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}

The graduation ceremony for the specialists from Slovak aeronautical radio navigation service was held on the premises of the Multinational Aviation Training Centre (MATC) on Friday, November 12, 2021.

The MATC Airworthiness Officer awarded 7 successful course graduates with certificates and congratulated them on the results achieved.

All courses were hold in Czech language and were tailored to the requirements of Slovak Air Forces Military. The lectors of the Military Academy of Vyškov educated  these courses with focus on ILS (Instrument Landing System) and DME (Distance Measuring Equipment).

The RL-4AM radiolocator course was extended to familization with radiolocator RL-2000.

Written by PJ

After a long break caused by circumstances around Covid-19 illness, MATC successfully coordinated another run of a tactical simulated training for tactical pilots and C2/GCIs in the Tactical Simulation Centre (TSC), Pardubice AB, Czech Republic in the term 12-16 July 2021. The training was focused again on the Counter Air Operations (CAO) training in peace, crises and wartime. A multinational training audience was assembled of both rookies and experienced pilots and C2/GCIs from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia. The training was exceptionally well-supported by assistance of Subject-Matter Experts (SME) from the Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) from Albacete, Spain, and the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) from Kalkar, Germany.

The MATC CAO Tactical Simulated Training is a specific training based on NATO standards, which reflects all required training needed for NATINAMDS/QRA pilots and C2/GCIs. The Training contributes significantly to the regional and NATO interoperability. The regional interoperability is enhanced by this kind of training by providing opportunity for pilots and C2/GCIs to train and interact in international environment during cross-border operations. The greatest benefit of this training is secured by the support of TLP and JAPCC specialists, who contribute to both Academic and Practical phase of this training.

MATC plans to run this kind of training, which would be focused on Counter Air OPS (AP, DCA, BVR tactics), again for second half of this year in the TSC Pardubice AB, Czech Republic.

^{Written by PŠ}

In the term 7-11 October 2019 MATC coordinated another run of tactical simulated training for tactical pilots and C2/GCIs in Tactical Simulation Center (TSC), Pardubice AB, the Czech Republic. The training was focused again on the Counter Air Operations (CAO) training in peace, crises and wartime. The multinational training audience was blended of both roockies and experienced pilots and C2/GCIs from the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary and Slovakia. The training was supported, as the previous one, by assistance of Tactical Leadership Programme (TLP) Subject-Matter Experts (SME) from Albacete, Spain.

The MATC CAO tactical simulated training is a specific training based on NATO standards, which reflects all required training needed for NATINAMDS/QRA pilots and C2/GCIs. The Training contributes significantly to the NATO interoperability. We can also mention “The regional interoperability”, because such kind of training provides opportunity for pilots and C2/GCIs to train and interact in cross-border operations. The greatest benefit of this training is the support of TLP specialists, who contributed to both Academic and Practical phase of it.

MATC plans two runs of such training, which would be focused on Counter Air OPS (AP, DCA, BVR tactics) again, for second half of 2020 in TSC Pardubice AB, the Czech Republic.

Written by JD

The second Basic Course for UAV pilot-operators facilitated by the University of Defence Brno, Czech Republic in term 01-19 OCT 2018 has been successfully finished. The Course attended thirteen recruited UAV pilot-operators from Czech and Slovak armed forces under coordination of the MATC. Trainees were educated in the field of basics of aviation and airworthiness and the management and use of airspace. Trainees obtained certificates from the University of Defence Brno and the MATC representatives on the last day of the Course. The next course for UAV pilots is planned for the year 2019 as well.

Written by PŠ

The graduation ceremony has ended successfully completed the first Operational Language Course for Unmanned Aerial System Pilot operators and Mission commanders (OELC-UAS PO/MS-1) on 14^th June 2019. This course has met the need for training of the specialized operational language, which was identified from experiences during coalition cooperation. Czech Army strains to reach interoperability in many areas and this new capability is one of the important ones.

MATC has organized OELC-UAS PO/MS Course in cooperation with Czech Army UAS representative, and it was tailored on demand together with HTP Ostrava CZ. This Training Provider has prepared syllabus in coordination with MATC based on standardized regulation under the guidance of English native speaking specialists/instructors. This course has also the unique benefit of the possibility to use the HTP tactical simulator to train the correct and timely use of key phrases under situation pressure during tactical scenarios.

MATC participants were informed about this training during the preparation stage and were asked to consider participation to train their own specialists in a beneficial international environment.
MATC also has been asked to try to investigate funding possibilities, which finally resulted in success via an agreement with MHI Fund to use MHI/CZE budget to cover this training.
Ability to use standardized English terminology is perceived as a crucial element during the training of a UAS Pilot operator/Sensor operator/Mission commander. It is also an inevitable step on the way to gain standardized operational capability of Czech UAS aircrews, thus to gain interoperability.
MATC and participating parties consider that this course has proven the concept which could be incorporated into regular training of UAS aircrews and possibly also as annual regular training. The next course is planned for October 2019 with a multinational audience.

 Written by PS

After the positive experiences of the air force members of OS SR, special forces OS SR were trained in the Velitelství Výcviku – Vojenská Akademie in Vyškov premises this time. In the period 23 – 26 April 2019 nine participants completed course – Personnel Recovery Point of Contact. The course was focused on planning and organizing recovery operations. It was performed only on a theoretical level, without practical field training.

 Written by JB