MOSCOW. May 27 (Interfax-AVN) - Light-engine aircraft will be used in the Russian Air Force for initial training of pilots, Air Force Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Mikhailov told Interfax- Military News Agency Thursday.
"Under the military pilots training concept, they are to undergo training stage-by-stage, owing to which we are planning to use light-engine aircraft (most likely, the SU-49 - Interfax- AVN) with subsequent advanced training on the YAK-130 and MIG-AT aircraft," said he.
According to Mikhailov, "this approach will a allow smooth increase of intensity of training for piloting combat aircraft."
"Special attention is given to simulators, which are part and parcel of pilots' professional training. Today we are actively using the Czech L-39 aircraft to train our pilots. This cost-effective aircraft will remain in service with the Russian Air Force for at least five years more," said he.
Mikhailov added that the MIG-AT and YAK-130 are expected to come in service with the Air Force in 2005. "Currently, two YAK- 130s are undergoing flight tests. Before year-end another two YAK- 130s will have been assembled," added the general.
He also said that the YAK-130 is fully equipped with digital avionics and multiplex datalinks. It is likely to be propelled by the Ukrainian AI-222-25 engines.
"The first YAK-130 trainers will be fielded at the Lipetsk Air Force Center, and will later come in service with the Krasnodar Aviation Institute. The Ukrainian Air Force is expected to use the aircraft to train its pilots, too," said Mikhailov.