Gulf Daily News,
MANAMA: Royal Bahrain Air Force's (RBAF) Air Training Wing programme is on schedule and should be fully operational in early 2007, it was revealed yesterday. The programme started in January 2002 and deliveries have been made for pilot aptitude testing equipment and the supply of three Slingsby Firefly T67M260 aircraft for elementary and basic training, three Instructor Pilots, one Field Service Representative and a support package.
The programme took a major step forward on August 26 with the inaugural flight from Warton in Lancashire, UK, of the first of six Hawk Mk129s destined for Bahrain.
Production of the remaining five aircraft continues to exceed expectations, according to a BAE Systems statement yesterday.
Currently in progress is the provision of synthetics, full dome simulator plus avionics part task trainer, to provide the bridge between Firefly and advanced jet training.
Also in progress is the delivery of six Hawk Mk129 aircraft for advanced training, plus a comprehensive two-year support package including field service representatives and technical support.
BAE Systems is manufacturing the Hawks as part of a package of equipment and training to enable the RBAF to take in raw recruits and train them as fast jet pilots before progressing onto front line fighters.
Some of the recruits will stream on to a separate helicopter-training programme.
BAE Systems Bahrain general manager Mark Simpkins said they are working closely with the Bahrain Defence Force (BDF) to develop a two-aircraft solution to training front line aircrew.
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