[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] "Cold sweat after just 10 minutes of flight"... Red Scarf Training Experience

Air Force Gwangju 1st Fighter Wing
Dedicated to Fighter Pilot Training
T-50 Trainer Aircraft Education... 2 Years of Pilot Training

In the early dawn of Sunday, June 25, 1950, when North Korean forces launched a surprise invasion under the codename 'Operation Storm 224,' the Republic of Korea Air Force was in a humble state during the Korean War. It had only 12 liaison aircraft used for various communication tasks and 10 AT-6 trainers developed by the U.S. military during World War II. However, starting with the introduction of the KT-1 basic trainer, the first domestically produced military aircraft in 1991, the foundation of the aviation industry was laid, and with the success of the first domestically produced supersonic aircraft, the T-50, the Air Force achieved the remarkable feat of possessing its own combat power.

Recently, a visit to the Air Force's 1st Fighter Wing located in Gwangju, Jeollado, provided an opportunity to witness the changed status of the Air Force. With the deployment of the T-50, the speed at which pilots train and adapt to fighter jets has accelerated. This base was much noisier with fighter jet engine sounds compared to other air bases. This is because, in addition to combat missions, it also trains student pilots, resulting in more frequent fighter jet sorties.

The Integrated Education and Training Battalion is where pilots receive simulation training in a virtual environment to learn how to fly fighter jets. Since student pilots cannot fly actual fighter jets, this training is an essential part of their education. To become a fighter pilot, one must first complete introductory training on the propeller-driven KT-100, followed by basic training on the propeller-driven KT-1. Afterward, advanced training must be completed at the Gwangju Air Base using the T-50 trainer equipped with a jet engine, only then can one earn the Air Force pilot's symbol, the 'Red Scarf.' Completing all training takes two years. During this process, mandatory flights are conducted through simulation.

In front of the simulation setup were four large monitors, each over 1 meter wide and tall. Sitting in a seat identical to that of the T-50 and focusing on the monitors, the forward view spanned approximately 140 degrees, providing a realistic perspective. The flight area was around the Gwangju region. Pushing the control stick with the left hand, the trainer quickly exceeded 700 km/h. Moving the control stick with the right hand changed the trainer's altitude and direction. The response was delicate; even slight movements caused immediate reactions. While observing the terrain over Gwangju, the speed surpassed Mach (the speed of sound). Changing direction, although the monitors remained still, the seat tilted left and right. It felt as if actually performing a roll maneuver in the air. After just 10 minutes of flight, dizziness and cold sweat set in. Upon reaching the sea off Gunsan, a turning flight began, heading back toward the Gwangju base. Suddenly, the screen went dark. It was night flight training. Instructor Captain Shin Junsu explained, “The purpose of simulation training is to learn how to respond to various situations encountered during flight,” adding, “You must not trust your eyes but rely on the instruments to judge attitude, speed, direction, and altitude.”

The instrument panel displayed over 100 buttons and gauges. It was impossible to know their exact functions. Following the instructor's directions, I focused again on the target point on the forward Head-Up Display (HUD). Although the runway was right ahead, it was impossible to simultaneously match speed and altitude. Ultimately, the virtual trainer crashed at the runway entrance.

Is it because a momentary mistake can lead to a fatal accident or mission failure? The eyes of the instructor pilot I met at the T-50 trainer runway were sharp. The instructor pilot was inspecting the T-50 trainer as a student pilot prepared for night flight wearing a G-suit (officially called an Anti-G suit). The G-suit is clothing worn by fighter pilots to withstand gravitational forces. The gravitational force experienced by ordinary people standing on the ground is 1G, and the force felt on fast amusement park rides like the Viking is 2G. However, fighter pilots must endure forces up to 9G in the air. Student pilot Lieutenant Park Minwoo said, “I wore the G-suit for the first time during advanced training,” adding, “Pilots have a lot of studying to do, but there are also many procedures to prepare for, so they are always tense.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.