This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8491858.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Back to the classroom for Afghan helicopter pilots Back to the classroom for Afghan helicopter pilots
(2 days later)
By Martin Patience BBC News, Kabul Many of the helicopter pilots have not received any training since the 1980sBy Martin Patience BBC News, Kabul Many of the helicopter pilots have not received any training since the 1980s
In a small classroom 20 or so men, all middle-aged and most sporting moustaches, pored over their textbooks.In a small classroom 20 or so men, all middle-aged and most sporting moustaches, pored over their textbooks.
One of the men read aloud: "The beach ball is bigger than a base ball."One of the men read aloud: "The beach ball is bigger than a base ball."
They would not immediately strike you as the most likely English students.They would not immediately strike you as the most likely English students.
In fact, they were ace Afghan pilots with decades of flying experience among them.In fact, they were ace Afghan pilots with decades of flying experience among them.
But they were now back in the classroom for the first time since their youth, learning how to read manuals for the helicopters they have flown for years.But they were now back in the classroom for the first time since their youth, learning how to read manuals for the helicopters they have flown for years.
And under the watchful eye of an American tutor, pilots who once relied upon their raw instincts also learned the mechanics behind their aircraft.And under the watchful eye of an American tutor, pilots who once relied upon their raw instincts also learned the mechanics behind their aircraft.
When they get in the clouds or the dust and they can't see anything - they don't have any training in that Col Curtis Wickers When they get in the clouds or the dust and they can't see anything - they don't have any training in that Col Curtis Wichers
The men represent the cream of the Afghan military but elsewhere America is struggling to create a disciplined and modern force.The men represent the cream of the Afghan military but elsewhere America is struggling to create a disciplined and modern force.
Most of the pilots were trained by the Russians in the early 1980s to fight against the mujahideen, who were trying to topple the Russian-backed regime in Kabul at that time.Most of the pilots were trained by the Russians in the early 1980s to fight against the mujahideen, who were trying to topple the Russian-backed regime in Kabul at that time.
But many have not received any training since that period.But many have not received any training since that period.
"They are outstanding visual pilots," said Col Curtis Wickers, one of the American trainers. "They are outstanding visual pilots," said Col Curtis Wichers, one of the American trainers.
"You tell them to go anywhere in the country outside the clouds and during the day - and they'll amaze you - they're fantastic pilots.""You tell them to go anywhere in the country outside the clouds and during the day - and they'll amaze you - they're fantastic pilots."
"But when they get in the clouds or the dust and they can't see anything - they don't have any training in that.""But when they get in the clouds or the dust and they can't see anything - they don't have any training in that."
Troop transportTroop transport
Flying in the Russian built helicopter, two of the Afghan pilots took turns at the control. Col Curtis sat beside them in the cockpit and was ready to take over in a moment if something went wrong.Flying in the Russian built helicopter, two of the Afghan pilots took turns at the control. Col Curtis sat beside them in the cockpit and was ready to take over in a moment if something went wrong.
They flew to a deserted helicopter pad 30km east of the city where they practised landings for two hours with the engine switched off. It was to simulate what would happen if the engine had been disabled by gunfire.They flew to a deserted helicopter pad 30km east of the city where they practised landings for two hours with the engine switched off. It was to simulate what would happen if the engine had been disabled by gunfire.
Pilots are having to learn the theory behind the practice of flying helicoptersPilots are having to learn the theory behind the practice of flying helicopters
That training is crucial as the Afghan pilots know better than most.That training is crucial as the Afghan pilots know better than most.
Afghan pilot Abdul Tawab's helicopter was shot down in the early 1980s.Afghan pilot Abdul Tawab's helicopter was shot down in the early 1980s.
"I was on a mission flying soldiers to the east of the country when my helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade," he said."I was on a mission flying soldiers to the east of the country when my helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade," he said.
"I was then captured and held by a group for eight years before being freed.""I was then captured and held by a group for eight years before being freed."
To have an effective fighting force here you need helicopters to ferry troops around this rugged and mountainous country.To have an effective fighting force here you need helicopters to ferry troops around this rugged and mountainous country.
That is why training the Afghan air force is crucial, if international forces are to leave.That is why training the Afghan air force is crucial, if international forces are to leave.
Much has made been made of the need for Afghan soldiers to take a greater role in providing security.Much has made been made of the need for Afghan soldiers to take a greater role in providing security.
The Afghan Defence Minister General Rahim Wardak says progress is being made.The Afghan Defence Minister General Rahim Wardak says progress is being made.
The pilots practised landings with the helicopter engines switched offThe pilots practised landings with the helicopter engines switched off
"I think that in four or five years we will be in very good shape," he said, talking about the Afghan security forces."I think that in four or five years we will be in very good shape," he said, talking about the Afghan security forces.
"And I hope that by then the drawdown of the international forces will have commenced.""And I hope that by then the drawdown of the international forces will have commenced."
The West has already said that it wants at least some of its troops out even sooner than that and control to be handed to Afghans.The West has already said that it wants at least some of its troops out even sooner than that and control to be handed to Afghans.
But it is a huge challenge training soldiers, officers and pilots, in a country where even the best are left struggling.But it is a huge challenge training soldiers, officers and pilots, in a country where even the best are left struggling.