On January 18, the "People's Liberation Army Daily" published an article entitled "Flying on the Mission Route of the "First" -- Remembering Li Ling, Brigade Commander of a Certain Brigade of the Air Force Aviation Corps and Special Pilot of the Air Force." The article introduces:
As an excellent pilot who grew up from this ace unit, Li Ling flew a variety of aircraft types, won the "Golden Helmet" once, and won the second class of personal merit 3 times. His unit has completed a number of major tasks, winning the first place in the Air Force Against Air Combat Group 5 times and winning the "Golden Helmet" 5 times. In July 2019, the brigade's flying brigade was awarded the honorary title of "Strong Army Pioneer Flying Brigade" by the Central Military Commission, and President Xi Jinping personally presented them with the award flag.
On January 10, Li Ling flew a plane to participate in air combat confrontation training (video screenshot). Yang Panzhao
So, many readers want to know: what is a "special pilot"? What are the pilots' levels? What about the "Golden Helmet"?
In the 1950s, the Chinese People's Liberation Army Air Force had implemented a flight grade system, when the flight level was divided into three grades and nine grades, the flight grade system did not have the corresponding badges and certificates as it is now, there was no unified measurement standard for the operational technology of flight personnel, there was no rating according to the level of technology, and it was not long before it was abolished in the mid-1950s.
After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, in order to adapt to the new situation in the construction of the air force after the reform and opening up and to do a good job in the construction of the contingent of flight personnel, in December 1984, the Central Military Commission approved the "Interim Measures on Establishing a Flight Hierarchy System in Aviation Units, Restoring Flight Allowances, and Determining the Maximum Age of Flight Personnel", referred to as the "Three Systems", which was implemented in the Air Force Aviation Unit from January 1, 1985, and then the Naval Aviation and Army Aviation Units also implemented this system.
The newly implemented flight level system is a comprehensive assessment of the professional ability and quality of flight personnel based on the level of flight technology and tactics, ensuring flight safety, completing tasks and total flight time, and is divided into special, first, second and third levels. They are called special pilots (navigators, communication shooters, communicators, shooters, flight instructors, the same below), first-class pilots, second-level pilots, and third-level pilots. Among them, each level is subdivided into three to four gears, and the fourth level is subdivided into fourteen gears, and each grade corresponds to a different subsidy subsidy standard, that is, the flight level subsidy.
Flight grants include flight class allowances and flight hour allowances. At the same time, according to the characteristics of fighters, strikers, bombers, transport aircraft, and helicopter flight personnel, the system of the maximum flight age of flight personnel has been determined.
The implementation of these three systems will further arouse the enthusiasm of flight personnel, improve the technical and tactical level of flight personnel and the combat effectiveness of air force units.
From August 1, 2012, Air Force pilots and naval aviation and Army aviation pilots will wear uniform flight level badges when wearing dresses and regular clothes. Wear in the center position 5 mm above the Seniority Badge.
From top to bottom, from left to right, they are: Flight Special Badge, Flight Grade I Badge, Flight Grade II Badge, and Flight Grade III Badge
The flight level badge is the flight level certificate of the flight personnel, which is a symbol of mission, honor and responsibility. Most national flight crews are equipped with rank badges. Our army's flight level badge is composed of the "Bayi" five-pointed star, the olive leaf garland, the eagle wing, the shield, the Great Wall and the rank and professional symbols.
The five-pointed star of "August 1st" symbolizes the people's army led by the Communist Party; the garland of olive leaves symbolizes the determination to fight for peace; the eagle wing symbolizes flight; the shield symbolizes the strength of defense; and the Great Wall symbolizes the solid national defense of the Chinese nation.
Special, first, second, and third levels are represented by "T, 1, 2, 3"; flight, pilot and other flight personnel badges are represented by the first capital letter "FX" in Hanyu Pinyin, and "FX" represents the flying unit. Flight grade badges include both metal and soft stickers.
Soft-sticker flight level badge series, from top to bottom: Special, First Class, Second Class, Third Class, No Level
The flight level badge represents the technical level of the pilot, which is not only the identification of the pilot's qualifications and troops, but also an important part of the mental outlook of the aviation unit. The wearing of flight level badges by flight personnel is a major measure to highlight the honor and responsibility of flight personnel, which is conducive to stimulating the sense of glory and pride of flight personnel in a subtle way, strengthening mission, honor and responsibility, and at the same time conforming to international practices and conducive to foreign exchanges and cooperation.
Female pilot wearing a soft-patched flight class badge
The "Golden Helmet" award is known as the highest honor for pilots of the Chinese Air Force. Since 2011, the Air Force has held an annual competitive assessment of fighter aviation units against air combat, that is, the "Golden Helmet" battle, which represents the highest level of training for the Chinese Air Force against air combat.
The "Golden Helmet" symbolizing the highest level of air combat confrontation for Air Force fighter pilots (left and right)
Pilots who win the "Golden Helmet" award will receive a prize representing the highest honor, the golden helmet, and can spray their war eagle with a red eagle head pattern.
The "Golden Helmet" pilot pilots a fighter
Four "Golden Helmet" J-10 fighters with red eagle heads painted on the tail
The "Golden Helmet" annual competition has been held for 11 sessions so far, and each session has won the "Golden Helmet" award for about ten people, and a few people. Nowadays, the "Golden Helmet" free confrontation air combat and the "Red Sword" system confrontation, the "Golden Dart" surprise attack, and the "Blue Shield" air defense and anti-missile are known as the four major combat training brands of the Chinese Air Force.
Since the Air Force launched the "Golden Helmet" free air combat competition, a certain division of the aviation corps has won the "Golden Helmet" a total of 13 times, and the three regiments under it have won the team championship, becoming the aviation unit with the largest number of "Golden Helmets" in the Air Force.
Beginning in 2016, the Air Force organized the "Golden Helmet" competition, no longer awarding the golden helmet that had been the envy of countless pilots. However, the desire and pursuit of victory represented by that helmet has long taken root in the hearts of every pilot.
Two Golden Helmet pilots pilot su-30 fighter jets
Participated in the "Golden Helmet-2021" air force aviation brigade organized an oath mobilization meeting
(The author is an expert in military history)
The People's Liberation Army Daily was released on WeChat
Author: Xu Ping
Editor: Xiang Xiaoxin