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366:, widely considered the architect of the modern Israeli Air Force, and his aim of recruiting only "the best for pilots." His reasoning was that the skill and bravery of the ground forces would be for naught if they could be attacked at will from the air. As a result, only those thought to possess the innate ability to succeed as Israeli pilots are even invited to begin the training process, and only the most qualified succeed in completing what is seen by many as the world's most demanding military selection course.
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374:(cohesion), a selection phase involving physical, mental, and sociometric challenges. Recruits are screened not only for their ability to perform the tasks assigned, but for their attitude in performing them—such as how they take hardships and unexpected difficulties, how well they work in groups and how they approach problem solving and disaster management situations. As many as 50% percent of those who commence the
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520:. The intensive academic year (not equivalent to regular university studies) consists of three semesters, of 13 weeks each. The four graduate courses include: Mathematics and Computer Science; Management of Information Systems; Economics and Management; Politics, Administration and Management. In addition, the cadets study about military topics, aviation topics and take three courses in English.
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393:). The prospective pilots are evaluated constantly, and the vast majority of those who begin flight training do not make it through the full program. Those expelled from the course will either remain in the air force in a non-flying capacity, or transfer to an army unit. (This depends to a large degree on the stage at which they leave the course.)
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327:. Most of the flight instructors at the time were foreign and the official language of the course was English. The course ended on 10 August 1950 and had 13 pilot graduates and four navigator graduates. In order to prepare them as fighter pilots, in December 1950 a separate operational training squadron was established, flying the
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special committee completes its deliberations, the cadets who will be graduating begin preparing for the ceremony. There are two graduation ceremonies every year, one in the spring and one in the fall. One of the graduates' final tasks is to act as the induction cadre for the next class of cadets arriving to begin their
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This phase lasts about five months. It includes a complex infantry series (including navigation, survival, etc.), Parachuting course, hand to hand combat, escaping workshop, Officers
Ordination and Academic Studies (lasts about five weeks). At the end of this phase the cadets receive an air crew pin,
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The graduation ceremony, at which the new pilots and navigators receive their wings insignia, is conducted in the presence of the cadets' families, senior government officials (frequently including the prime minister), as well as top air force and army leaders. At both ceremonies, an impressive air
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Consequently, potential
Israeli pilots are identified prior to reporting for national service at age 18, based on factors such as high grades in school and top scores on standardized tests, excellent physical condition and high technical aptitude. Those who meet these and other criteria are invited
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Three years after beginning the course, and two weeks before its completion, a special committee meets to examine all the cadets and determine which ones will be completing the course. While rare, it is not unknown for some cadets to be dropped from the course even at this late stage. After the
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While in flying school, future pilots are sorted and assigned to train on different types of aircraft. Relatively few become fighter pilots (considered by many to be the most desirable assignment), while the remainder learn to fly helicopters, transport aircraft, or train as navigators.
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In 2002 the structure of the flight course changed, it was extended from two years to three years, and included undergraduate academic studies. In addition, since 2002 the flight course graduates receive the rank of lieutenant, and not the rank of Second
Lieutenant.
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After the course ends, the pilots undergo an operational training course that takes place in an operational squadron and lasts about six months, aimed at preparing the IAF pilots for operational missions. The operational training course is conducted in either the
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At this phase, which lasts about six months, the cadets are divided into departments and acquire basic skills needed to fly aircraft. The departments are: combat pilots, combat navigators, transport pilots and helicopter pilots.
315:. In May 1949 12 more graduates completed the second IAF flight course, which also took place mostly in Czechoslovakia. The first flight course held entirely in Israel was held at Camp Sirkin, near
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The first phase of the flight course lasts about six months. It includes an infantry basic training course at the
Infantry School of the Air Force (lasting about seven weeks), an academic course (
319:, and began on 14 February 1950. The first base commander was Benjamin Bune (Bunisslvsky), The first chief training officer was Gideon Shohet, The first commander of the primary flight school was
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may volunteer to serve in the IDF, it is unclear whether they can seek air force training. In 2006, an
Israeli Arab applied for the pilot program, but was not accepted. In 2009 the first Israeli
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which determine their distribution to the various departments: combat pilots, helicopter pilots and navigators. Cadets who are dropped from the course at this phase can request to join the
516:. These two phases, which are commonly referred to as the "Year of Education" (שנת ההשכלה), last for about a year. Consecutive academic studies for a BA are done under the auspices of the
404:, the Air Force was instructed to open its flight school to women. Miller passed her entrance exams, yet failed the medical tests and thus did not qualify. The first female fighter pilot,
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The last phase of the course includes acquisition of advanced aircraft skills and finishing the academic studies. Graduates receive at the end of this phase a lieutenant rank, a
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embark on a three-year journey to earn their wings, which includes extensive flight training, infantry training, an officer's course, and studies towards an academic degree (a
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finished the course and received his wings. In early 2018, it was announced that a
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Immediately after the end of the five months of the basic phase the trainees undergo test flights in the
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which is equivalent to the platoon commander pin which is granted to graduates of officers school.
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with a white stripe around the edge, and a white background behind the Air Force symbol.
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Air War on the Edge – A History of the Israel Air Force and its
Aircraft since 1947
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M-346 Master advanced trainer of the combat pilots and combat navigators department
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After a landmark 1994 High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa,
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During this and most of the following phases of the course the cadets wear a
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102:. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.
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A pair of Grob G-120A aircraft at the IAF cadet graduation ceremony
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Graduation ceremony of the IAF flight course, 10 August 1950
792:"1st Bedouin in IAF pilot's course," Arutz Sheva, 1 January 2018
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275:. Graduates of the course receive the rank of lieutenant and a
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will be dropped from further consideration at its conclusion.
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781:"IDF Says 'No' to Arab Pilot," yNetNews.com, 10 January 2006
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The first IAF flight course was completed in March 1949 in
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and the first commander of the advanced flight school was
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Samuel M. Katz, Motorbooks International (Osceola), 1991
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Current badge "wings" of an Israeli Defense Forces pilot
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show is presented by Air Force helicopters and planes.
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The selection process for IAF pilots can be traced to
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Israeli Air Force Flight Academy A-4 Skyhawk Takeoff
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311:and Danny Shapira, had received their training in
741:New York Times – Israeli Air Force Not for Her
508:Introductions phase and graduate courses phase
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307:. The first four graduates, including
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158:adding citations to reliable sources
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169:"Israeli Air Force Flight Academy"
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42:This article has multiple issues.
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471:T-6 Texan II basic trainer
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563:M-346 "Lavi"
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1333:New Zealand
1220:South Korea
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930:Ramat David
867:Sherut Avir
684:Amos Yadlin
639:Benny Peled
442:mathematics
317:Petah Tikva
1350:Categories
1251:Uzbekistan
1179:Bangladesh
955:Sdot Micha
935:Ein Shemer
709:References
699:Giora Romm
679:David Ivry
649:Dan Halutz
614:Ilan Ramon
602:Ilan Ramon
450:Grob G-120
273:Beer Sheva
180:newspapers
92:improve it
47:improve it
1328:Australia
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1200:Indonesia
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287:History
194:scholar
90:Please
1307:Russia
1297:Poland
1292:Norway
1282:Greece
1277:France
1260:Europe
1246:Turkey
1236:Taiwan
1210:Jordan
1205:Israel
1153:Mexico
1143:Canada
1138:Brazil
1112:Uganda
1092:Angola
1085:Africa
950:Hatzor
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411:While
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344:Europe
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1287:Italy
1195:India
1097:Egypt
970:Ramon
925:Haifa
457:Beret
417:Druze
271:near
201:JSTOR
187:books
1172:Asia
1014:Ofek
975:Ovda
762:ISBN
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575:F-35
571:F-16
567:F-15
444:and
387:B.A.
252:The
173:news
1008:669
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391:BSc
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