The Italian Air Force’s 61° Stormo at Lecce-Galatina has introduced a new training system based on the M-346 Master. Gian Carlo Vecchi investigates one of Europe’s most advanced military flying schools.
T-346A with 61° Stormo
A pair of 212° Gruppo T-346As – MM55154 ‘61-01’ and MM55215 ‘61-10’ – break from the camera ship. The arrival of the T-346A with the wing has heralded a total overhaul of the Italian approach to flying training under the so-called Integrated Pilot Training System (IPTS) 2020.
All photos Gian Carlo Vecchi
Worldwide interest in the M-346 Master trainer – or T-346A under the Italian military designation system – is high, and the Aeronautica Militare (AM, Italian Air Force) flight school intake at Lecce-Galatina is becoming increasingly international.
