'FA-50' Trained Polish Pilot "Amazed by Agility"

Polish Export Model 'FA-50PL' Scheduled for Transfer of 36 Units from 2025 to 2028... "Performance Very Satisfactory"

"The FA-50 is pilot-friendly and agile. It is very suitable for young pilots preparing for the future."

Polish Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bartosz Guwa (37), who received training on the domestically produced light attack aircraft FA-50 at Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), said this during a meeting with reporters at KAI headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongnam, on the 28th of last month. Lt. Col. Guwa is a pilot who will fly the FA-50PL (Polish version of the FA-50), which KAI plans to deliver to Poland from next year until 2028. Over the past six months, he has been traveling between Korea and Poland to receive flight training from the Air Force and KAI.

This is the first domestic media interview with a FA-50PL trainee pilot.

Lt. Col. Guwa said, "Since the delivery phase of the FA-50PL is not yet complete, there are some limitations in what I can explain," but added, "The FA-50 I experienced through training demonstrated excellent performance and was pilot-friendly. From a pilot’s perspective, I discovered some surprisingly impressive features beyond expectations." He also said, "We conducted many combat hours without serious malfunctions, and many pilots were particularly amazed by the agility of the FA-50. It is an excellent aircraft for young pilots to cultivate the skills necessary to operate other aircraft such as the F-16 or F-35 in the future."

KAI signed a contract with Poland in July 2022 to export a total of 48 FA-50s and is currently delivering them. As of early this year, 12 units (FA-50GF) have been delivered, and the remaining 36 units, upgraded with enhanced avionics and armaments as the FA-50PL version, are scheduled for delivery from next year until 2028.

Lt. Col. Guwa said, "The FA-50GF is also important to the Polish Air Force," adding, "The biggest reason is that pilots can begin the transition phase to prepare for the FA-50PL." Regarding Korean-made weapon systems exported to Poland, such as the K-2 tank and K-9 self-propelled howitzer, Lt. Col. Guwa said, "Since these have just been introduced and we are focusing on applying them to the defense system, it is still too early to make a serious evaluation."

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