Aircrew training system in the Lithuanian military aviation in the period of 1919–1940

Šiame straipsnyje analizuojama Lietuvos karo aviacijos 1919– 1940 m. skraidančiojo personalo rengimo sistema. Siekiama nustatyti, kaip buvo rengiami lakūnai ir oro žvalgai, aptarti konceptualius rengimo sistemos pokyčius. Straipsnyje skraidančiojo personalo rengimo sistema analizuojama pagal autoriaus sudarytą analizės modelį, kurį sudaro trys pjūviai: atranka, rengimo pakopos ir programa bei rengimo priemonės ir jame dalyvavę kariai.The Lithuanian military aviation was established in 1919. It provided pilot and air reconnaissance training. Until 1940, the aircrew training system had been modified and improved several times for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Attempts to find the balance between the eligible candidates and the willing ones to become pilots were not successful until 1940. The Lithuanian military aviation failed to develop an efficient selection system. The comprehensive selection system consisted of regularly reviewed age and education censuses, test flight and physical fitness check. The latter became a key component of the selection in the period from 1917 to 1929. However, out of 10 candidates selected for pilot service, on average only 4–5 soldiers completed the initial training stage, whereas about a third were excluded as incompetent or lacking necessary skills for the aviation service during the first years of combat training. In the period from 1919 to 1928, the aircrew training was divided into two stages: short-term courses and individual training in a squadron. During this period, combat training was not standardized, it was based mainly on the experience of the pilots of the World War I. Up to 1928, it was not determined what knowledge and skills a pilot or an air scout must acquire having completed the whole training system. Both training levels completely depended on teachers of theoretical disciplines and flight instructors. Conceptual changes in the aircrew training system took place in 1929 when a three-level training system was established on the initiative of the Military Aviation Command. A transition to the three-level training system led to the institutional changes, i.e. the establishment of the Military Aviation School in 1932. Since 1934, the school focused on the basic theoretical and practical individual combat training for soldiers of all specializations necessary for the aviation service. In the period from 1929 to 1940, in addition to the first level of basic training, the second and third levels took place in squadrons. The standardization of the training programmes started in 1929 and were based on coherent training programmes. The three-level training system enabled the school to train the pilots of higher qualification. In the period of 1919–1940, 305 pilots and air scouts completed the first stage of training and continued their service in military aviation. However, the aircrew training system faced a constant challenge to meet the need of the aircrew personnel due to the withdrawal of trained soldiers from the military service. From 1927 to 1928, the effectiveness of the training system did not meet the needs of the military aviation as the number of pilots after the first stage of training was too small due to the poor selection. Starting from the turn of 1930, the effectiveness of the aircrew training started to increase annually and the necessary number of pilots and air scouts for the development of military aviation was ensured