Training with the Aeronautica Militare Italiana

Author: Ian French
Photographers: Ian French & Brian Rodgers

Aviation Press last visited the training bases of the Aeronautica Militare Italiana in 2016. Since then there have been some changes. Flight students continue to start their training at Guidonia with 60 Stormo where they are introduced to the theoretical and practical aspects of flying and undertake their first flights in the gliders of 422 Squadriglia Volo a Vela. 423 Squadriglia provides the tugs for these gliders with the SIAI Marchetti S208M. Approximately 80 students graduate each year.

After this initial training the graduates enter a three phase programme.

Phase 1 is a screening phase and is undertaken by 207 Gruppo 70 Stormo at Latina on the SIAI-Marchetti SF260EA.

Pilots then progress to Phase 2 Primary Pilot Training at Lecce with 214 Gruppo on the Aermacchi MB339A (these will be replaced by the Alena M-345A). This phase lasts approximately 7.5 months after which pilots are allocated to one of the following tracks for Phase 3:
– Fighters with the 213 Gruppo MB339CD
– Helicopters with 208 Gruppo 72 Stormo at Frosinone
– Transports at various bases

Phase 3 at Lecce lasts approximately 10 months after which pilots progress to Phase 4 with 212 Gruppo on the Alenia M-346A.

At Frosinone the helicopter pilots are divided into two streams: Air Force and all other services. Some of these other services provide their own helicopters for this phase.

Phase 4 takes place at Decimomannu, Sardinia where the new International Flight Training School (IFTS) is located and lasts approximately 9 months. After this, pilots will progress to conversion on one of the Tornado (102 Gruppo), F-35 (13 Gruppo) or F-2000 (20 Gruppo). There is continuous interraction between the Operational Conversion Units and the IFTS during this phase.

MM55223 T-346A 61-22 212Gr 100 Anno 2023 Pratica3

Aviation Press would like to thank 13, 60, 61 & 72 Stormo for hosting our visits and Aeronautica Militare Italiana HQ Roma and Forest Aviation/Paolo Di Baggio/Jacqui Rodgers for assisting with and organising the visits.

MM54488 MB339A coded 61-321 of 213 Gruppo at Lecce

MM55075 MB339CD coded 61-143 of 212 Gruppo undergoing maintenance at Lecce Lecce

MM55222 T-346A coded 61-21 of 212 Gruppo at Pratica

MM80900 AB206C-1 coded EI632 of 208 Gruppo at Frosinone

MM54465 MB339A coded 61-116 of 213 Gruppo at Lecce

CSX55223 T-346A coded 61-22 of RSV at Pratica di Mare

MM55116 SF260EA coded 70-23 of 207 Gruppo at Latina

MM7361 F-35A coded 32-11 of 13 Gruppo at Amendola

MM55007 Tornado IDS(T) coded 6-56 of 102 Gruppo

VF139 AW139 of 208 Gruppo at Frosinone

MM54458 MB339A coded 61-121 of 213 Gruppo at Lecce

MM55076 MB339CD coded 61-144 of 212 Gruppo at Pratica di Mare

MM55100 SF260EA coded 70-03 of 207 Gruppo at Pratica di Mare

MM55062 MB339CD coded 61-126 of 212 Gruppo undergoing maintenance at Lecce

MM55064 MB339CD coded 61-130 of 212 Gruppo at Lecce

MM55073 MB339CD coded 61-141 of 212 Gruppo at Lecce

MM55154 T-346A coded 61-01 of 212 Gruppo at Lecce

MM55218 T-346A coded 61-14 of 212 Gruppo at Lecce

MM55222 T-346A coded 61-21 of 212 Gruppo undergoing maintenance at Lecce

MM61984 S208M coded 60-35 of 423SC at Guidonia

MM62003 S208M coded 60-41 of 423SC at Guidonia

MM81278 NH-500E coded 72-15 of 208 Gruppo at Frosinone

MM100054 Grob 103A coded 60-07 of 422SC at Guidonia

VF27 AB206B-3 of 208 Gruppo at Frosinone

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