Raider 21
Think Tank Analyst
- Feb 18, 2016
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That is well defined by the nature of the professional architecture regarding flying ops and logging of hours within PAF.Pilot and airframe rotation.
It is an average of 240 hours - going from novice to most experienced it varies. Same for the IAF.
JF-17 block 1s have hit nearly 4k hours but mix of rebuilds has extended it but no SLEP announcement was made. Because kamra can support pretty much everything needed for a SLEP or total rebuild they are pretty “abused” airframes.
Left in the sun, put through flight hours with relative abandon. There is NDT, rebuild analysis done at Kamra - wing spars replaced etc.
The PAF would not make that judgement if it did not have a way to either exceed or manage those 4000 hours beyond(which are actually conservative guidelines provided for export purposes). But, since we don’t have a CAG no true way to verify beyond living room talk or whatever they release publicly. @Talon
The F-16 on the other hand is rationed very well - kept climate controlled in many cases / spares run through a purpose built logging system in coordination with GD/USAF(publication is available) - yet does have certain airframes slated for retirement earlier than others.
F-7PG pilots averaged 220 during some peak exercises but they dont go as high as 240.
Mirages also average flight hours pretty differently, the ROSE get less hours than the other airframes which are used to maintain hours and currency.
During certain exercises certain rookie CCS pilots were hitting higher numbers and were drained out to dangerous levels. Then more physiological and psychological training/conditioning was introduced.
Unfortunately lately, the hours haven't been as high as they used to be on average. Higher than Indians but not as high as where Paks were at.
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