The Military currently faces a shortage of 2,000 pilot in the force. To combat this, a variety of strategies are in place. From VRAAD to aggressive recruitment initiatives, the Military is doing all that it can to not only keep the strong personnel it already has, but also to recruit additional members. To learn more about this join us at the 4th Annual Military Flight Training Event, running December 5-7th in San Antonio

Major General Craig D. Wills, Commander of the 19th Air Force USAF, gives an update on what they have been up to and how they have been to maximise the resources available to produce world-class Pilot Training.

Donn Yates, Boeings Director Business of Development, relates what he has learned as an Air Power practitioner of twenty-five years. His industry and Airforce commander experience has helped him build a solid foundation as an Air Training expert, with the eight main tenants he presents on what operating a fighter today and tomorrow will look like and what this means for advanced training.

Jim Chittenden, deputy of strategic growth and development VP for CAE, delivers the 2022 Military Flight Training Opening Remarks. Jim sets the tone and the scene by briefly going into the industry’s latest developments and challenges. Most importantly, he sets out the conference goals like increasing engagement and cooperation in the domain.

Lieutenant General (Ret’d) Anthony Rock, chair of the 2022 Military Flight Training UK, goes into the history and importance of the conference. MFT remains the benchmark, with more than forty nations represented across military, industry, and government.

Daniele Cucchi, Aviation Support Programme Manager for the NSPA, delivers a presentation on NATO’s involvement in the Military Flight Training Domain. As the lead organisation for multi-national procurement for NATO nations, the NSPA oversees the partnerships in various fields, including fixed and non-fixed wing training. Furthermore, with the upcoming NATO Flight Training Europe initiative, his presentation gives insight into the potential of multi-national partnerships for both industry and military.

Lockheed Martin’s Vice president and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Training and Logistics Solutions, Chauncey McIntosh, has a fire-side chat with Air Commodore Ian J. Sharrocks, Director of Flying Training, No 22 Group. They discuss their personal experiences and the advancements in Military Flight Training. As veterans of the sector, their chat provides invaluable insights into the minds of those in charge of Military Flight training.

The Military Flight Training Industry Panel hosted industry experts such as Air Marshal (Ret’d) Stuart Evans (NATO), Jim Chittenden (CAE Defence & Security), Peter Fedak (SkyAlyne), Lt. Gen Settimo Caputo (Leonardo), and Thomas Quelly (Lockheed Martin). Together they paint a detailed industry landscape of Military Flight Training valuable to both end-users and commercial.

Head of the Multinational Capability Cooperation Unit, Joachim Hofbauer, will present NFTE (NATO Flight Training Europe). He explains the ins and outs of the programme, including its value proposition. The initiative aims to reduce the trans-Atlantic burden-sharing and deliver aircrew training under favourable conditions. As a significant programme still in its relative infancy, his presentation gives us a window on things to come for NATO and its allies.

Regan Patrick, the Chief Learning Officer for CAE Defence and Security, presents on Innovation in Military Flight Training & Adaptive Learning. Here, he explores adaptive learning, a customised learning approach which focuses on “Transformation” rather than “Production” of aviators. As teaching technology develops, so can the concept of teaching itself.

The British-made Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer currently provides pilot training for 21 of the world's air forces. Archie Neill, business development director for BAE's defence information, training and services unit, takes Defence IQ through the benefits the company's solutions provide during the annual Military Flight Training conference (London, UK).