The MATC training conference took place on April 9-11, 2024, at the helicopter base in Prešov, hosted by the Slovak Republic. The invitation to this event was accepted by all MATC member states, so more than 20 representatives of the training branches attended. The MATC Training leader and acting Director LtCol. Ladislav Zajíček also confirmed the importance of the large participation: “It is an excellent opportunity to not only present the plans for the development of joint training from the MATC directorate perspective, but also to receive direct feedback from the member states”.

The conference was thematically adapted to the locality of the event, so all discussions were on the topic of helicopter aviation – flying in a mountainous environment, Bambi Bucket operation, aerial shooting and training of door gunners, etc.

The event was reflected very positively by all attendees. It is best described by the statement of one of the participants: “Even if it would not be possible to implement any training from the content of this conference, this meeting is still of great importance in the form of mutual information sharing and getting to know each other.”

The 51^st wing of Prešov deserves a big thank you for creating excellent conditions for the conference. Acknowledgment also belongs to the conference participants for their active approach. The MATC Training leader concludes that this event holds a promise for the future and presents many opportunities for joint projects within MATC. These opportunities should be seized and developed together.

_{Written by LZ}

Based on the request of the Slovak side for synthetic flight training focused on the cooperation of multi-member helicopter crews in a military environment, the MTCC (Military Tactical Crew Cooperation) course was implemented in early October 2023.

The training itself took place at the HTP (Helicopter Training Point) in Ostrava under the leadership of the tactical training manager Ing. Ondřej Truxa in cooperation with members of MATC (Multinational Aviation Training Center). The course included an academic part, where doc. Ing. Ondřej Zavila, Ph.D. – a leading expert in the Czech Republic on the issue of flight safety from the VSB Technical University of Ostrava.

The helicopter crews thus received the necessary theoretical training, followed by practical flights on a flight simulator, where their abilities and communication skills were tested in the context of performing tasks in adverse weather conditions and solving emergency procedures. The next phase of training was focused on solving tactical scenarios during group flights of helicopters on a pair of tactical trainers.

Ten members of Slovak Air Force successfully managed a number of difficult situations and the experience they gained will definitely serve them in their future careers in the safe performance of their tasks.

_{Written by AK}

In cooperation with MATC, Slovak Air Force Communication, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) specialists attended two short-term courses provided by  „Odbor profesní přípravy“ – Vojenská Akademie Vyškov from 2nd to 13th October 2023.

The courses were specially tailored for SVK CNS specialists and held in the Czech language. The courses consisted of only academic parts, but the subsequent courses are planned with practical parts.

The training syllabuses and training procedures were executed in accordance with the procedures of Air Traffic Safety Electronic Personnel (ATSEP). The main emphasis was solving non-standard situations using a unique simulation device located on the premises of Training Command – Military Academy in Vyškov.

Slovak Air Force personnel had already taken part in similar courses, and the feedback from students and their lecturers had always been positive.  

Slovak representatives are interested in further cooperation, since other CNS courses are relevant for Slovak CNS personnel and can be taught in Vyškov. It is a primary surveillance radar RL-2000 maintenance course.

The Aviation and Airworthiness officer of MATC awarded 7 successful course graduates with certificates and congratulated them on their results.

_{Written by PJ}

The first training in 2023 under the auspices of MATC was focused on meteorological technical personnel. This training followed on the successful cooperation in this field from previous years. Based on the request of the Slovak side, 4 students from Slovakia were included in the course with a capacity of 10 people. The course took place from January 30 to February 17, 2023, first in Olomouc, then the participants moved to Prostějov for the practical part of the training.

MATC representatives visited the final phase of the course, in order to get feedback not only from the participants, but also from the lecturers and the course leader. On this occasion, MATC members had the opportunity to see and experience the activities associated with launching an aerial probe. In general, the response to the training was very positive, and further cooperation in this sector is already being prepared.

_{Written by LZ}