Lebanese Air Force Aviation School
Encyclopedia
The Lebanese Air Force Aviation School ( Madrasat al-Kouwat al-Jawiya) is a military school and part of the Lebanese Air Force
, established in 1960 . The school aims to qualify air force
pilots, and is located at Rayak Air Base
; however it is controlled by the air force command in Beirut Air Base
. The school currently employs Robinson Raven R44 II
helicopters of the Fifteenth Squadron for these training purposes.
for this purpose, by technically preparing them to fly jet planes and helicopters
and giving them courses in air and ground tactics. The school gives other minor courses including foreign language courses in order to keep a high educational standard between their trainees. Pilots are always trained by the school, in compliance with the missions given forth by the colleges and schools of the Lebanese
army.
training was stopped, however after 4 years the trainees were sent for training programs abroad. In 1995, and after the army's new UH-1H helicopters supplied by United States, the trainees were transferred back to the school. Training activities resumed in 1997, and officers shifting in major were directed from the ground forces to the air force. Training in the school's original base was halted in that period until November 5, 2001, when 6 new officers were transferred to the air force in addition to 4 observing officers (promoted in 2003). In 2002, 3 officers also joined the school for a 2-years training period.
Prior to using the Robinson Raven R44 II
starting 2005, the school used to train ab-initio on the UH-1 Iroquois
helicopters; However, the Huey is still used later in the course during the advanced Helicopter Training.
, with training and logistical support . This requires upgrading the facilities of the school also.
Lebanese Air Force
The Lebanese Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The seal of the air force is constituted of a Roundel with two wings and a Lebanese Cedar tree, surrounded by two laurel leaves on a blue background.-History:...
, established in 1960 . The school aims to qualify air force
Lebanese Air Force
The Lebanese Air Force is the aerial warfare branch of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The seal of the air force is constituted of a Roundel with two wings and a Lebanese Cedar tree, surrounded by two laurel leaves on a blue background.-History:...
pilots, and is located at Rayak Air Base
Rayak Air Base
Rayak Air Base is Lebanon's first air base and the place where the Lebanese Air Force was born on June 1, 1949. Located in the middle of the Bekaa Valley to the east, between the towns of Zahlé and Anjar, it symbolizes the Lebanese Air Force best and home for most of the aircraft types that have...
; however it is controlled by the air force command in Beirut Air Base
Beirut Air Base
Beirut Air Base is a military base owned by the Lebanese Armed Forces and operated by the Lebanese Air Force. It is located 9 km from the city center in the southern suburbs of Beirut, Lebanon....
. The school currently employs Robinson Raven R44 II
Robinson R44
|-See also:-External links:* * * * * *...
helicopters of the Fifteenth Squadron for these training purposes.
Mission
The school trains the air force pilots according to the needs of the trainees and according to the school's capabilities, taking into consideration the ongoing technological and military advancements. It also helps the army officers, who were transferred from the military academyLebanese Army Military Academy
The Lebanese Army Military Academy is a part of the Lebanese Armed Forces. The academy is situated at Shikri Ghanem military base, Fayadieh and is attached administratively to the command and administration department . It is one of the oldest military institutions in Lebanon, and was originally...
for this purpose, by technically preparing them to fly jet planes and helicopters
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
and giving them courses in air and ground tactics. The school gives other minor courses including foreign language courses in order to keep a high educational standard between their trainees. Pilots are always trained by the school, in compliance with the missions given forth by the colleges and schools of the Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
army.
History
August 1, 1982 was the date in which the last air force officers were promoted from the school. During the Lebanese Civil WarLebanese Civil War
The Lebanese Civil War was a multifaceted civil war in Lebanon. The war lasted from 1975 to 1990 and resulted in an estimated 150,000 to 230,000 civilian fatalities. Another one million people were wounded, and today approximately 350,000 people remain displaced. There was also a mass exodus of...
training was stopped, however after 4 years the trainees were sent for training programs abroad. In 1995, and after the army's new UH-1H helicopters supplied by United States, the trainees were transferred back to the school. Training activities resumed in 1997, and officers shifting in major were directed from the ground forces to the air force. Training in the school's original base was halted in that period until November 5, 2001, when 6 new officers were transferred to the air force in addition to 4 observing officers (promoted in 2003). In 2002, 3 officers also joined the school for a 2-years training period.
Prior to using the Robinson Raven R44 II
Robinson R44
|-See also:-External links:* * * * * *...
starting 2005, the school used to train ab-initio on the UH-1 Iroquois
UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
helicopters; However, the Huey is still used later in the course during the advanced Helicopter Training.
Program
- Ground School, which includes courses in AerodynamicsAerodynamicsAerodynamics is a branch of dynamics concerned with studying the motion of air, particularly when it interacts with a moving object. Aerodynamics is a subfield of fluid dynamics and gas dynamics, with much theory shared between them. Aerodynamics is often used synonymously with gas dynamics, with...
, aerial monitoring, introduction to the aircraft and sign communication with the watch tower. At the end of the first training sessions, the trainees take a test in order to see their progress. This test comes after a period of 15 hours of preliminary training. - Second year, which encompasses general aviation and military courses in addition to several levels required to be passed:
- SoloFirst solo flightThe first solo flight of a new pilot comprises that pilot completing a take off, and usually a short flight and safe landing, by him or herself...
, the first level training period where the newly trained pilot takes a 30-minute aviation test. - Emergence Phase, a training period inside the periphery of the air base.
- Combined Area, a training period outside the base's periphery.
- Solo
- Third year, which includes training on a simulator, mountainous and low training, in addition to aviation, tactical and night aviation. This period ends by taking operational training and then the pilot joins specified groups after having passed a total period of 180 aerial flights.
Simulators
The Lebanese Air Force is interested in obtaining one UH-1 flight simulatorFlight simulator
A flight simulator is a device that artificially re-creates aircraft flight and various aspects of the flight environment. This includes the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they react to applications of their controls and other aircraft systems, and how they react to the external...
, with training and logistical support . This requires upgrading the facilities of the school also.