|
Air Force pilot training entered a new era in 1980 with the introduction of the Finnish early trainer, the Vinka, and the new jet trainer, the Hawk. Both were of great importance to the Finnish aircraft industry.
Training pilots on jet aircraft is an essential intermediate stage in moving from the early trainer to a full-fledged fighter. Learning the flight properties of a jet aircraft and maintaining flight skills is considerably cheaper to do on a jet trainer than on a fighter.
Basic training in the use of cannon and missile systems is also undertaken on jet trainers. However, the Hawk trainers used by the Finnish Air Force are not suitable for interception.
|
The excellent flight properties and variable equipment of the Hawk have taken Finnish fighter pilot training into a new era.
|
|
|
|
Jet trainer
Use
- basic and further pilot training
Properties
(British Aerospace Hawk Mk 51)
- twin-seat jet trainer
- one 2,420 kp bypass jet engine
- maximum speed 1,040 km/h at low altitudes and 0.88 Mach at high altitudes
- maximum range 2,400 km
- maximum altitude 14,500 m
- empty weight 3,647 kg
- maximum takeoff weight 7,750 kg
- maximum fuel load 2,500 l
- span 9.4 m
- length 11.9 m
- height 4 m
- wing area 16.7 m2
- weapons
- 30 mm cannon
- practice missiles
- optional photographic reconnaissance equipment and sample tank
- manufactured in Britain
|
|
|
