How IAF pilots take off
The Israeli Air Force Pilots Course is an intensive three-year-long course. The course is held at the Flight Academy at the Hatzerim Air Base, in Southern Israel. The three-year course is held in five stages, four six-month long stages and a final year-long stage. At the end of the flight course, the finalists will be required to sign on for a permanent service of seven years. Here is all you need to know about the intensive process that the IAF pilot cades undergo:
01.02.18
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1. The "Preparatory" Stage
Cadets begin their training at the first stage, the preparatory stage. The main goal of the preparatory stage is to teach the cadets how to be soldiers and fighters in both the IDF and Israeli Air Force (IAF).
In this initial stage, which includes eight weeks of basic training, the cadets learn military discipline, order, and punctuality. During the basic training period, cadets undergo infantry training, participate in firing exercises, and learn how to succeed in stressful situations. During this stage, the cadets take their first flight, undergoing a month of instructional flights in Grob G-120 training aircraft, which are designed to test the cadets’ ability to fly. During the preparatory stage, the cadets are enlisted in the Aviation Studies Brigade, where they remain for the whole course. At this stage, which lasts six weeks, the cadets learn topics such as mathematics, physics, and aerodynamics.
2. The "Basic" Stage
During the second stage of the course, the basic stage, emphasis is placed on training cadets to be officers, with the understanding that first and foremost, they will be officers in the IDF.
During this stage, the cadets continue their infantry training in addition to rescue and parachuting courses, at the end of which they earn their parachutist badge. These courses are held in small teams and led by experienced air crew members.
In addition to their physical training, the cadets undergo a series of six-week academic courses focusing on aerodynamics, airplane structure, and other subjects which will be used in the flight academy.
At the end of the basic stage, there is a testing period, followed by placement of the cadets in the various flight formations. During this stage, the test flights are carried out on more advanced and complex aircraft. Test flights for combat pilot cadets are conducted on M-346 “Lavi” aircraft, helicopter pilot cadets are tested on Bell 206 “Sayfan” helicopters, and navigator cadets (CSOs) are tested on B200 King Air ‘Tsufit’ airplanes. The formation test flights are carried out on Boeing 707 or Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules. Cadets who pass the formation test flights continue on to a designated training course in the IAF's Hercules and the Boeing 707.
All of their hard work during these first two stages pays off at the end of the basic stage, at a ceremony on the top of Masada where the cadets receive their IAF pins.
3. “Preliminary” flight skills
The third stage of the course, the preliminary stage, focuses on basic plane operating skills. Unlike previous stages which mostly take place on the ground, this stage takes place mainly in the sky.
During this stage, the Aviation Studies Brigade teaches the cadets flight mechanics, computer applications, introduction to statistics, management, and algebra, all in relation to flight formations.
4. The Year of Education
At the end of the preliminary stage, the cadets officially begin their academic studies at the Flight Academy, earning credits towards their bachelor’s degree from Ben Gurion University. The cadets attend lectures from leading academics from universities all over Israel.
While academic courses are held throughout all stages of the course, this stage is devoted entirely to intensive academic studies. The academic year is divided into three semesters. Each semester ends with final exams, just like any other university.
Based on their academic scores, preferences, and other factors, cadets are assigned to one of the following academic tracks: Mathematics and Computer Science, Information Technology and Management, Economics and Management, Politics, Government and Management. The cadets also take courses on physics, aerodynamics, meteorology, weapon systems and navigation, and the history of the IDF and the IAF.
5. The “Advanced" Stage
During the final stage of the course, the advanced stage, the cadets fly IAF operational aircraft and acquire advanced combat skills. At the same time, the cadets complete their degrees. The cadets then study a variety of weapon systems, which are the last subject in the academic framework of the Aviation Studies Brigade.
At the end of the advanced stage, the cadets receive the rank of Lieutenants, get their wings, and officially become pilots of the IAF.
