SinoDefence Forum

Delbert

I just wonder how long does the pilots of PLAAF trains?

The total number of hours spent by each pilot in training a year?

Anybody have an answer or idea?

crobato

When General Pace visited the PLAAF 1st Division HQ, the article describing the visit referred to 140 hours. In November 2006, when a J-7 pilot lost his life as he cleared his malfunctioning plane over a populated area, the newspaper article stated he had 140 flight hours for the year and 90% in reaching his allotment. I would say a range of around 140 to 160 hours.

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Delbert

Ah I see... Thanks for the info.

With this data, I can say that the Airforce of China is as good as the US airforce. Who has around 150-200 hours of flight per year, base on my research data.

crobato

US air force should be around 180 to 220 hours, but that's not as important as having actual combat experience, well for bombing anyway, in Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Delbert

Hmmm... The latest combat experience I can see with the USAF was the bombing only as you have said...

Does the PLAAF uses mock air to air combat during trainings? Which includes distance and dog fights.

Totoro

Yes, PLAAF has been using aggressor squadron training for some years now. (a decade?) Both BVR and WVR combat is included. China has put great emphasis on training in the last decade or so, in the effort to catch up with the west. It is safe to assume they've at least managed to come close in quality of their pilots. (80/20% rule, first 80% always comes more easely)

Delbert

Even though I know it wouldn't be nice for a war, but sometimes I am thinking of having a USAF vs. PLAAF air combat using the modern fighter planes like (F-15, F-16,F-18 vs. J-10, SU-27,SU-30... (I just wonder who's pilot is better)

PrOeLiTeZ

Really??? I thought that J-7/J-8 pilots had 150-170hours while the J-10/J-11 pilots 170-190hours. From articles I've been reading coming from mainland China the J-10/J-11 pilots recieve an extra 20hours ontop of whatever J-7/J-8 pilots were getting. As sources cited that J-10/J-11 pilots are classified as the elites of PLAAF.

No need for war a mock up battle will be more that satisfying.
Match Up:
F-16 vs J-10: Lightweight
F-18 vs J-8: Midweight [Not really a midweight fighter but closes China has]
F-15 vs J-11: Heaveyweight

daveman

The answer would be not long enough.

The feats and skills of Russian pilots are well known on the international stage; the technological superiority of American fighter jets are also indisputable.

But the skills of Chinese pilots?

The words skill and Chinese pilots don't show up in the same sentence.

I have serious concerns about the abilities of Chinese pilots, either flying bombers or fighter jets.

crobato

Well we did catch an image of a PLAAF pilot's certificate from a pilot assigned to the 2nd Division. Adding up the hours at points of certification and the dates, I got like 185 hours a year.

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Delbert

Don't under estimate the skills of the Chinese Pilots!

So far, China's forces have never been tested yet in the modern 21st century warfare... I just wonder when will the world see the Chinese forces in action.

SteelBird

To see them in real action, you need a war. But that goes against China's peace policy. If Taiwan announce independence, you'll have a chance to see them in action.

For training hours, I don't think the same training hours mean the same training quality. For example, Man U. vs Charlton, do you think Charlton has less training hours? But it has never won Man U for more than 20 matches.

Roger604

It matters very little what "other people" think about PLAAF pilots.

Chinese people know that PLAAF pilots are among the most elite in the world. Just like Chinese Olympic athletes are among the most elite in the world. Fact is, China is very strong and competitive in many fields... the rest of the world just hasn't come to face reality yet. Instead they cling to old cliches to give them comfort.

PrOeLiTeZ

Element of suprise the deceptive image pilots facing Chinese pilots are they're ill trained so they'll be overconfident. Dont underestimate your opponent skills. China has never released and true vital evidence for any of their military projects and tactics. The amount of time depends if it is quality training time.

Refering to olympics China followed Soviet pattern of train train train, but that worked to a certain level. Now, they train less but more quality and effectivness.

Delbert

Can training of the Olympic athletes be compared with training of airforce pilots???

I think its a both different field and can never be used as comparison...