Aviation training (Bundeswehr)
The aeronautical training to become a pilot or a weapons system officer in the Bundeswehr comprises several stations from the selection process to the military courses up to the actual theoretical and practical training.
Selection process
Phase I.
In order to become a pilot or weapon system officer in the Bundeswehr , applicants must first prove their suitability as an officer. This takes place at the assessment center for executives of the Bundeswehr (ACFüKrBw) in Cologne. In addition to the general examinations, the prospective pilots must show their skills in a pilot test in order to be admitted to the following selection phases. A first selection of the best among the applicants is already taking place in Cologne. Applicants who are not suitable for aviation service, but who have the same qualifications for an officer career as the remaining applicants, can continue to participate in the selection process.
Phase II
In this so-called phase II, the usability of the military pilot , the psychological and the medical suitability are determined. In addition to the multiple workload on the computer, the applicant is comprehensively checked by medicine ( MRI , neurology , anthropometry , ENT , ophthalmology , orthopedics and orthodontics , cardiology , internal medicine and ergometry ). From a medical point of view, this is where the preselection of the later possible aircraft type takes place.
Phase III
In phase III, the pilot psychological aptitude assessment, technical understanding is tested. The applicant only has to decide on the desired aircraft type after passing phase II. Jet planes, transport planes and helicopters are available. Applicants who have chosen the helicopter have to go to phase III in Bückeburg . Applicants for all transport aircraft have to compete again in Fürstenfeldbruck. Since significantly more aspects of the applicant are checked in phase III than in phases I and II, this phase lasts five days. In addition to testing the learning ability of theoretical learning material, the implementation of the theory in the simulator is also tested. Both theory and practice are almost equally important for passing.
Anyone who does not pass phase III cannot be considered as an officer for the aviation service, but for all other uses for which no other exclusion exists.
Officer school
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If the applicant was not already a soldier, the military career begins as an officer candidate with training as an officer at the officers' school of the respective armed forces. The army helicopter pilots start at the Army Officers School (OSH) in Dresden. Transport pilots who are used by both the Air Force and the Navy, and helicopter pilots scheduled for these two branches of the armed forces, start at the Air Force Officers School (OSLw) in Fürstenfeldbruck or at the Mürwik Naval School (MSM). Jet pilots are now only available from the Air Force.
At the officers' schools, soldiers are taught the basic skills of the officer's profession. This includes what is known as “green training”, e.g. B. Field training and shooting, as well as instruction in leadership and all theoretical areas such as tactics, air or sea warfare, methodology and didactics. A special focus is placed on internal leadership and military law . After passing the officer training course and after a minimum period of 12 months, the prospective pilot is promoted to flag junior .
In the case of studies in addition to aviation service, this takes place after the officers' course and before the aviation training and takes three to four years, depending on the degree.
Pre-flight training
For the air force and naval pilots as well as for the weapons system officers, the first phase of flight training takes place in the 9th inspection of the OSLw in Fürstenfeldbruck. There they take part in an English course lasting several weeks, with the focus on learning specialist aviation vocabulary. Then come the so-called Academics , an intensive course in navigation , aerodynamics and meteorology, among other things . From here they are also sent to Bremerhaven for the “Survival at Sea” course and to the negative pressure chamber in Königsbrück.
After completing this theoretical training, the pilots will be sent to the 3rd German Air Force Training Squadron in Goodyear in order to gain initial flight experience. At the same time, the psychological assessments of phase III are checked here. For aspiring jet pilots, the training leads to the first solo flight.
The helicopter pilots complete their training at the International Helicopter Training Center in Bückeburg.
Aviation training
Jet planes
The future jet pilots will continue with the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas and weapons system officers for the 2nd German Air Force Training Squadron at the Naval Air Station Pensacola in Pensacola, Florida .
Transport aircraft
The aeronautical training for prospective transport pilots takes place in Bremen at the Lufthansa Commercial Aviation School . The 4th Squadron of Lufttransportgeschwader 62 (LTG 62) is located here. Theoretical lessons take place with civilian instructors from Lufthansa, only in the aeronautical training some flights are flown with military flight instructors.
The training is divided into four parts. First, about five months of theoretical training with basic flying principles for small aircraft and visual flight rules. This is followed by about five months of flying training again in Goodyear at the Airline Training Center Arizona on Grob G 120A and Beech Bonanza . This is followed by another four months of theory in Bremen, this time specialized in instrument flight, followed by instrument flight training in the simulators of the flight school and from Bremen Airport.
The training ends with the award of the military aircraft driver's license (MFS) and the corresponding job badge .
helicopter
Aviation training for prospective helicopter drivers from all branches of the armed forces takes place at the International Helicopter Training Center in Bückeburg. The practical course is divided into 3 phases. First, the trainee pilot learns the basic and emergency procedures with the training helicopter EC-135 . This is followed by training for flights according to visual flight rules (VFR - Visual Flight Rules) and according to instrument flight rules (IFR - Instrument Flight Rules). During the training, the course participant also learns how to auto-rotate (emergency landing without engine power) with the Bell 206 helicopter , which was leased by the German Armed Forces as the successor to the BO-105 for training purposes , and is currently receiving a two-week briefing in mountain flying. Theoretical lessons are given at the same time as practical training. After successful completion, the course ends with the award of the military aircraft license / helicopter supplement (MFS / H) and the bronze occupation badge.
Type rating
Jet planes
Future Tornado crews have been coming together at the Tactical Air Force Wing 51 Immelmann for weapon system training since autumn 2017 . Prospective Eurofighter pilots acquire the type rating on their future combat aircraft after participating in the ENJJPT at the Tactical Air Force Wing 73 "Steinhoff" in Laage or at the Tactical Air Force Wing 71 "Richthofen" in Wittmund.
Transport aircraft
Most transport pilots have a type rating on an Airbus A400M at LTG 62 in Wunstorf. There are currently considerable waiting times due to the delayed delivery to the Air Force; training on Transall has meanwhile been completely discontinued. The navy pilots are transferred to the Naval Aviation Squadron 3 "Graf Zeppelin" in Nordholz and begin their training on the P-3 Orion or the Do 228 . Some of them go to the BMVg flight readiness in Cologne and are trained on the samples used there.
helicopter
The type rating for helicopters takes place at the International Helicopter Training Center in Bückeburg on NH90 and Eurocopter Tiger as well as at the helicopter squadron 64 in Holzdorf on CH-53G .
literature
- Ralph Eckhardt: Occupation Bundeswehr pilot - ISBN 978-3613033344 .
Web links
- Bundeswehr brochure for an officer in the aviation service. July 2010 (PDF; 733 kB)
- The German Air Force Command USA / Canada ; accessed on October 8, 2011
- Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training viewed on October 10, 2011
- Summary of aeronautical training in the Air Force
Individual evidence
- ↑ Bundeswehr brochure for an officer in the aviation service. July 2010, p. 13.
- ↑ Bundeswehr brochure for an officer in the aviation service. July 2010, p. 14 and 16.