Croatian Air Force Helicopter Pilots Mi-8 T Type Rating

The Mi 8 T Type Rating complements the respective technical course, and is intended to prepare transport helicopter pilots for flying missions with this particular type of helicopter.   

The “Zemunik” Barracks has over the past years hosted a series of helicopter crews’ training activities, among which the multinational helicopter crew pre-deployment training for ISAF and mountain flying training for the members of the Lithuanian Air Force.

At the national level, the crews provide support to the civilian community (e. g. emergency flights, search-and-rescue operations, aerial firefighting) and to other Croatian Armed Forces units. The Mi-8 T type rating is also necessary to prepare the flying personnel for the international peace operations (Kosovo and Afghanistan) where Croatian Air Force crews have been deployed to.

The Rating comprises basic, instrument and night flying, and is followed by advanced and targeted training on the Mi-8 MTV helicopters of the Transportation Helicopter Squadron of the “Divulje” Base in Split. At its completion, the trainees get qualified as the M1-8 TV co-pilots and carry out tactical and operations tasks of the Squadron.

The attendees include flight trainees graduated from the Bell 206-B helicopter type rating, flight instructors and a member of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dražen Matijević, for whom this programme is the last phase of the Air training at the Base.

The Rating Administrator is Maj. Boris Rebić, flight instructor of the Transport Helicopter Squadron of the 93rd Air Force Base.