Korean air force starts domestic training

The South Korean air force has set up its flight training system with domestic aircraft to train its pilots, it announced on 17 May.

The pilot training courses have three levels: introductory, basic, and advanced. The air force is using the KAI KT-100 four-seat, low-wing, single-engine light aircraft for the introductory flight course, replacing the Russian T-103 single-engine, low-winged training aircraft.

The basic and advanced courses will use the KAI KT-1 Woongbi turboprop aircraft and the KAI T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced trainer aircraft. Pilots who successfully complete the Combat Readiness Training (CRT) or Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) can operate on the front line.

The KT-100 is an improved KC-100 Naraon aircraft. The air force is set to introduce 20 KT-100s in stages by December 2016.

The aircraft will be fully operational in the introductory flight course in 2017. The air force also plans to integrate the KT-100 into the force through civil-government-military cooperation involving KAI and the ministries of defence and land, infrastructure and transport.

Meanwhile, the air force will also integrate two FA-50 fighter squadrons into force in the first half and second half of 2016. This comes after the first FA-50 was integrated into the force.

General Jung Kyung-doo, Chief of Staff, Republic of Korea Air Force, said: 'We can cultivate elite warriors by training pilots - our main military strength in maintaining national security - with our own aircraft through the force integration of KT-100, an introductory trainer. It is also meaningful to Korea as we are able to showcase our aircraft development technology to the world, while promoting national interests as well.'