MOSCOW, October 4 (AVN) - Only 32 percent of all the graduates of the Russian military aviation colleges since 1995 are prepared for combat operation, a source in the Air Force combat training department told the Military News Agency.
Some 30 percent of the young fliers did not fly since 1995, he added. Till 1992 it took eight to nine years to become first class flier, till 1993 - 1994 - up to 11 years. Now it takes up to 15 - 16 years. The main reason for that is lack of flying time. This is explained by shortage of fuel in the Air Force, low degree of technical readiness of planes and other circumstances. As a result, the personnel loses perspectives and interest to continue the service. 42 percent of young fliers resigned from the Lipetsk centre on training and re-teaching flight personnel before terms of their contracts expired for the past five years.