The Players
Patria Group
Patria is a defence and aerospace group with international operations delivering its customers competitive solutions based on own specialist know-how and partnerships.
Patria is owned by the State of Finland (73.2 %) and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (26.8 %).
Key business areas
- Armoured wheeled vehicles, mortar systems and ammunition products as well as their life cycle support
- Life cycle support and training services for military/governmental aircraft and helicopters
- Development and integration of systems for command and control, and situational awareness In the FINAF training system, Patria provides primary and basic flight training services for the Air Force Academy (AFA) in Tikkakoski.
Training Air Wing, Kauhava
The TAW reports direct to the Commander of the Finnish Air Force. Its primary mission is to provide advanced (Phase III) and tactical (Phase IV) flight training to military pilots with its fleet of Hawk fast jet trainers.
History
The TAW has a long history in military flight training. Its expertise accumulated during more than 80 years will benefit all customers of the NPTC.
Lentokeskus (Aviation Centre), founded at Lappeenranta in 1918, can be regarded as the first military aviation school in Finland. On October 1, 1918 training was consolidated in Turku where a special-purpose training unit under the name of Suomen Lentopataljoona (Finnish Aviation Battalion) was established. The foundation of this unit is regarded as the start of organised flight training in Finland the first of October was chosen as the Heritage Day of the Training Air Wing.
The stay of the Aviation Battalion in Turku was not long. As early as October 15, 1918 it moved to Helsinki where training on landplanes and seaplanes was initiated. As the location and facilities in Helsinki were not ideal search for a new location in Central Finland and Southern Ostrobothnia was started in the middle of the 1920s. In 1924 a reconnaissance flight was performed to find a suitable place for an airfield in the latter region.
After some colourful events a choice was made in favour of Kauhava. This decision also ended doctrinal disputes over the comparative benefits of seaplanes and landplanes. The newly named Ilmasotakoulu (Air Warfare School) relocated to Kauhava in the summer of 1929. The first training flight was made at Kauhava on July 15, 1929.
During the war years 1939 – 1944 the Air Warfare School trained 900 pilots, 100 flight instructors, 240 observers, and 100 aerial gunners and radio operators.
A new era in the history of the Air Force Academy (the new name of the Air Warfare School) dawned in 1960 when the runway was paved and jet aircraft entered service. Along with the arrival of the Hawk in 1984, the runway was extended to 2700 metres.
From the beginning of the 1980s the most significant structural developments have been related to the improvement of training conditions. The Kauhava base is being further developed as a main operating base of the FINAF.
In 2006 the Commander of the FINAF decided to consolidate all Hawk training at Kauhava. At the same time the Air Force Academy was renamed Lentosotakoulu (Training Air Wing). By centralizing all Hawk training, the FiAF and TAW were able to even improve the existing high standards of their Phase III and IV training programmes.
On January 17, 2007 the TAW was awarded an international ISO 9000:2000 Quality Certificate for its excellent operation.
Fighter Squadron 41
Fighter Squadron 41 is responsible for Phase III and IV flight training and Hawk flight instructor courses.
Cadets initiate their studies in the officer’s training programme in an Air Force Pilot Course in the National Defence University, and all of them are scheduled to attain a Master’s Degree.
Flight training begins on the piston-engined Vinka at the Air Force Academy in Tikkakoski and continues on the Hawk at the Training Air Wing in Kauhava.
Hawks are used to transform fledgling airmen into qualified fighter pilots. Training on this fast jet
consist of an Advanced and Tactical fighter pilot training phases. After the Hawk training young pilots will move to the Air Commands and convert to the F-18 Hornet.
The flight training programmes are tailored to meet the European Joint Aviation Requirements (JAR) CPL/IR theory. The English language is used in communications with the air traffic
control, and all tactical training is carried out in English, using Nato brevity words and procedures.
Aircraft Maintenance
Line and phased maintenance and non-scheduled repairs of aircraft are directed by the Aircraft and Weapon Systems Section of the TAW Headquarters. This section also coordinates technical training provided by the TAW for personnel of various specialties. Aircraft maintenance personnel of the TAW include warrant officers, enlisted maintainers and conscripts, while the Operations Support Element also employs civilians.
The Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ensures that the required number of serviceable aircraft and equipment are available for use by Fighter Squadron 41. In its capacity as the sole maintenance unit of the Hawk, the squadron maintains Hawks for the needs of the entire air force.