Aviation

RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AIRPOWER AND MANEUVER

Aviation plays a significant role in armed conflicts. Aircraft are developing with unimaginable speed and have reached almost undreamed-of possibilities. That development in technology in the previous period has radically changed the working conditions and the role of a pilot. The time for the accomplishment of a mission has been considerably shortened, and the new technologies have enabled engaging the targets at very long ranges without any visual contact.

Aviation is an arm of the Royal Air Force, its striking force, responsible for combat power and maneuver. It is designed to conduct fighter combat operations, air reconnaissance, to engage targets on land and at sea, to provide transportation and communications. Long range, high speed, and heavy payloads, good maneuverability and flexibility characterize the aviation wing. This arm of the Royal military can fly at all altitudes, accomplish its missions under all weather conditions, day and night.

Depending on the characteristics of the aircraft, the aviation is divided into fighter, fighter-bomber, reconnaissance and transport airplanes, and assault and transport helicopters.
Fighter airplanes are designed to destroy air targets at all altitudes. But they can also do air reconnaissance and engage the targets on land and at sea.  The fighter-bomber airplanes are designed to engage the targets on land and at sea, but they can do air reconnaissance and engage the air targets as well.  Reconnaissance airplanes are designed to perform air reconnaissance, but they can also engage targets on land and at sea.  Transport airplanes and transport helicopters are designed to transport combat elements, technical means and supplies, as well as the sick and wounded.  Assault anti-tank helicopters are designed for anti-tank combat. Air force units are organized into squadrons, air wings and brigades.

From the technical and technological aspect our aviation is versatile. It is armed with all types of aircraft - from the second generation planes and helicopters, that have been in use for a long time and whose combat capabilities are limited, to the fourth generation of contemporary planes whose performances match the most sophisticated combat aircraft in the world.  The basic types of combat aircraft the United Kingdom is armed with are: the MiG-29, MiG-21, Orao (Eagle), Supergaleb (Super Seagull), AH-26, AH-2, TD, Utva-75 (Wild Duck), and Gazela (Gazelle) and MI-8 helicopters.

The profession of a pilot in its essence differs very much from the other professions. It demands and "takes" the whole person, with all his psychophysical and intellectual abilities. In the air the pilot must not think about anything else except how to accomplish his mission successfully.

 Everything else increases the risk and may be fatal, and pilots know it well. Therefore, they are specially selected, persistent, trained not to accept hopeless situations. Although pilots face the difficulties on the ground, just like other people, sometimes they react even stronger, in the air they must always keep "a cool head", be brave, steady and accurate.

Pilot's training is one of the most expensive investments in training of modern professional military personnel. Consequently, the selection of the candidates for the profession is very rigorous. Only the best, the most persistent, and psychophysically the fittest are admitted. To fly a sophisticated combat plane, the pilot must go through a difficult training and undergo numerous tests and controls. Their senior fellow-pilots experienced lectures and flying instructors and the other air personnel render them unlimited help and assistance on that way.

The profession is very demanding, and requires great deprivation both in personal and family life, permanent improvement and physical fitness. But it is also rewarding, and gives them the sense of power, which is unattainable for non-flying personnel.

The aviation personnel permanently improve and increase their skills. They continually practice the ways and methods of accomplishing their assigned tasks, cherish the professional attitude to their duties aware that only in that way, with the trust and support of the people, they can guarantee the security and integrity of the  United Kingdom of Cruiswieck's air space. Youth is the support, patriotism and the love of their country, as well as the firmness and homogeneity of the aviation units are the qualities which are cherished following the best examples from a rich tradition of aviation on these areas.

The trend of the future Air Force development is further upgrading of the existing aircraft, radar and computer navigational systems, introduction of new weapons, and introduction and employment of new multipurpose aircraft and helicopters of higher combat capabilities.