AFM has three new helicopter pilots

Three men of the Armed Forces of Malta's Air Squadron have been awarded their pilot wings.

Bombardier Oliver Bennett, Gunner Reuben Demicoli and Gunner Mark Cassar were presented with their pilot wings by AFM Commander, Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, at a ceremony at the Air Squadron last Monday.

The soldiers recently completed an ab initio helicopter pilot training course at the Air Squadron, following a thorough pilot candidate selection process from within the AFM's ranks.

The men then underwent ground schooling which covered diverse topics including meteorology, law and navigation. Flight training consisted of 60 hours' flight time on the Air Squadron's Bell-47G2 helicopter, under the guidance of instructor pilots Major Joseph Abdilla and Staff Sergeant Angelique Galea.

They then sat a theoretical and practical examination on the Bell-47G2 helicopter, conducted by Italian Air Force flight examiner Colonel Oreste Basso from the Commando Generale della Scuole.

Italian Military Mission Commander Colonel Salvatore Fadda, 2nd Regiment Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Harold Stivala, Air Squadron personnel and the new pilots' relatives attended the ceremony.