The “Top Gun” of Helicopter Pilots at Pápa Again

The HTIC is the highest-level element of the MHTC’s program. The course can be regarded as the “Top Gun” of this field, during which future helicopter tactics instructors of the armed forces of member states of the European Union are chosen and trained. The instructor training course is made up of two phases: the first, four-week Ground Phase held in Portugal, and the second, three-week Flying Phase held at Pápa Airbase.

This year, besides Hungary, Austria, Germany, New Zealand and Portugal also delegated instructors to the course. Those completing the course for the first time will become BRONZE course graduates or “Tactics Trainees”. To acquire the SILVER tactics instructor level, one has to participate in the HTIC another time, but this time as an instructor of the first-year trainees (“Helicopter Tactics Instructors”). If they succeed in this as well, they get the opportunity to mentor instructors during the third year, which is a requirement for the GOLD tactics instructor or “Train the Trainer” level. The goal of this course system is to develop the helicopter tactics capability on both the member state and the Alliance levels.

Participants have to cope with serious physical and mental workloads during the whole course; they are constantly observed and assessed. During the Flying Phase, aircrews have to carry out different tactical formation manoeuvres, evading fighter aircraft, protection against air defence systems and radioelectric jamming, convoy escort and motor vehicle blocking. As the climax of the course, a Composite Air Operation (COMAO) must be planned and carried out, in cooperation with tactical aircraft and land forces.