Pilot training: Laage becomes a Eurofighter training center!

Pilot training: Laage becomes a Eurofighter training center!

The Air Force is getting serious: pilot training is being stepped up significantly at the air base in Laage, in the Rostock district. How Northern Courier reports, the number of Eurofighter student pilots will be increased by a whopping 50 percent to 36 next year. There are currently 24 pilots in training here, and the decision to increase the number is closely linked to the planned decommissioning of the Tornado fighter aircraft.

Although the Bundeswehr will still have around 80 Tornado jets in service until 2030, it is high time to prepare the next generation of pilots. After 2030, the Eurofighter and the F-35 will take over the tasks of the proven Tornado. But it's not just the number of new student pilots that is increasing: a total of 4,600 flight hours are planned for Tactical Air Force Squadron 73 "Steinhoff" in 2026. That's 200 hours more than this year - depending on the weather conditions. But don't worry, there's no need to make too much noise about it, because intensifying pilot training doesn't necessarily mean an increase in flying activities.

Modernization measures and simulators

Extensive modernization measures are also underway in Laage. These are expected to cost a total of around one billion euros by 2040. The training itself doesn't just take place in the air. The base has four simulators in which the student pilots complete around two thirds of their training. This is particularly efficient and enables undisturbed learning without the typical external conditions. Eurofighter pilots from the Air Force and the Austrian Armed Forces are also trained here.

However, the path to becoming a pilot is anything but easy. Applicants have to go through a strict selection process that includes several stages. Loud Wikipedia It all starts with the aptitude test in Cologne. There the physical and psychological suitability of the applicants is tested. Once this first hurdle has been overcome, we continue with extensive medical examinations and aptitude tests, which are linked to practical exercises in the simulator.

Once a pilot – always a pilot

The training itself includes several phases, including an intensive course in navigation and aerodynamics. Eurofighter pilots learn everything they need for their service here. And there is another big plus point: During the training, the candidates receive their full salary right from the start. This is not the case everywhere and makes the Bundeswehr an attractive alternative for young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who want to benefit from the diverse career opportunities and varied challenges.

The pilot training required is not just limited to the Air Force. The Bundeswehr also offers attractive prospects for helicopter and transport aircraft pilots. And those who successfully master the rigors of training have excellent career opportunities after their service, supported by programs for professional integration or starting a business. So flying doesn't just stay in the air for a while, but opens up possibilities for a whole life.

In the background is a well-thought-out system that meets the requirements of modern military service. This system ensures that the Bundeswehr can continue to be at the forefront of aviation in the future. How Pilottraining.net explains, Air Force pilots not only have to be physically fit, but also mentally stable and resilient. This is a challenge that should not be underestimated.

The Air Force will continue to be an important part of Germany's and Europe's security policy, and the base in Laage plays a central role in this. We can't wait to see what developments will look like in the coming years!