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F-16 Aircraft: Ukrainian Air Force Releases Video Of Its Fighter Pilot Training On Fighting Falcons

The Ukrainian Air Force has released a video featuring Ukrainian pilots training on an aircraft flight simulator to familiarize and enhance their abilities in operating the US-made F-16 fighter jet. 

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The Air Force Command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces posted the video on their official social media accounts on September 27. 

The description below the YouTube video uploaded by the Air Force reads, “Of course, our goal is to have complete F-16 flight simulators, trainer aircraft, and flight crew training centers in Ukraine. But everything starts small. While our brothers master the F-16s abroad, the Ukrainian Air Force fighter pilots continue to protect the Ukrainian sky and destroy the occupiers on the ground.” 

“In their free time, the pilots get to know the cockpit of the F-16 in virtual reality and perform joint missions over the territory of Ukraine in sections, flights, and squadrons while being in different regions of Ukraine,” it added. 

In the video, a pilot is shown using an airplane simulator while employing virtual reality goggles, an engine control knob, pedals, and a monitor to become acquainted with the functioning of a United States-made fighter aircraft. 

Utilizing air simulators, pilots can now undergo training for both solo and group flights, with the added flexibility of conducting this training from various locations across Ukraine. 

The video featured a Ukrainian pilot who highlighted the difference between their Soviet-era fighter jets, equipped with many switches, and the F-16 cockpit, boasting a blend of digital and analog instruments.

Additionally, the pilot emphasized that the F-16s would significantly extend the range of available weapons.

The Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yuriy Ihnat has revealed that flight simulators are already in place within nearly all tactical aviation brigades. This technological infrastructure will significantly expedite the process of pilots becoming proficient in Western fighter aircraft.

Additionally, Ihnat pointed out that the software includes accurate maps of Ukraine, encompassing regions currently under occupation.

Training Of Ukrainian Pilots

Initially, the US hesitated to fulfill Ukraine’s requests for advanced Western aircraft. However, Ukrainian pilots are set to commence F-16 flight training this fall, facilitated by the Arizona Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing. 

So far, three nations—namely, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway—have officially affirmed their commitment to supply Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets following pilot and engineer training completion.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that while Ukraine has agreements to procure 50 to 60 F-16s, the country requires approximately 160 of these aircraft to safeguard its airspace effectively.

Meanwhile, multiple countries, including Canada, have pledged to train Ukrainian pilots in operating F-16 fighter jets. The duration of flight training, as disclosed by Air Force Lt. Gen. Michael Loh on September 16, may span from three to nine months, contingent upon the pilots’ prior experience with fighter aircraft.

In a similar line, Ukraine’s former defense minister, Oleksii Reznikov, previously indicated that it would be approximately six to seven months before F-16s are dispatched to Ukraine, considering the time required for training the nation’s pilots and essential support personnel, which implies that these aircraft will not be involved in Ukraine’s ongoing counteroffensive at the moment.

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