Aircraft For Aviator Training

A trainer is a class of aircraft designed specifically to facilitate in-flight training of pilots and aircrews. The use of a dedicated trainer aircraft with additional safety features—such as tandem flight controls, forgiving flight characteristics and a simplified cockpit arrangement—allows pilots-in-training to safely advance their real-time piloting, navigation and/or warfighting skills without the danger of overextending their abilities alone in a fully featured aircraft.

Stage I - Air Grading or Screening

Typically, contemporary military pilots learn initial flying skills in a light aircraft not too dissimilar from civilian training aircraft. In this phase pilot candidates are screened for mental and physical attributes. Aircraft used for this purpose include the Grob G-120A and PAC CT/4.

Stage II - Basic Trainers/Primary Trainers

These are usually turboprop trainers and can replicate the handling characteristics of jet aircraft as well as having sufficient performance to assess a candidate's technical ability at an aircraft controls, reaction speed and ability to anticipate events. Aircraft used for this purpose include the Pilatus PC-21 and KAI KT-1.

Stage III - Advanced Jet Trainers (AJT) was designed for training fighter pilots

AJT is normally a total training system, including simulators, classroom trainers and the aircraft. Airframe builder will have to work with the engine supplier and probably teamed up with local defense company to compete for the project. The ground-based training system to support the an Italian manufacture would be provided by US-based training systems, which is a third partner on the of the consortium. Trainees are destined to fly the latest 4th and 5th generation fighters

There are two main areas for instruction, flight training and operational training. In flight training a candidate seeks to develop their flying skills. In operational training the candidate learns to use his or her flying skills through simulated combat, attack and fighter techniques.