fatman17
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The information is updated till end 1988. i would request members to update the squadron information with current status, a/c, ops, squadron commanders etc.
No - 1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU)
After the introduction of chinese fighters in the PAF, there was a growing need to have a lead-in jet trainer to give the newly graduated pilots from the academy an introduction to chinese systems before they flew the F-6s. accordingly, the FT-5 aircraft was inducted to fulfill this requirement, and No1 FCU was established on 28th April 75 to train pilots for the F-6 - and later the A-5 - weapons systems. the FT-5s gradually took over most of the tasks of No2 FCU's T-33's which were reassigned target towing and other duties.
The unit started functioning at PAF Base Masroor, under the command of SL Ethisham Akram; in November it was shifted to PAF Base Mianwali. The conversion from American to Chinese training stream created its own demands; moreover, all the literature pertaining to the new aircraft was in chinese and the operating procedures had to be developed from scratch. This task was accomplished by the unit in an efficient manner, the Dash One being written by Flt/Lt's Sikandar, Rizwan and Zakaullah Khan; the check-list was compiled by Flt/Lt. Shams Noor-ul-Hasan.
The duration of a fighter conversion course was set at six months and initially 6 FT-5s were allocated to No1 FCU; this number was progressively increased to 25. Admin & Logistic support was provided by PAF Base Mianwali.
The unit had conducted a total of more than 22 courses upto 31 December 1987, starting with 59th GD(P) Course. to date, nearly 500 pilots have completed their training at No 1 FCU successfully, with four fatalities. in addition the unit has been regularly taking part in major command level excercises such as Jetstream, Lightening and Highmark.
Next: No 2 Squadron.
No - 1 Fighter Conversion Unit (FCU)
After the introduction of chinese fighters in the PAF, there was a growing need to have a lead-in jet trainer to give the newly graduated pilots from the academy an introduction to chinese systems before they flew the F-6s. accordingly, the FT-5 aircraft was inducted to fulfill this requirement, and No1 FCU was established on 28th April 75 to train pilots for the F-6 - and later the A-5 - weapons systems. the FT-5s gradually took over most of the tasks of No2 FCU's T-33's which were reassigned target towing and other duties.
The unit started functioning at PAF Base Masroor, under the command of SL Ethisham Akram; in November it was shifted to PAF Base Mianwali. The conversion from American to Chinese training stream created its own demands; moreover, all the literature pertaining to the new aircraft was in chinese and the operating procedures had to be developed from scratch. This task was accomplished by the unit in an efficient manner, the Dash One being written by Flt/Lt's Sikandar, Rizwan and Zakaullah Khan; the check-list was compiled by Flt/Lt. Shams Noor-ul-Hasan.
The duration of a fighter conversion course was set at six months and initially 6 FT-5s were allocated to No1 FCU; this number was progressively increased to 25. Admin & Logistic support was provided by PAF Base Mianwali.
The unit had conducted a total of more than 22 courses upto 31 December 1987, starting with 59th GD(P) Course. to date, nearly 500 pilots have completed their training at No 1 FCU successfully, with four fatalities. in addition the unit has been regularly taking part in major command level excercises such as Jetstream, Lightening and Highmark.
Next: No 2 Squadron.