Sources say about 16,000 people signed up in the annual pilot recruitment drive, and among those who have passed the tests to become pilot cadets, nearly half will be trained to fly aircraft in the coming years.
“In the past, most Navy Aviation Force pilot cadets were trained to fly ground-based fighter jets and bombers,” Li Jie, a Beijing-based naval expert, told the Global Times.
But more pilots are needed to meet China’s ambitions in aircraft carrier development, as the country could operate three or more aircraft carriers in the near future.
Chu Hanqiang, director of the PLA Navy Pilot Recruitment Office, was quoted as saying in the report that 49% of the enrolled candidates will become aircraft carrier-based fighter jet pilot cadets, and this should satisfy the development of aircraft carriers.
asiatimes.com/2020/08/wanted-chinese-navy-pilots-with-the-right-stuff/
AT