Is Hawk 128 "yesterday's jet"?

(Urban Fredriksson) wrote in message ...
In article ,
Jim Brown wrote:

Ok I'm just an armchair pilot but considering the big step up between
a trainer jet of any description and a front line jet, why not do away
with fast jet trainers totally?

Good question. One can also point out that there's not
really any need for propeller trainers since it's quite
feasible to start the pilot training on something like a
Hawk which _may_ make economic sense as the fewer types
you train someone on, the fewer total hours are needed.

Initial training could be completed on
something like a PC-21 which is claimed to replicate a fast jet
trainer in everything but speed and then the trainee pilots can
continue training on two seater versions of whatever frontline jet
they'll be flying.

I agree. A trend towards fewer types used in training
should make sense, but I don't see it globally. Reasons
include tradition and the baggage air forces carry in the
form of aircraft they already own.


Didn't the Swedish air force once have the idea that the Gripen would
be used for initial flying training as well, and thus replace the saab
105 in that role?
I read that somewhere sometime...