Israeli Air Force Flight Academy

In order to prepare them as fighter pilots, in December 1950 a separate operational training squadron was established, flying the Supermarine Spitfire.

Consequently, potential Israeli pilots are identified prior to reporting for national service at age 18, based on factors such as high grades in school and top scores on standardized tests, excellent physical condition and high technical aptitude.

Those who meet these and other criteria are invited to participate in a six-day gibush (cohesion), a selection phase involving physical, mental, and sociometric challenges.

The prospective pilots are evaluated constantly, and the vast majority of those who begin flight training do not make it through the full program.

Those dropped from the course will either remain in the air force in a non-flying capacity, or transfer to an army unit.

Relatively few become fighter pilots (considered by many to be the most desirable assignment), while the remainder learn to fly helicopters, transport aircraft, or train as navigators.

[1] After a landmark 1994 High Court appeal by a Jewish immigrant from South Africa, Alice Miller, the Air Force was instructed to open its flight school to women.

[3] While Israeli Arabs may volunteer to serve in the IDF, it is unclear whether they can seek air force training.

At this phase, which lasts about six months, the cadets are divided into departments and acquire basic skills needed to fly aircraft.

The intensive academic year (not equivalent to regular university studies) consists of three semesters, of 13 weeks each.

The last phase of the course includes acquisition of advanced aircraft skills and finishing the academic studies.

Graduates receive at the end of this phase a lieutenant rank, a BA and an aircraft wings pin.

One of the graduates' final tasks is to act as the induction cadre for the next class of cadets arriving to begin their gibush, introducing them to military service via a series of punishing physical and mental challenges.

The graduation ceremony, at which the new pilots and navigators receive their wings insignia, is conducted in the presence of the cadets' families, senior government officials (frequently including the prime minister), as well as top air force and army leaders.