The F-16 pilot training program for the Argentine Air Force will be conducted by the private company Top Aces under a $33.2 million contract. This has made the training plan publicly available in detail, including the duration of each phase. Since Argentina received the same Danish F-16 aircraft as Ukraine, the comparison is especially relevant.
The plan was published by Zona Militar. From Defense Express, it is worth noting that the program aligns with the standard U.S. Air Force training course, the general framework of which has been known since 2022. This suggests that Top Aces did not introduce any fundamentally new approach.
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The first stage is the Basic Course (B-course). During this phase, future fighter pilots gain core knowledge of the aircraft, its systems, components, and procedures, as well as basic maneuvers. This stage lasts from 6 to 9 months. During this time, trainees complete 50 to 60 simulator sessions and begin flying with an instructor, accumulating 80 to 100 flight hours.
At the end of the basic course, the pilot completes a solo flight and conducts live-fire training. After that, they receive the status of a qualified but not fully combat-ready pilot.
The next stage is Mission Qualification Training (MQT). During this phase, the pilot learns to operate the F-16 as a weapons system in specific operational conditions. This stage lasts 3 to 4 months and includes 20 to 30 flight hours. Training covers beyond-visual-range air combat, the use of precision-guided weapons, aerial refueling, and other key skills.
Only after completing MQT does the pilot receive combat-ready status. This allows integration into a squadron and participation in real missions as a wingman under the supervision of an experienced commander.
In total, the standard program for a pilot with prior flight experience to become a combat-ready F-16 pilot takes from 9 to 15 months.
As a reminder, according to available data, the first four Ukrainian pilots began F-16 training in late October 2023. The program was scheduled to last until May 2024, spanning approximately six months. The first F-16s arrived in Ukraine no later than August 4, 2024, when they were officially presented. This suggests that the training lasted no more than eight months.
It should be noted that F-16 pilot training does not end there. The next stage, which some Ukrainian pilots have likely already completed, is the Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG) course. It is designed for pilots with 300 to 500 flight hours on the F-16 and lasts two months. The program focuses on leading formations of two to four aircraft, decision-making under stress, and communication management. Completion results in certification.
The final stage is the Instructor Pilot Upgrade (IP). Requirements include 500 to 700 flight hours, proven analytical skills, a high level of technical knowledge, and strong individual proficiency. This phase lasts an additional 3 to 4 months.
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