New Bahrain Training Wing Takes Shape

The Royal Bahraini Air Force’s new air training wing is on track to start full operations in 2007. In March 2006 synthetic training equipment will be delivered, and by the end of next year all six Hawk aircraft are to be in place.

Pilot aptitude testing is already under way and three Slingsby Firefly T67M260s are being used for elementary and basic training. The synthetic training equipment includes a full dome simulator and an avionics part task trainer. It bridges the gap between the Firefly and advanced jet training in the Hawk.