What Ukrainian pilots need to learn before flying F16s

The New York Times writes about how the training of Ukrainian pilots might unfold.

The outlet writes that training Ukrainian pilots is a necessary first step for the country to start receiving the aircraft.

On Tuesday, Poland said that it is ready to train Ukrainian pilots. The state will also join a coalition formed by the UK and the Netherlands to provide Ukraine with F-16 jets. Poland also may have a better comparative experience: Its armed forces have transitioned to F-16s from Soviet-era planes, so this may be easier for Poles to communicate with Ukrainians. 

Will it take long to train Ukrainian pilots?

The U.S. Air Force has concluded that at least some Ukrainian pilots can be trained to fly the F-16 in four to five months.

The assessment was based on a 12-day evaluation of two Ukrainian officers who took flight training in the United States in winter. According to the report, both pilots still need some technical skills, including understanding the cockpit instruments of Western aircraft and flying comfortably in a US-standard formation with other aircraft.

The New York Times notes that one projection, which included time for specialized English classes, had about four pilots per class, and 12 to 14 pilots would graduate in 12 months. 

However, the assessment results do not indicate whether the pilots will be "combat ready."

“If the pilots had been recently and regularly flying over Ukraine, they would most likely need four to six months of training, General Breedlove said. On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine said he would put forward some of his most experienced pilots “in order to shorten the training process,” the outlet writes. 

What do Ukrainian pilots need to master?

Gen. Breedlove flew the F-16 for about 60 percent of his military career. He said there are two main differences between the fighter and Soviet-era aircraft.

“The biggest change they’re going to encounter is the cockpit,” he said. Most older Soviet jets require pilots “to reach and turn and change and flip switches — and all of these things that take your concentration away from fighting the other airplane, or precisely dropping the bomb.”

The cockpit is configured differently because electrical pulses, which are part of the F-16's more sophisticated technology, allow for easier control of the aircraft's systems.

Another difference is the "hands-on throttle and stick" or "HOTAS" technology, a system that includes a so-called intercept switch that allows F-16 pilots to switch from bombing ground targets to air combat without taking their hands off the controls. 

On an F-16, “you never have to take your eyes off of the fight,” General Breedlove said. “It is something that is much more intuitive and far, far, far easier to navigate under stress.”

When and where will they be trained?

Last week, the UK and Dutch leaders announced the creation of an international coalition to provide Ukraine with F-16 fighter jets and training in their operation. The training would take place this summer, British PM Rishi Sunak said at the time. On Monday, Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra predicted that it would begin "very quickly."

It is still unclear where else the pilots will be trained, beyond Poland. Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have all expressed their willingness to help, either by training Ukrainian pilots or by providing their F-16 fighters to Kyiv.

American pilots are likely to take part in training Ukrainian pilots. According to Gen. Breedlove, the US has F-16s at two air bases in Europe - Spangdahlem in Germany and Aviano in Italy.

He said that "some of the most experienced F-16 pilots in the world are now serving in NATO air forces" as the US Air Force is largely transitioning to the more advanced F-35 fighter jets.

General Breedlove noted that the West should not underestimate how quickly Ukrainian pilots can learn the F-16, given how they have performed on other weapons systems.

"They have beaten our expectations every single time," he said.

• On Tuesday, May 23, Zaluzhnyi discusses F-16 aircraft and ammunition provision to Ukraine with US Supreme Allied Commander Europe

• Earlier that day, Patrick Ryder announced that F-16 fighter jets transfer to Ukraine to be discussed at the next Ramstein 

• On May 21, US President Joe Biden approved Ukrainian training on F-16s. Volodymyr Zelenskyy assures that Ukraine will not use these aircraft to strike at Russian territory.

• Ukraine hopes to receive the first modern American F-16 fighters in the fall of 2023.

• The Pentagon said that the transfer of F-16s to Ukraine could take several months.