International Flight Training School’s groundbreaking ceremony carried out by Leonardo and the Italian Air Force

A groundbreaking ceremony for the new International Flight Training School was carried out at the Italian Air Force’s base in Decimomannu, located in Sardinia, Italy. Italian Defence Undersecretary Hon. Giulio Calvisi, the Sardinian Region’s Governor Hon. Christian Solinas, Italian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Enzo Vecciarelli, Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Alberto Rosso, Leonardo Chairman Luciano Carta, Leonardo CEO Alessandro Profumo and Marco Zoff, Leonardo Aircraft MD, were among the attendees at the ceremony.

International Flight Training School

The International Flight Training School (IFTS) is the result of a strategic collaboration between the Italian Air Force and Leonardo, which is aimed at the establishment of an advanced flight training centre. This initiative will become an international benchmark for military pilots’ training, particularly in the advanced phase of training future fighter pilots.

International Flight Training School brings a very high level of technological innovation and cutting-edge training skills"

Luciano Carta, Chairman of Leonardo, said “The International Flight Training School brings a very high level of technological innovation and cutting-edge training skills, which will contribute to enhancing the role of the Italian Air Force and our Company in an increasingly complex and competitive international context.”

Luciano adds “For this reason, Leonardo will provide skills, technology, and innovation to support the creation of the most important training centre for military aviation, a source of pride for Italy, for Europe and for our strategic allies.”

Military pilot integrated training systems

Alessandro Profumo, CEO of Leonardo, said “The International Flight Training School is able to meet the growing demands of the Italian Air Force and partner countries for pilot training. It is a virtuous example of a synergic collaboration between the military and industry, which, in turn, generates an important return for the whole country.”

Alessandro adds, “We’ve combined the Italian Air Force’s established know-how and Leonardo’s excellence in military pilot integrated training systems with maximised cost-effectiveness, whilst also strengthening the international role played by Leonardo as a major Training Service Provider.”

Pilot training for 4th and 5th gen fighter jets

“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony event for the International Flight Training School, though simple and unfortunately with a limited number of authorities attending due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, is an important step in an ambitious international initiative, not only for the Italian Air Force and Leonardo, but also for the entire nation”, said Italian Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Alberto Rosso.

The work to build the facilities, which will host a state-of-the-art advanced flight training school, starts at this Airbase today"

Alberto Rosso adds, “The work to build the facilities, which will host a state-of-the-art advanced flight training school, starts at this Airbase today. Here is where Italian military pilots, and those pilots from countries who have recognised the quality and effectiveness of our integrated training system, will be trained. An integrated training system developed for those who will fly 4th and 5th generation fighters.”

Gen. Rosso continues stating, “The Italian Air Force and Leonardo share expertise and technologies to create, in the most cost-effective way, modern professionals, able to operate and manage increasingly technological and complex aircraft. Competences, quality and long-established experience of both the Air Force and our national industry in the training sector are the best calling card for this excellent training offer.”  

Leonardo – Italian Air Force strategic partnership

Italian Defence Undersecretary, Giulio Calvisi stated, “This is an important project with no less than 20-years of operation ahead, considering the military and industrial efforts devoted to IFTS. The partnership between the Italian Air Force, thanks to its longstanding and solid flight training expertise, and Leonardo as a leader in integrated training, provides evidence of a clear synergy between two Italian excellences.”

Giulio Calvisi adds, “A collaboration which, on the one hand, will lead to an increase in the training offer with important local benefits in terms of job opportunities. On the other hand, there is the possibility for Leonardo to attract further foreign investments, strengthening the role and world leadership in this sector.”

Ground Based Training System (GBTS)

An entire building will be home to the Ground Based Training System (GBTS)

With the building of the new International Flight Training School (IFTS) campus headquartered at the Decimomannu Airbase, a true flight training academy will be established. It will be able to host students, technicians, as well as leisure and sports areas, a cafeteria, and maintenance and logistics infrastructures to guarantee the readiness of a 22 M-346 (designated the T-346A by the Italian Air Force) airplane fleet.

An entire building will be home to the Ground Based Training System (GBTS), with classrooms and the installation of a modern training system based on the latest generation simulation system. The construction of the IFTS facility will generate positive returns for the local economy and supply chain.

M-346-based training syllabus advanced phase

Once the construction is complete, the IFTS will achieve operational readiness starting in 2022, creating significant job opportunities locally. With the new Leonardo M-345 arriving soon at the Italian Air Force’s 61st Wing Airbase in Lecce Galatina to replace gradually the T-339A and FT-339C fleets, the M-346-based training syllabus advanced phase will be moved progressively to the Decimomannu Airbase.

The Leonardo M-346 is the cornerstone of the Air Force training unit, where many pilots have been trained, not only from Italy but also from a number of other countries, including the United States of America, Spain, France, Austria, The Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Argentina, Greece and Kuwait, to name a few.