India Buys Migs for Carrier

[AppleCello]

http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20070124/59629022.html

"This warplane, now undergoing flight tests, was developed especially for the Indian navy's aircraft carrier "Vikramaditya," formerly called the "Admiral Gorshkov," which was sold to India several years ago and is currently being upgraded at the Sevmash machine-building plant in Severodvinsk."

 

[sniksnak]

the first two classes of Indian carrier pilots-to-be are training in the USA right now. they were actually winged by the Indian Navy before starting the TS syllabus ... if you go through kingsville, you will likely fly with them. nice guys and good pilots, all of them. mig-29s in their future.

 

[e6bflyer]

We are training some of them at Whiting as well and then sending them on. Agreed, all great guys.

 

[bunk22]

We are training some of them at Whiting as well and then sending them on. Agreed, all great guys.

My cohort down here is Captain Gupta, the Indian liason. The Indian students go through their own primary before coming here and all are going to be Mig pilots for the above aircraft. Though it's my understanding one Indian student was just sent home. Word on the street is Gupta is the man when it comes to flying. Apparently he's the first instructor to train US students who wasn't US trained. Not sure if it's a CNATRA rule or what but to be a US flight instructor, you have to have completed our program. Also heard he was the shit as a Sea Harrier, pilot, one of their top dogs. I got this from the FITU, some high praise for the man. Never could tell from his demeanor, one of the nices guys you'll ever meet.....no ego, no chip on his shoulder.

 

[Flash]

The former Admiral Gorshkov will go from this:

Will come out of the yards as the INS Vikramaditya looking like this:

Next on MTV, Pimp My Carrier!

 

[A4sForever]

....I had a Venezualan T-2 instructor ....

One of the Beeville T-2 instructors in primary jet was Venezuelan ... another A-4 driver was Argentinian ... we had T-34 Vietnamese in VT-1 that instructed in early stages as well as being liaison for our Viet STUDs ... and when I was a MIDN, one of the guys who gave us our jet INDOC during 2/C cruise was Venezuelan ... F-9 Cougars ... guess some foreign Navy instructors go back quite a way.

 

[Zilch]

Seems weird, the idea of US-trained guys ending up flying Mig-29's. Times changin'.

 

[Brett327]

It's an interesting model to have them around. There are always a couple exchange guys teaching at the Prowler RAG - usually a Brit and a German.

Brett

 

[bunk22]

Not sure if its the same as what you're talking about, but I had a Venezualan T-2 instructor and a French T-45 instructor while in Meridian.

Again, from what I understand, as long as they had training in the US, they can come back and train. There are French, German, Italian, Saudia, Kuwaiti, Indian and a few others in the mix as students right now. Though as far as I know, only the Indian guys are headed towards jets. Though the French might send students who will be headed towards jets as well.

 

[bunk22]

Their US experience was the IUT for the TRACOM. Same for Aussie and Canadian Hornet FRS instructors.

For winged aviators, it might be different. As far as the VT IP's go, did they ever come through as a student...only IUT? I'm learning as I go here but was told by NITTC, only those who were trained by us can instruct......he was speaking only for non-winged aviators.

 

[A4sForever]

....As far as the VT IP's go, did they ever come through as a student...only IUT? ....

It's probably different now ... or maybe not ... but ALL of our exchange/foreigners were winged Aviators ... some from US and some from THEM ... but they all IUT'ed in the TRACOM (or course) and all instructed US STUDs ....

 

[invertedflyer]

It would definitely be cool to meet those pilots.... brings that "red october" documentary to mind. How does one get lucky enough to do an exchange tour? I know you have to submit a package probably.