As part of our role as Training Service Partner under the UK Military Flying Training System, it is important that Ascent engages with industry and is familiar with the range of training aircraft and associated training systems currently available on the market.
This is even more essential following the announcement in the Defence Investment Plan of the UK’s Jet Training System programme, replacing the Hawk T1 & T2, whilst we await confirmation of the procurement approach. Many of these training aircraft were showcased at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow.
Following previous visits to the International Flight Training School in Italy to fly the M-346, and to Sacheon in the Republic of Korea to fly the T-50, Ascent recently had the privilege of visiting Turkish Aerospace (TAI) facilities in Ankara, where Valley QFI, Gary Clark, got to experience the Hürjet 001 first hand.
Great credit to TAI for the remarkable progress achieved with Hürjet and its wider portfolio of aerospace platforms. Thanks to the entire TAI team for their hospitality and openness throughout the visit. We have been consistently impressed by the professionalism, transparency and warm welcome extended by all of our industry partners as we continue this journey.
Our next stop is Switzerland, to see first hand how Pilatus is approaching 5th-generation fast jet training through its PC-21-based training system.
