Tatoi Tecnam’s in

Greek pilot-training and modernisation

In January 2021, the Greek Ministry of Defence awarded Israel-based Elbit Systems a contract to install and operate a new pilot training programme at Kalamata Air Base. This deal, which includes replacement of the old T-2 Buckeyes by M-346 aircraft and upgrading of the current T-6 Texan II’s, will finalise the overall modernisation of the Hellenic pilot training programme. This process had earlier started after delivery of new Tecnam P2002s at Tatoi-Dekelia air base, close to Athens, where screening of new cadets and primary flying training takes place.

Entry of the newly manufactured Tecnams with the Hellenic Air Training Command as a lead-in trainer began with an order for 12 aircraft in 2018. This decision did not come as a surprise considering the Hellenic Air Force was looking to replace its Cessna T-41 Mescaleros. The T-41D force was declining with an increasing number of airframes which had technically run out of flight hours, after an impressive 50-year service in Greece. With the choice for Tecnam P2002JFs, the Hellenic Air Force became the second military user after Argentina, which has operated 8 aircraft since 2016.

P2002s integrating

By the end of 2018 the first Tecnam delivery from Capua, Italy took place, destination being Tatoi Air Force Base and No. 360 Squadron. Delivery flights were done by Tecnam crew and included one refueling stop at Italian Air Force Base Lecce, before crossing the south Adriatic sea towards Greece. With an ongoing delivery rate of some 2 aircraft per month, all Tecnams had been delivered by mid-2019. Upon arrival at Tatoi, the Tecnams were inspected for final acceptance by a HAF technician and pilot, and after approval, the aircraft officially accepted and consequently received HAF roundels and military registrations.

In parallel was an ongoing training course for the instructor pilots to qualify

them for the P2002JF. Major Manolis Papadakis, instructor pilot of No. 360 Squadron, said that two senior pilots of the squadron initially received their training at the Tecnam factory and then imparted further training of their 18 colleagues at Tatoi-Dekelia. The first phase consisted of a two-week theoretical course, added with some flights in the simulator to practice several flight elements. The second phase was the flying part with about 6 sorties from the left seat including navigation and instrumental flights, ending in an intermediate evaluation. Additionally another 6 sorties were conducted from the instructor’s right seat following the same programme but then focusing on how to instruct. A final 13th sortie was conducted as an exam to evaluate the requested flyingand instructors abilities. The 13 sorties totalled about 15 flying hours.

Cadet programme

The normal programme course of new cadets starts in October and is completed by mid-July. The flying part of the course for cadets is of 30 sorties, amounting up to 36 flight hours. Major Papadakis explained that “we begin to train the cadets for solo flights. This will take approximately 12 sorties after which the cadet is capable to fly the aircraft themselves and will do 2-3 solo flights. After the solo flights and the green light from the instructor, we continued with a variety of instrumental flights, navigation, more advanced flight manoeuvres and agility training. Further we see to continuation of progress in the cadet’s performance in basic flight manoeuvres”, the programme showing if the cadets are capable of moving to the next step flying the T-6A.

Equipment and changes

The P2002FJs are equipped with dual (connected) control stick, a single instrumented cockpit and a single throttle. The cockpit also more provides the pilots with an improved view. The installed Garmin cockpit system, integrated with radio and Instrumental Landing System (ILS), can map the terrain with graphics, showing airways, approaches and air force bases. For the cadets nothing will change now as “we maintain our focus on screening the cadets on their capability to take off, fly and land the aircraft. Future Garmin use has to be determined later” Major Papadakis added.

The present HATC aircraft, like the P2002, but also upgraded T-6 Texans and near future M-346s will without doubt be more suited for front line Hellenic fighters including the upgraded F-16V and Mirage 2000-5 platforms but also on the newly ordered Rafales and the possible future F-35.