example of synergy among very high systems domestic production technology and the Air Force's over seventy-year experience in the field of flight training: a valid and concrete example of world-class Italian excellence, therefore, and a flagship for the entire country system.

Thanks to the innovative scope of the technologies used and the reduction of operating costs related to its use, the online entry of the T-345 will allow the Galatina flight school to consolidate its leadership position also in the basic training segment.

Finally, it should be noted that the 345 will also replace the 339 PAN, keeping that Galatina-Frecce Tricolori combination which sees our students flying on the same aircraft used by the National Acrobatic Patrol.

The 61st flock, dependent on the Schools Command AM / 3rd Air Region of Bari, has the task of providing flight training on jet aircraft:

- phase 2 - Primary Pilot Training, common to all military pilot students, aimed at identifying the lines on which they will fly (fighter, RPA remote piloting, helicopters, transport), which is currently carried out on the T339A aircraft;

- phase 3 - Specialized Pilot Training, aimed exclusively at student pilots selected for the "Fighter" and "RPA" lines, ends with the achievement of the Military Pilot's License (turreted eagle) - The FT339C is used for this phase;

- phase 4 - Lead In to Fighter Training - LIFT, preparatory to subsequent use on Fighters aircraft, which is carried out on the T346A.

Currently the 61st flock, also home to the IFTS (International Flight Training School), hosts flight crews from eight foreign countries including the United States, Spain and France.