Danny Reijnen explains the pilot training process and the updates

introduced with the commissioning of the Alenia-Aermacchi Leonardo M-346B trainer

Since the early sixties the Air Force Training School is concentrated at Kalamata Air Force Base. With the acquisition of the Rathyeon T-6A Texan II a first step to modernize the training program has been undertaken in de the early 2000’s when the aircraft were introduced in 2001. Untill recently the advanced fighter training was fulfilled operating the North American T-2C Buckeye acquired in 1976 from the United States Navy (USN). The past few years the Polemikí Aeroporía (PA) or Hellenic Air Force has implemented significant modernizations within their operational structure and with the acquisition of new  state-of-the-art aircraft integrated in their operational squadrons, the capabilities of the Air Force have enhanced significantly. With the modernization of the Lockheed Martin F-16 fleet to block 72 F-16V and the recent acquisition of the Dassault Rafale the aging training fleet, was required to be modernized as well to cope with the enhanced capabilities of the new assets and bridge the gap in training limitations.

The Hellenic Air Force scheduled to retire their remaining fleet of T-2C and T-2E Buckeye fleet from service at the end of December of 2023. After extending the operational lifetime of the T-2C and T-2E Buckeye, the Hellenic Air Force was limited in the availability of the few remaining aircraft. Due to a fatal accident involving a T-2E during a training mission on 27 November 2023, in which the squadron commander of 363 Mira Expedefsesos Aero (MEA) or Air Training Squadron suffered fatal injuries, the decommissioning of the “Buckeye” was accelerated and was completed by the end of 2023. As a result of a reduced number of successor aircraft the 363 MEA is kept operational.

Currently, the 120th Air Training Wing comprises three Mira Ekpedefis Aeros (MEA) or Air Training Squadrons, 361 ATS “Mistras,” and 364 ATS “Pelops” are equipped with the T-6A propeller driven aircraft, whereas 362 ATS “Nestor” operates the M-346B. The first two new M-346 aircraft arrived on 11 May 2023 and the official introduction ceremony was held on 16 May 2023. As a result of the reduced number of aircraft only 362 MEA will remain in operation with the M346B.

Delivering Training

Lt Col Asimakopoulos Konstantinos, the Squadron commander of the 361 ATS explains the training Syllabus and the differences in roles between the various training squadrons integrated in the 120 ATW;

“The students start their flying phase, phase one at the Hellenic Flight Academy in Tatoi using the P2002JF Tecnam and continue at Kalamata flying the Texan T-6 at phase two. Now that we have the M346, students go from the T-6 to the M-346. With the M-346 they will go through phase three and phase four.”

The necessity of transferring from a propeller driven aircraft to a jet driven aircraft is vital for out training program, commander Konstantinos explains:

 “Although it is possible to go from the T-6A directly to the fighter jets in the operational squadrons, it is not what the Hellenic Air Force wants and does. Our Syllabus and program is not calculated on it either. The reason we train students on previously the T2 and now the M346 is that we can give them the principles of flying in a fighter jet. The basis is solid and with this they can transition to their future fighter aircraft without much difficulty.”

Commander Konstantinos emphazises;

“About 16 instructors are active at 361 air trainings squadron nowadays. They train 25 till 30 students. With every fase taking around 9 till 10 months we train 2 classes per year. The students needs as many flying hours as possible, something we provide”

With other countries wanting to use part of the Greek Air Force training syllabus, more foreign students are coming to Greece,  commander Konstantinos explains :

“We also have foreign students flying here on the T-6. We use a nation to nation agreement with the Italian Air Force. Italian students fly the Phase two on the T-6 here at Kalamata and Greek students make turns during their phase three period on the M339 and M346 at the Italian Air Force.

There are already countries that are adopting the same training program of the Greek Air Force. Cyprus, Montenegro, Tunisia have already provided students coming from the Air Force Academy in the past. They only run the 2nd phase , are accomodated at 364 ATS and thus only fly on the T6 “

The 364 Air Training Squadron is the sole squadron where officers from NATO countries serve. As part of the Hellenic-Italian Air Exchange Training Agreement established in 2008, the squadron employs four Italian flight instructors and trains six to ten Italian trainees annually. The training is conducted in English, featuring a common curriculum delivered by mixed crews from both countries.

International Training Center

On May 17, 2023, in collaboration with ELBIT Systems, the Hellenic Air Force inaugurated a state-of-the-art flight school aimed at delivering elite training for prospective pilots of the Hellenic Air Force’s Rafale and F-35 fighter jets. As part of this modernization initiative, the 120th Air Training Wing phased out the T-2C and T-2E Buckeyes from the 362nd “Nestor” and 363rd “Danaos” squadrons, introducing ten advanced Leonardo M-346 jet trainers.

Drawing inspiration from the Israel Defense Force Air Force (IDF-AF) established contractor support model, ELBIT Systems will oversee the maintenance of the entire training fleet, consisting of numerous training aircraft, for an anticipated duration of twenty years and  includes upgrades for the T-6A. The comprehensive training package includes advanced networked flight simulators, Ground-Based Training Stations (GBTS), and a command and control system for efficient training management.

The goal of the project is to model the flight school at Kalamata after the Israeli Air Forces flight academy, which is heavily supported by Elbit and uses the T-6 and the M-346, while also allowing other countries to send their pilots to be trained in Greece. The contract amounts to € 1.375 billion over 22 years, with the ability to provide more than 3,500 flight hours annually with the M-346 and an unspecified number with the T-6.

Changes are set

 The Hellenic Airforce is changing the method how pilots are trained. The new method increases the focus on quality rather than quantity. The enhanced capabilities of the more modern fourth and fifth generation recently acquired, demand a different kind of training strategy. This means the training emphasis is shifting more and more towards gathering, processing, and prioritizing information. The M346 is excellent platform to accommodate this new method and performs well, both in the air as well as the simulator scenario’s which provide the instructor with a variety of options to customize the training program based on the specific skills of each individual student. During a simulator mission the instructor can introduce a number of unexpected events to the student, like malfunctions of the aircraft or equipment of the aircraft which the student has to resolve or find a way to cope with. Also several air-air and air to ground scenarios can be presented during specific simulator missions and the instructor is able to witness how the student copes with each specific situation.

The commander of 362 Air Training Squadron, Luitenant-Colonel, Anaststatios FALDAMIS explains :

“Our training methods won’t change much in terms of actual flying; we’ll still do maneuvers like ACM (Air Combat Maneuvering) and BFM (Basic Fighter Maneuvers), as well as low-level work. But the real change is in how we handle the advanced avionics of these modern fighters from the beginning of training, which saves costs because we don’t have to train on the actual jets.”

The total number of flight hours won’t change compared to previous training methods, but the quality and effectiveness of training will be higher. Two fully operational flight simulators and five more simulators that mimic the real thing to some extent are available at Kalamata. These simulators are equipped with hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) controls. The Training wing is considering connecting these simulators directly to the aircraft, although we’re still exploring this possibility.

FALDAMIS emphazising :

“Our training follows a set syllabus, but students can use the simulators as much as they want for their own practice, and they do so extensively. This is evident in the pilots’ performance on their first real flights. Phases 3 and 4 of training are done using the M346. Initially, our first course started with Phase 3, and currently, we have 20 students in that phase. These students are all Greek, but we hope to have international students in the future. Our instructors come from Italy, Sheppard, and directly from fighter squadrons. Currently, we have about 18 instructors, but this number will increase.”

NATO has hinted at the possibility of establishing a new international pilot school at Kalamata. While Commander FALDAMIS cannot confirm whether this is the case, the current organization could certainly step up to the plate.

“Presently 362 MEA operates five aircraft, but planning to expand the current fleet to ten. Depending on flight hour requirements, additional aircraft might be necessary” Commander  FALDAMIS comments.

With the withdrawal from use of the last remaining T-2 Buckeyes the Buckeye instructor pilots had to transition to the M-346. The conversion from the Buckeye instructors to the M346 wasn’t overly challenging since most Buckeye instructors are fighter pilots. The M346 is notably forgiving, although adapting to the HOTAS system presented some initial difficulty. Nonetheless, its user-friendly nature facilitated a smooth transition.

Commander FALDAMIS explains the road to become an instructor pilot at the M-346.

“Becoming an instructor pilot isn’t strictly time-based; it depends on the pilot’s experience, although typically, we aim for a six-month timeframe. Given that we transitioned to the M346 aircraft ten months ago, this timeframe may require adjustment, which time will reveal.”

To date, five M-346s have been delivered, marking the initial phase of a ten-aircraft delivery plan under the Government-to-Government agreement between the Hellenic and Israeli defense ministries. These aircraft feature Elbit Systems’ integrated virtual avionics, replicating combat and flight scenarios to elevate pilot training to unparalleled heights. The M-346, crafted by Leonardo, is a twin-engine tandem aircraft equipped with fully digital controls and avionics. Its fly-by-wire control system interfaces seamlessly with Head-Up Displays (HUD), mirroring the controls found in next-generation fighter aircraft and enhancing pilot training effectiveness.

One of the hallmark achievements of this partnership has been the modernization of the 120 ATW’s training infrastructure. With Elbit Systems’ state-of-the-art flight simulators and advanced training solutions, trainees at Kalamata Air Base now have access to unparalleled learning resources. These innovative tools not only enhance the quality of training but also provide a safer and more cost-effective alternative to traditional methods.

The M-346 block 5+

The M-346 – a twin-engine, tandem-seat aircraft with fully digital flight controls and avionics – is equipped with a fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruple redundancy, a modern human-machine interface with Head-Up Displays (HUD) and Multi-Function Displays (MFD), Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controls and in-flight safety features such as the Pilot Activated Attitude Recovery System (PARS). The M-346 can operate in complete autonomy with the aid of its Auxiliary Power Unit (APU).

The wide flight envelope, high thrust-to-weight ratio and ‘carefree’ maneuverability at high angles of attack make the M-346’s handling similar to that of next-generation combat aircraft, like the Eurofighter Typhoon or the F-35 which maximizes training effectiveness and reduces flight hours on front line aircraft.

The future

As the 120 Air Training Wing at Kalamata continues to soar to new heights with its expanded fleet and cutting-edge jets, the future of pilot training looks brighter than ever. With their unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation, coupled with state-of-the-art aircraft like the M346, the sky is truly the limit. As they prepare the next generation of aviators for the challenges of tomorrow, one thing is certain: the legacy of proficiency and proficiency forged within these skies will endure, echoing the resounding success of the 120 Air Training Wing for years to come.