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Q. I heard that a simulator has been delivered. How are you utilizing it?
The presence or absence of an actual simulator makes a huge difference in pilot training. When pilots get to fly a simulator that performs identically to the actual aircraft before a flight, their air competency improves by more than twofold. If they needed three or more actual flights to master a procedure without a simulator, now they can achieve the same effect with just one real flight. In particular, since they can experience all emergency procedures, all pilots ride it frequently, and we go along to conduct the training.
Q. What is the most challenging part of the training?
Most Polish pilots have conducted missions with previous generation aircraft (Mig-29, Su-22) and have been accustomed to those aircraft for a long time. Because of this, habits from the older aircraft sometimes appear. For example, in previous generation aircraft, the control surfaces are operated by cables and hydraulics, so they manipulate the stick by chopping at it slightly, rather than moving it smoothly. If you fly the FA-50 like that, the aircraft actually stops in accordance with the chopping motion, making the handling somewhat rough. Also, the FA-50 operates with an auto-rudder system, but many unconsciously use the rudder. We have been consistently training them from the initial flight stages, and recently, they have been adapting well.
Q. What is the reaction of the Polish pilots to the FA-50?
At first, KAI was not well-known in Europe, so they didn't have high expectations for the FA-50. However, after actually flying it, many responded that it was much better than they had thought. As I mentioned earlier, since the FA-50 is controlled by Fly-by-Wire and the cockpit is a Glass cockpit, it provides a good environment for the pilot to control the aircraft, and the biggest advantage is that it's easy to adapt to. They also say that the aircraft is very stable and has excellent maneuverability.
Q. What changes do you think occurred after the FA-50 was delivered to the Polish Air Force?
The aircraft currently operated by the Polish Air Force have either been retired or are nearing retirement. Therefore, many pilots need to transition platforms. The upgrade of the F-16s and the purchase of the F-35s mean that more pilots are needed. We believe that the FA-50GF will play an excellent role in transitioning existing pilots to 4th generation aircraft or higher, or in training new fighter pilots. We trust that the FA-50PL, upon its future delivery, will exhibit capabilities comparable to other 4th generation aircraft.
Q. What changes will occur once the FA-50PL is introduced later?
I should preface this by saying this is my personal opinion. The Polish Mińsk base where we are located is NATO's easternmost base and is responsible for NATO's right flank. The base's primary mission is to defend NATO's eastern airspace. When the FA-50PL arrives, with the addition of new external features and armament such as air-to-air refueling capability and the Sniper Pod, it will likely be used in various roles, including eastern border missions, as a force to respond if enemy forces enter Polish territory, and for close air support missions in coordination with ground forces.
