It takes decades to train pilots like Colonel Tran Quang Khai.

"Training a pilot is difficult, training them to a higher level, to use modern equipment, weapons, and aircraft like the Su-30MK2 is even more difficult," Lieutenant General Pham Tuan shared.

- In recent days, the whole country has been shocked by the double accident with the Su-30MK2 and CASA-212 aircraft, as well as the sacrifice of Colonel Tran Quang Khai. After many years of service in the air force, how do you feel?

- This is a huge loss for the air force, especially when two accidents happen in a row. I'm not talking about how much the plane costs, an expensive one like the Su-30 can still be bought, but a first-class pilot sacrificed and 9 comrades missing, it must be said that it is extremely painful and everyone is anxiously waiting for news. People are the most valuable asset of the army. This accident happened in the context of the country mobilizing millions of people to participate in protecting the sea and islands, the situation gives us more problems to think about together.

According to Lieutenant General Pham Tuan, pilots are considered "engineers of many fields" and training a level 1 fighter pilot takes decades.

- What are the standards to become a fighter pilot?

- It's not because I used to be a pilot that I put my career in such a high position. But it's true that training a pilot is difficult, and training them to a higher level, to be able to use modern equipment, weapons, and aircraft like the Su-30MK2 is even more difficult.

To become a pilot, a soldier must have all-round qualities. Health is important but not enough, it is also necessary to understand and grasp the operation of aircraft, engines, be sensitive to handling situations in the air, not to mention extremely stable psychological and nervous factors. As in training and especially in combat, many factors come into play when the pilot has to control the aircraft, observe the enemy, assess the situation and make determination to carry out the mission.

There are students who are very good at theory, but when it comes to actually flying a plane, they cannot because they cannot feel the speed, the direction of movement, especially when landing at the airport, touching down, and running the plane on the runway... All of these require a sharp sense of the pilot. It can be said that fighter pilots are "engineers of many fields", with comprehensive knowledge of weapons, missiles, radar, communications, aircraft engines...

In the past, out of 100 people trained, only a few dozen passed the test and became pilots. Nowadays, the means to support pilot training are better, but the human factor is still the most important. A high school, or even a district, can only select a few people to train as pilots. Next is a very elaborate training process in both the school and the unit.

In particular, all air force unit commanders must be pilots, from the military branch, division, regiment, and company levels. Because only by knowing them can you understand pilots and organize training and education for the next generation.

Spinning like a propeller on a rotating wheel is a pilot's daily practice.

- How long does it take to train a first-class fighter pilot?

- There are 3 levels of pilots. Level 3 is the lowest. After graduating from school and having more flying hours, you can become a level 3 pilot. This level can fly during the day and in the clouds. Level 2 pilots can fly day and night. Level 1 pilots can fly in any kind of weather: day, night, on land, at sea, in all weather.

To fly like the two pilots on the Su-30MK2 that just crashed, especially a level 1 pilot like Mr. Khai, takes many years. Studying in school for 4-5 years, then training in the unit step by step from level 3, to level 2 and then to level 1. For us, the conditions do not allow for training as quickly as in advanced countries, so it takes decades or longer to become a level 1 pilot.

During our time, due to the war, we often "skipped the process", studying in the Soviet Union and then flying at night. In theory, pilots must be proficient in daytime flying before being allowed to fly at night, but wartime requirements did not allow for that much time.

There is no other profession as special as a pilot. If you are a driver, you can take a month or a year off and still be able to fly again. But flying is different. A level 3 pilot only needs to take about 15 days off. Before flying again, the teacher must check and make sure that he has not forgotten the knowledge before he can fly again. This means that pilots must fly continuously. If they take a leave or go somewhere for a long time, they must "review", pass the teacher's knowledge tests, and regain the feeling of flying before they can continue flying.

- As a former Deputy Commander of the Air Force, how do you assess the complexity of rescue operations at sea?

- Aircraft are tracked by radar and communication systems when performing missions. We can know the approximate position of the aircraft, but the situation on the ground has potential complications.

In conditions of big waves, strong winds, rough seas, the pilot's lifebuoy is very small, finding people is never easy. The history of aviation accidents in the world has shown this, we are not saying it ourselves.Just a slight deviation in coordinates, or a change in ocean currents and wind direction… can cause the victim to drift away, making it very difficult to find.

Su-30MK2 aircraft number 8585 crashed on the morning of June 14. Photo: Vietnam Defense Channel.

- Some analysis from the community suggests that there was an external impact that caused the CASA-212 and Su-30MK2 aircraft to crash. What do you think about this information?

- Many people have asked me this question. First of all, scientifically, until the black box of the plane has been found and the data has not been analyzed, all comments and assessments have no solid basis. We should not be influenced by information that has no scientific basis, but should wait for the conclusion from the competent authorities.

Someone asked me if outsiders use electronic jamming on our aircraft. I immediately said no, electronic jamming is only to interfere with ground radar or electronic and communication equipment, but cannot interfere and then damage the aircraft's control system. The aircraft is controlled by the pilot, suppose there is a modern device that interferes with some electronic system, the pilot can immediately turn off this system and control the aircraft normally.

Many people also gave other reasons, I answered no, because the plane was flying in our waters, under our sovereignty and control.

- How does the consecutive crashes of two modern aircraft affect the team of fighter pilots?

- We are pilots, always confident when taking off into the sky. The confidence of a pilot is very great. Pilots are educated and trained very carefully, not only the pilots but also the team of mechanics and technicians. During wartime, we shot down many enemy planes but also suffered losses. Sometimes we saw planes crash, comrades sacrificed right in front of us, but the next day we still flew and fought as usual.

I think that pilots, whether in war or peacetime, always have a strong will. Love for the homeland, country, comradeship and teammates are always the driving force that urges us to fly in the sky of the fatherland.

There are two important factors for a pilot: will and ability to master equipment, weapons, and techniques. Of course, after an accident, we need to clarify the cause to learn from experience.

According to VNE