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• #Fighter pilot requirements how to#

Under typical winter conditions in Cold Lake, it could take several months to carry out the same training. The more consistent weather patterns in California allowed the RCAF to maximize the quantity and quality of Hawk training in a relatively short period of time. They conducted up to 20 missions per day, including night missions, with most taking place in the restricted airspace and the military operations area of Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro.Ĭarrying out some training in southern locations makes that training more efficient. The deployment included pilots, Regular Force and Reserve Force instructors, contracted engineers from CAE Inc., and support personnel, along with seven Hawks. “The southern deployments give 419 Squadron the ability to escape the snow and ice in northern Alberta, and train where the skies are clear,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Colin Marks, commanding officer of 419 Squadron. In late 2017, 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron deployed with their CT-155 Hawk jets to El Centro, California to conduct warm weather training during Exercise Antler South. But this stage is not the end fighter training never really stops and pilots gain more qualifications at their first operational fighter squadron.įully qualified CF-188 pilots keep learning throughout their entire career. International pilots return to their respective countries to continue their fighter pilot training on various aircraft types. This operational training unit is also at 4 Wing. Fundamentally, they learn to operate tactically, manoeuver to engage the enemy, fly in hostile airspace and fight as a coordinated pair against a single threat.Īfter a lot of hard work and dedication, the fighter pilots are ready to graduate from NFTC and Canadians can finally join their first CF-188 Hornet squadron: 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron. They are now ready to learn air-to-ground missions and air-to-air missions such as basic fighter manoeuvres, air combat tactics, conventional weapon delivery, close air support and more.

#Fighter pilot requirements how to#

There, students continue to operate the Hawk, but now learn how to fight with the jet by conducting tactical flying training. The training, which takes place at 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta, is also known as the Fighter Lead-In Training (FLIT) course. Once the basics are covered, student pilots go on to the second half of phase four, fighter training, which is the final phase of the NFTC. With its simulated weapons system, the jet can perform a wide range of high performance training missions.

The CT-155 Hawk is similar to frontline fighter aircraft this advanced jet trainer is equipped with a Rolls-Royce turbofan engine that generates more than 6,000 pounds of thrust and enables the jet to fly at near supersonic speed. Once phases two and three are completed, fighter pilots move on to phase four, where they begin training on the CT-155 Hawk, also at 15 Wing, to learn the basics of flying a jet powered aircraft. In addition to the RCAF, the program provides training for pilots from many partner and allied nations, currently including the United Kingdom, Hungary, Singapore, France and Germany. This military flight training program is run in cooperation with CAE Inc. Pilots join NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC) program during phases two and three. After phase three, all pilots are awarded their flying badges (pilot “wings”). The third phase for fighter pilot students, who learn to fly more advanced manoeuvres on the Harvard, also takes place at Moose Jaw (while phase three for helicopter and multi-engine pilots takes place at Portage La Prairie). After they successfully complete phase one, students go to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2CFFTS) at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, for the second phase of training, this time on the CT-156 Harvard II turboprop. Student pilots go through Primary Flying Training, the first phase of training, on the Grob 120-A (a side-by-side twin-seat, piston engine trainer) at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (3CFFTS) in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. RCAF fighter pilots go through many different phases of flight training in the air and on the ground the training happens across Canada and the United States so they can learn to fly and fight in the CF-188 Hornet. The answer: a whole lot of dedication and hard work!

Have you ever wondered what pilots go through to become fighter pilots in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)? Click on the photo under “Image Gallery” to see more photos.