Military of China, force comment.
Military of China, force comment.

reconnaissance Helicopter echelon figures led the lead plane Yuan Jichang

Biography: Yuan Jichang, led the lead aircraft reconnaissance helicopter echelon.

Xinhua Military: Army Aviation as an old pilot, to participate in the National Day parade feel?

Yuanji Chang: I am soon 53 years old, flew to participate by reading this yourself, should be the National Day military parade by the reading of the air echelon of the oldest. Army Aviation is now a fast-growing branches of the military in recent years added a lot of new models, but the size of the military parade is also great. I participate in the parade, but also for encouraging many young pilots of Army aviation, to teach them some experience, in addition to guide the organization to ensure flight safety, emergency handling, etc., I, as an old army aviation pilots, is imperative. Meanwhile, in the implementation of tasks, leading cadres take the lead, the first charge, which is a traditional army aviation units. In addition, the Army Aviation and Air Force troops are not the same, the Air Force pilots to my age it is generally grounded, Army aviation flying can fly.

my flying career has been 33 years, after graduating from flight school, I came to the helicopter unit. From the pilot, squadron commander, captain to the head, then Minister of Aviation Training Academy, Army Aviation, Deputy Minister, I’m one step by step from the Army Aviation grass roots to grow up. Army Aviation training, management, teaching, etc., I have some experience and research. From himself, the pressure to participate in the parade is the main flight safety, the only flying I fly, but also to the entire fleet to take care of the situation in the distribution of attention is a need to focus on the issue.

Xinhua Military: Wenchuan earthquake, the people are very concerned about our military forces army aviation, helicopter unit building, you can an old person’s point of view to talk about what airmen?

Yuan Jichang: army aviation in modern warfare, the role of other arms can not be substituted. Army Aviation helicopter is the main equipment. First used during World War II U.S. Army helicopters. After several years of development, the Western developed countries, Army Aviation has grown to a considerable scale. In 1985, millions of Chinese military in the context of disarmament, the establishment of Army aviation units, and it has been 24 years. Especially over the past decade, Chinese army aviation unit has achieved a very significant development. In combat, the Army Aviation from the previous transport-based, into the main attack; not only have a ground attack capability, it also has a helicopter air combat and night fighting capabilities; from the style, but also covers the mountain combat plateau combat, urban fighting terrorism, and other forms of desert warfare.

now the Chinese army is also facing a new stage of transformation; and Army Aviation is an important symbol of the transformation of the Army. If the Army from mechanization to the “flight” of development is a trend, then there is no Army Aviation is impossible. “One tree high” low altitude, “the fifth space,” Army Aviation in the fire and can give full play to great advantage on maneuverability. Army’s offensive and defensive area is also greatly enhanced. I the development of Army Aviation is full of confidence.

Xinhua Military: Army Aviation restricting the development of China’s short-board that?

Yuanji Chang: The constraints of the short board is an objective reality. First of all, from the traditional thinking on how to convert them. For example, under certain conditions reconnaissance helicopters to replace the traditional role of reconnaissance, more effective and efficient.

Secondly, from the 1950s China began to develop the helicopter, ups and downs, and take some detours. At present, China is still relatively weak industrial base, some of the core technology is blank helicopter, part of the materials and processes reach the advanced level. This is affecting our military Army Aviation a key factor in the development of equipment. Today, China is accelerating the research and development. I believe the future of China’s helicopter industry to catch up with the world advanced level. Xinhua military: You probably flew all models of Army aviation, right?

Yuanji Chang: Yes, our military army aviation helicopter I can fly. Not much feel the same. Some of the helicopter itself, the production quality is very good, some very good helicopter handling qualities, while others are very stable. And my understanding of the status quo of foreign military forces army aviation, I have also visited South Korea visit, France and other countries. For example, in Korea, I had their Lu Hangfei line driving simulator; in France, I visited the “gazelle”, “Dolphin” helicopters, etc., I feel much the same operation, but the French side is more excellent helicopter technology of some.

in Army Aviation, gunship helicopters and transport drivers are also different requirements for pilots. Because driving gunship pilots able to make some of the special needs of the flying. This requires the pilot “came out on top,” more responsive, more accurate control, determination and more decisive. Sometimes pilots at low altitude will make some difficult stunts, fast-moving ground scenery, the pilot’s mental stimulation is quite large. But the Army Aviation as a pilot, the flight will often difficult to get from the psychological satisfaction. When the pilots armed helicopters, missiles, rockets hitting the target, the heart of pride wells up. These can be fun flying it.

Xinhua Military: view from your contacts, your young pilot assessment?

Yuan Jichang: Army Aviation pilots now, young people under the age of 35 have accounted for the majority. For helicopter pilots, 35 years of age can be said to be very young. The 35-year-old to 45 years old, is a helicopter pilot in prime time. Because of this period, the pilot’s physical, psychological, technical, theoretical and other aspects of mature, all-weather, weather conditions complicated the ability to perform tasks and more prominent. Develop a mature, to serve as captain of the helicopter pilots, we need a process. This will further increase the need for Army Aviation training, temper the young pilot. Now the pilots of these military parade, a group in the future should be the National Day military parade in 70 years echelon.

Xinhua military: The first time you become the captain what time?

Yuanji Chang: I am 77 years assigned to military aviation school graduate, served as captain six years later, 1983, age 26 years old. I was younger than me to lead the two pilots, helicopter transitions and implementation of complex cross-weather training. To become a helicopter captain, the requirement is very high. First, the political ideology should be excellent, to obey orders to listen to the command; second, flight theory, the high level of technology, the equipment is very understanding, especially skilled pilot; third, psychological well; fourth, good interpersonal coordination capacity.

Xinhua Military: Can you describe what your day’s work flow?

Yuan Jichang: 5:30 get up 5:50 rice separately, 6:30 outfield, 7 pm flight. 10:30 fly back, but also to prepare the afternoon flight. 14 o’clock in the afternoon, fly open again until 16:00. Came back the next day also need to prepare the flight plan. The squadron also be discussed at the ground joint training. After dinner, physical exercise one hour. Is to return to quarters, but also read dozens of troops documents, and strive to break 23:30. Because the pilot to ensure that more than 8 hours a day of sleep. (Interview by Xinhua military correspondent Zheng Wenhao)

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