Taiwan's new Flight Training Command

The Chung-Hua Min Guo Kong Jun (RoCAF, Republic of China Air Force) has made a change to the structure of its training organisation. 1 December 2023 saw the official foundation of Air Force Flight Training Command (AFFTC).

Up till now, all air force pilot training took place under the wings of the Air Force Academy located at Gangshan air base. The Air Force Academy comprised of three flying units: Basic Training Group, flying the T-34C-1, Fighter Training Group, flying the domestically developed, but ageing AT-3 jet trainer, and the Airlift Training Group.

The new AFFTC will be responsible for the training of F-16V pilots. To this end, as before, the AT-3 will be used in the lead-in fighter training role, after which the trainees will transition to the AT-5 Brave Eagle jet.

Further down the line, the AT-3 is also slated for replacement by the Brave Eagle, after which pilot training will take place with just the T-34C-1 and AT-5. The Air Force Academy will remain in existence next to the AFFTC, but will no longer own any aircraft.

Credit photos: Reinier Schreurs (Scramble Archive)