Revolution as planned

The school you mentioned stopped operating in the late 1990s. So how will the fresh concept disagree from the old one?

The erstwhile chopper training strategy in my opinion was very lame and it would be possible to exchange its deficiencies for a long time. The biggest problem, however, was the deficiency of any standardisation. There was besides a deficiency of adequate number of helicopters to train future officers at the same level – i.e. Eagle School students – and air carriers. The Mi-2 and W-3 helicopters served first to train the patients, which led to the fact that the others were graduating from a two-year school with a raid of just a twelve hours! Thus, it is safe to say that they were not trained at all in terms of aviation, so erstwhile they went to linear units, they had to proceed training virtually from scratch. Problems piled up, due to the fact that in the aircraft units, pilots, alternatively of performing operational tasks, perfecting the method of piloting and combat tactics, focused on training fresh pilots. However, I am not saying that the walls of the Ensign Aviation School have left only the bad airmen, due to the fact that thanks to the immense training effort of the personnel of the operating units to this day are inactive serving very valuable soldiers, who have besides proven themselves in carrying out combat tasks on missions in Iraq or Afghanistan. All I'm saying is that the strategy was underdeveloped and simply unacceptable.

Let's leave the past behind. That's behind us, what's ahead of us?

The concept prepared in DGRSZ assumes a comprehensive approach to aviation training in the area of chopper aviation. We want future pilots to be trained in a modern aviation centre, equipped with all the tools essential to guarantee the highest quality and rhythm of training. A centre that will in no way deviate from global standards. The Center for Training in chopper Aviation, due to the fact that it is mentioned, according to the current assumptions, is to be established in Leźnica Wielka. This is simply a song of the future, hopefully soon, due to the fact that the creation of a fresh facility will require investment in equipment and infrastructure, that is, financial expenditure and time. So for now, we gotta do differently.

Otherwise, how?

The pilot training task of sub-commissioned pilots assumes that we will prepare them both in the country where, on the basis of the Military Aviation Academy, they will carry out selection training and then abroad. 2 locations are involved: the United Kingdom or the United States. In both places, sub-commissioners are trained – future AH-64E pilots, so we want to benefit from the experience and system, which just is and works smoothly. Advanced training in the UK would take place on H135 helicopters and on H145. In the U.S. on UH-72A and UH-72B, which are an American version of H145 machines. After this stage, we could practically immediately send pilots to Fort Novosel, Alabama, United States, where air training on AH-64E Apache is being conducted. Given the current possibilities and conditions, we are inclined towards the British option.

According to the agreement, the first AH-64E helicopters purchased in the USA will be sent to Poland in 2028. So this is simply a alternatively distant perspective.

Not really. The process of aviation training due to its complexity is long-term. However, the guidelines adopted will let it to be carried out in about 2 years. And this is not as long as it seems, especially since Apache are modern, very demanding helicopters. In comparison, the training of a chopper pilot at the Military Aviation Academy has lasted 5 years, and in the current strategy six months less.

Thus, if the first officers are assigned to air training outside the country in the spring of 2026, in the 3rd or 4th fourth of 2027 they will be ready to start training at Apache. So we can presume that they will be prepared to fly to AH-64E before these machines scope Poland.

Why can't we train pilots in Poland, like Mi-2?

Mi-2 is simply a very good chopper for basic training, but its time has passed. The on-board equipment and the deficiency of any pilot support systems do not let appropriate preparation of pilots to begin training on high-tech modern helicopters. It is said that a pilot trained on Mi-2 is able to fly on anything due to the fact that this device gives good ground and is very friendly to fresh adepts of aviation art, but it is definitely an analog machine. Modern cockpit helicopters in the glass-cockpit format are packed with avionic systems, data exchange and transmission, detection, observation, tracking and combating targets, and their users require primarily skillful processing and management of the information essential for effective execution of tasks in the modern battlefield. And since the SZRP is expected to enter the world's most modern impact helicopters, we request a platform that will make it as easy for pilots to train not only on AH-64E, but besides on AW149, AW101 or S-70i, which are now equipped with our aviation.

We know that the training will be abroad, we know when, but we don't know who will benefit from the program.

At first we want to exploit the possible of the people serving in our army, so the pilot program for the enlisted officers will be available for soldiers from this corps from air force units or another types of armed forces. The task will be designed for candidates up to 35 years of age who have proven to have a proven cognition of English at the second level and method education. During recruitment, which will start, I assume, in the next fewer weeks, in my opinion, people with aviation experience will have a good chance, e.g. with civilian pilot licences, or so far serving as cabin, ground, air traffic services or unmanned aircraft operators. Above all, we will look for people determined to become chopper pilots, available pilots, ready to meet fresh challenges and intensive learning, effort and change the place of service.

In addition, candidates will gotta meet wellness requirements, i.e. affirmative medical examinations at the Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, psychophysical tests and selection training at the Aviation Military Academy.

I would like to point out that not all who are qualified to start training in Poland will go to the second stage, that is, training abroad. The selection will be very demanding and only the best will get a chance to become AH-64E pilots. So there will be something to fight for, I anticipate healthy competition and full commitment.

What about civilians? Will they besides get a chance to train in the Apaches?

Yes, but not in the first phase of the project. The training of civilians by nature will take longer, due to the fact that they will gotta undergo basic training, as any willing to service in military service, then specialized language training and a base submarine course. The next steps will stay the same as those for officers already in service.

You mentioned that in Leźnica Wielki there will be a Center for chopper Aviation Training in the future. Is that where we're going to train the air force?

I confirm that we want to build a uniform and coherent training strategy for all chopper pilots, so in Leźnica air training will be carried out by both the officers and the Orląt School's sub-students. However, there will be more for those first places, as specified directions of change have been defined by the MON. Leźnica is simply a very good place due to its location, spatial capacity and not very intense air traffic – there are about 5-6 1000 operations per year. To compare, I will say that nearly 100,000 operations per year are carried out at the airport in Dęblin, almost as in Okęcie, which is definitely disrupting the process of aviation training, especially on helicopters.

Will the creation of this centre not lead to the closure of the officers' studies in Dęblin? If Apache's pilot candidate is yet trained in Leźnica for 2 years, why waste time on five-year studies?

These are 2 different issues. In the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland we request both enlisted officers and officers. The second should learn not only piloting, but besides command and management of staff, task planning, organisation of aviation training, etc. The former, in turn, are to be first of all excellent aerial craftsmen.

Besides, remember, officers change positions more than officers. Over time, they hold increasingly higher posts and cannot carry out so many operational tasks, but they do plan or organise activities. The training of sub-commissioned pilots will give us the warrant of continuing to exploit their combat possible in service for many years.

When does the show start?

From the military side, practically everything is ready. We're waiting for the green light and... we're taking off.