CLARK FREEPORT – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is set to receive here on Monday the second batch of four SF-260 trainer aircraft as part of its P622.59-million deal with an Italian manufacturer for a total 18 such aircraft for the military.
PAF information officer Lt. Col. Ernesto Okol said that the second batch of the aircraft will be turned over and blessed by a priest at the 410th maintenance wing here, the same venue for the turn over of the first batch last Nov. 4.
He said the aircraft are assembled here by Aerotech Industries Philippines, Inc., a partner of Italy-based aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi, for the PAF.
During the turn over of the first batch of SF-260 planes, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin said that the morale of the military had been boosted by the government’s commitment to modernize the military.
All the 18 aircraft are expected to be with the PAF by April next year, at the total cost of P622.59 million, the PAF said.
Capt. Archimedes Alde, commander of the 102nd basic pilot training squadron, said the aircraft are to be used at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City in Batangas for the training of 150 student pilots of the PAF there.
“The new units are in F models or versions and marked as SF260FH designed for the PAF,” the PAF said.
“It’s the kind of aircraft owned by Tom Cruise,” said Aerotech chief operating officer Teresa Parian told Punto last March when former Defense Sec. Norberto Gonzalez inspected the plant where the aircraft were being assembled. Aerotech is an accredited supplier not only of the Philippine Armed Forces, but also of the Philippine National Police.
“The propeller-driven Alenia Aemacchi SF-260 is the world’s most successful screener and primary trainer. Fully aerobatic by design, the SF-260 offers flight characteristics and performance levels that allow effective pilot candidates screening early in the programme and minimizes the costs incurred when students wash out on jets or complex turboprops,” the PAF said.
The PAF also said “the SF-260 trainer aircraft is in service with 27 different military customers, civil professional flying schools and private operations worldwide with 1,000 units in flight operations.”
“The fleet has flown almost two million hours. The latest customers include the Italian Air Force with 30 new SF-260EA and the re-commissioning of the Libyan SF-260WL fleet,” it added.
The PAF said that the Aerotech package also includes free spare parts for the next three years, support equipment, special tools, common told and a technical publication for the reference of pilots and aircraft technicians.
Parian, during the inspection of the aircraft last March, said Aerotech had already donated to the PAF two SF-260 aircraft after its six-year contract (2002 to 2008) leasing to the PAF its three SF-260 aircraft ended.
PAF information officer Lt. Col. Ernesto Okol said that the second batch of the aircraft will be turned over and blessed by a priest at the 410th maintenance wing here, the same venue for the turn over of the first batch last Nov. 4.
He said the aircraft are assembled here by Aerotech Industries Philippines, Inc., a partner of Italy-based aircraft manufacturer Alenia Aermacchi, for the PAF.
During the turn over of the first batch of SF-260 planes, Defense Sec. Voltaire Gazmin said that the morale of the military had been boosted by the government’s commitment to modernize the military.
All the 18 aircraft are expected to be with the PAF by April next year, at the total cost of P622.59 million, the PAF said.
Capt. Archimedes Alde, commander of the 102nd basic pilot training squadron, said the aircraft are to be used at Fernando Air Base in Lipa City in Batangas for the training of 150 student pilots of the PAF there.
“The new units are in F models or versions and marked as SF260FH designed for the PAF,” the PAF said.
“It’s the kind of aircraft owned by Tom Cruise,” said Aerotech chief operating officer Teresa Parian told Punto last March when former Defense Sec. Norberto Gonzalez inspected the plant where the aircraft were being assembled. Aerotech is an accredited supplier not only of the Philippine Armed Forces, but also of the Philippine National Police.
“The propeller-driven Alenia Aemacchi SF-260 is the world’s most successful screener and primary trainer. Fully aerobatic by design, the SF-260 offers flight characteristics and performance levels that allow effective pilot candidates screening early in the programme and minimizes the costs incurred when students wash out on jets or complex turboprops,” the PAF said.
The PAF also said “the SF-260 trainer aircraft is in service with 27 different military customers, civil professional flying schools and private operations worldwide with 1,000 units in flight operations.”
“The fleet has flown almost two million hours. The latest customers include the Italian Air Force with 30 new SF-260EA and the re-commissioning of the Libyan SF-260WL fleet,” it added.
The PAF said that the Aerotech package also includes free spare parts for the next three years, support equipment, special tools, common told and a technical publication for the reference of pilots and aircraft technicians.
Parian, during the inspection of the aircraft last March, said Aerotech had already donated to the PAF two SF-260 aircraft after its six-year contract (2002 to 2008) leasing to the PAF its three SF-260 aircraft ended.
