What is it like to first learn to pilot aircraft and then drive a car and how do the Icarus schools are gradually turned into reliable operators of sophisticated war machines? What is the demanding daily routine of flying and techniques on air bases around the territory? What is the feeling when the fighter reaches up to 8g charging limits? How is life when constant readiness is a prerequisite and how is it to start one day at work knowing that there is no room for divergence from safety protocols? What thoughts dominate the 10 minutes lasting a demonstration flight with impressive maneuvers? How do the seconds run on the cockpit of an F-16 Viper? What does “time 6” mean in the slang of the flyers and what are the rules of the Aeroles?

Prime Time’s camera and Stavros Ioannides give the answers to the aforementioned questions, while boarding a state-of-the-art M-346 and reach heights and speeds that few have the privilege of reaching.

The “silver hawk”

In Kalamata, it is located in Europe’s most modern educational center, certified by NATO. The 120th Wing of Air Education, commanded by Brigadier Flying Dimitrios Kokonis.

The state -of -the -art M346 is one of the most modern training aircraft in the world. With appropriate configuration it can simulate 4th and 5th generation fighters. That is, it is the right teacher for pilots who will soon be sitting in the pilots of the F-16 Viper, Rafale and F-35. His nickname is “silver hawk”. The reason is obvious. It accelerates so fast that you think you will be launched on a low orbit. It is so aerodynamic that it defies gravity and produces more power than the laws of physics allow. It has spikes, angles and interesting curves, while the extreme parts of its wings are painted blue. And when it passes by you he roars like a hungry tyrannosaurus.

Before the actual jetty, a digital is preceded by one of the most modern simulators in the world. It is the ideal way to get acquainted with aircraft systems.

In the simulator Stavros Ioannidis learns which buttons on the aircraft should not press. “Whatever yellow and black is a jiz, we don’t mind …” says Lieutenant -Colonel Badianoudis Nikolaos, M346 trainer.

And it’s time for the flight that will have two legs. In the first they will attempt to insult a land target. Will bomb an airport. “We will take advantage of the capabilities that the system gives us. We will do that because of the weather we fly over the clouds, we do not see a target but the system allows us to leave our weapons without visual revelation of the target. So we will make a virtual airport attack. Yes, with general use bombs.” Says Anastasios Faldamis, Smurgus 362 and one of the most experienced M346 operators.

Then the two planes will be separated and engaged in a real air fight, utilizing all the weapons available on the M346.

To find someone in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft, nine different doctors have to look at it, have the amateur marathon runner and Formula 1 driver reflexes.

The Military lever and the two engines launch the M346 in the sky in … seconds. “In every maneuver, you feel the result of the forces exerted on your body. As the plane loads G, the peripheral vision is lost, you gray. You feel that your lungs will peel off and pierce your back, while the heart is struggling with the heart. Tuna. Stavros Ioannides narrates.

115 Crete Battle Wing

From Kalamata, Prime Time’s camera and Stavros Ioannides go to Crete, on the 115th Battle Wing to get to know the pilots at the forefront of the intercept.

The 343 Squadron “Star” is the first of the Air Force to incorporate the upgraded F-16 Viper into its arsenal. With a base in Crete, the Aegean Guards are the Aegean Guards and their mission, the protection of the Greek skies, day and night under any circumstances.

The F-16 was born in the 1970s. But it is reminiscent of a 50 -year -old aircraft. In particular, Viper, the most modern version of the popular fighter, features electronic systems, radars and sensors that similar to those of the 5th generation fighters and ensure that it dominates for many years in the skies. In a short time, the Viper, along with the Rafale and the F-35s, will be the Air Force of the Future.

None of this could be done without the valuable help of techniques. Danai Linoxylakis is a technician in the F-16s. And specializes in arms. But how did he make the decision to enter the Air Force? “I have basically grown up, in the camps. My father was in the Air Force. From there I got my first stimuli. Then it was my sister to the Air Force. So for me it was a substantially lifestyle I had learned from a young age.” as she says.

In order to be in the cockpit of a fighter aircraft, you must first cross the threshold of the Icarus School.

“We are essentially talking about people who may not have seen an aircraft closely. So this man is called upon to learn from the beginning an airplane, how he handles it, how he flies, to become familiar with the flight environment and to cope with it.” Explains the Flyingman / Commander of the 2nd Flight Flights, Panagiotis Xenos.

Even as they have not been 18 years old, they are essentially getting the diploma of the aircraft and then apply a diploma for a car or engine …

The “National Greece” of the Air Force

The inspiration for dozens of young and young people who are part of the Air Force family is the Air Force Airplane Group. It is the “National Greece” of the Air Force that represents our country in Airshow in Greece and abroad.