By Liu Jimei and Yu Hongchun
Newly enrolled pilot cadets attend the send-off ceremony at a military airport in Chengdu on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)
BEIJING, July 20 -- The PLA Air Force's pilot recruitment campaign registered a new record in enrollment in 2023. Moreover, the quality of recruitment has also been improved.
The source of students is diversified. This year's enrollment is composed of pilot cadets from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China.
Thanks to the upgraded examination equipment and test methods, which helped select out those with excellent physical and psychological conditions, the proportion of cadets that meet the physical standard for fighter pilots has increased notably. And 95% of them are rated as excellent or above in terms of potential to become qualified pilots.
To boost their sense of pride, the new cadets have been flown from five cities across the country, i.e. Shijiazhuang, Jinan, Nanjing, Changsha and Chengdu, to the Aviation University of the Air Force in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, aboard Y-20 transport aircraft on Wednesday and Thursday.
In recent years, the Chinese air force has continuously improved relevant selection and evaluation systems, modes and mechanisms to enhance physical fitness and flying potential inspection on pilots. It has also strengthened joint talent training with Peking University, Tsinghua University and Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and made sustained efforts to promote the education quality and effectiveness of youth aviation schools.
Newly enrolled pilot cadets run past the championship trophies for ace pilots, "Golden Helmet" and Aviadarts", at a military airport in Chengdu on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)
Newly enrolled pilot cadets board the plane at a military airport in Chengdu on July 19, 2023. (Photo by Yu Hongchun/Xinhua)