MOSCOW. June 19 (Interfax-AVN) - Russian Air Force academies are undersupplied with aircraft, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov, told Interfax-Military News Agency Thursday.
"Most unfortunately, academies are the last on the list for supplies of new weapons," he said.
"Many academies use obsolete literature; obsolete computers do not support latest training software. The training facilities of the academies have to be put in compliance with state educational standards," he also said.
Mikhailov added that the realization of professional educational programs required that the military aspect be emphasized in state educational standards of higher-military- education professions.
"The problem could be solved by creating an Air Force Methodical Educational Association at a leading academy, which would deal with higher-military-education professions," Mikhailov said.
According to the commander-in-chief, the academies of the Air Force have 53 professions and 30 specialties.
The Air Force Command has determined the following strategy of pilot training: primary compulsory training course of three years (including 2.5 years of theoretical training and six months of piloting practice on the L-39 Albatross trainer aircraft), then individual special training in special departments and centers, according to skills revealed.
The piloting training cycle includes 52 weeks, after which a trainee is considered capable of fulfilling solo missions in friendly weather environment.
Air Force engineers and MRO specialists are trained within higher- and medium-level programs. There are four colleges training officers for medium-level-education professions.
"The current training architecture of MRO specialists decreases the term of training for primary positions, reduces its cost, and gives officers incentive for higher educational level and promotion," Mikhailov emphasized.