Brief History of the R.O.C. Air Force Academy
The predecessor of the R.O.C. Air Force Academy was the Central Army Academy’s Aviation Corps established in Nanjing in 1928, subsequently reorganized as the Aviation Class in 1929. In 1931, it was relocated to Jianqiao, and renamed the Central Aviation School on September 1, 1932. It was once again renamed the Air Force Academy on July 1, 1938, and the Academy was relocated and stationed in Gangshan, Kaoshiung County, Taiwan in 1949.
The Academy is the result of the desire of the founding father of the R.O.C., Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, to save the country via aviation, as well as the late President Chiang Kai-Shek’s instruction to build a strong air force. The aim was to educate excellent youth with philosophy, science and military science, in order to constitute the backbone of the Air Force with remarkable abilities, strong bodies, rich specialized knowledge and precise flying skills.
Educational Goals
1. Cultivating modern air force officers with strong patriotism, sense of duty and honor, through a coherent military education program and activities.
2. With a systematic curriculum, cultivating cadets to possess general abilities derived from undergraduate education and prepared for advanced studies.
3. Facilitating a step-by-step “Physical Fitness” training program to help cadets build sturdy bodies and exhibit courage, strong determination and perseverance.
4. Establishing firm teamwork spirit and creating a sense of honor through a relevant system based on practice and regular team lifestyle to cultivate air force officers who abide by regulations and have a passion for the teams under their supervision.
Educational System
Technology courses are adopted as a regular program for the cadets in the Air Force Academy. A total of 130 credits or more are required in the four-year education. Specialized courses that begin in the first year are categorized into four departments: Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Aviation Mechanical Engineering and Aviation Management. Every graduate in each department will be certified as a Bachelor of Science or Management and ranked as a second lieutenant.
Graduates who pass the Aviation Medical Examinations will be tested for their aviation qualifications. Those who are not suitable to become pilots will be assigned to receive specialized education (such as Aeronautical Mechanics, Communication & Electronics, and Anti-Air Warfare) in the Air Force Institute of Technology or the Army Artillery and Missile School, and later appointed to certain units by the General Headquarters after finishing their training.
Applicants for admission to the Professional Aviation Training Program should be graduates from junior college or above. The students will be trained for 97 weeks in the academy to acquire professional education (including Basic Aviation Theory and military courses) and aviation training. The graduates will be ranked as second lieutenants.
Education and Flight Training
Education
1. General Field: Specialized education is adopted and divided into four departments: Aerospace Engineering, Avionics Engineering, Aviation Mechanical Engineering and Aviation Management. The curriculum programs are designed to be filled with variety, flexibility and basic knowledge related to both academic and military fields. A total of 128 credits or more are required within four years. The courses provided in each department are described as follows:
(1) Department of Aerospace Engineering: Five specific fields including Aerodynamics, Flight Dynamics and related advanced courses, to provide every cadet with the opportunity for further study.
(2) Department of Avionics Engineering: Specialized avionics courses and elective courses comprise the main study focus, including three main fields: automatic control, computers and communication. Flight training and practical laboratory training are combined within the courses, in an attempt to build up cadets’ avionic engineering knowledge as well as their ability to do further research.
(3) Department of Aviation Mechanical Engineering: The curriculum design focuses on the fields of Power Mechanics and Structure and Solid Mechanics. The courses on fundamental Aeronautical Mechanics and Airplane Maintenance, with theories and practice integrated, are provided for the students with an aim to facilitate better teaching methods and to upgrade the learning effectiveness.
(4) Department of Aviation Management: Providing managerial theories and techniques is the goal of the Department. In order to achieve this goal, the basic academic programs require a minimum of 128 credits, as prescribed by the Ministry of Education. Our aviation management programs include Management, Operation Research, etc. With the demands of the Air Force, the following aviation safety-related courses are also provided: Aviation Management, Flight Safety, Aviation Psychology, Human Factor, and Integrated Logistic Support. Through theoretical and practical courses, we prepare our students with the necessary knowledge and skills for their future in the Air Force as professional pilots and flight operations managers.
2. Military Field: The military training programs in the Air Force Academy are classified into four main categories: basic theory, joint warfare, military intelligence and specialized knowledge, with the focus on educating cadets in basic subjects and enabling them to gradually comprehend the future development of the Air Force and the role they would play in combat missions with joint forces, as well as to prepare for the pre-courses of the layout of new-type aircrafts. Therefore, the cadets will be able to complete interface training and get connected to military services, achieving the goal of “Learning for practice; trained for practice.”
Flight Training and Time of Training for Cadets
Persons qualified for flight training will be evaluated with a TP-1 Flight Simulator. The flight training program is separated into three phases: Evaluation Flight Training, Basic Flight Training and Advanced Flight Training.
Professional Flight Training Program
Male or female flight officers will receive flight training after acquiring the basic specialized education.
Training Hours and the Current Type of Trainer:
Selection of Flight Training:
Completing ten- to twelve-hour flight with T-34C.
Basic Flight Training:
Completing 80-hour flight with T-34C.
Advanced Flight Training:
1.Combat Training Section
Completing 120-hour flight with AT-3.
2.Air Transportation Training Section
Completing eighty-hour-and-fifty-minute flight with BH-1900 or T-34.
Completing ninety-hour-and-fifty-minute with T-34.
Flight Simulator Training will be conducted for a total of 36 to 50 hours, depending on each phase of flight training.
Teaching Facilities
In order to meet the requirements of teaching and to combine theory with practice, experiment equipment for scientific researches and teaching facilities for air force-related education are provided. For the academic field, there are: “Classroom of Aircraft System Models”, “Laboratory for Wind Tunnel Researches” and “Astronomy Classroom.” For the military field, there are “Military Intelligence Analysis Room”, “Classroom for Joint Warfare Teaching”, “Classroom for Weapon Introduction” and a military library. As for the aspect of flight training, there are "Flight Simulator Classrooms” and “Multimedia Studios” for group or personal use, and complete aviation facilities.
The Cadet Honor System and Extracurricular Activities
The Cadet Honor System
To enhance cadets' sense of honor and leadership, a cadet cadre system was established based on the chain of command of the Cadet Group. Senior cadets serve as cadet group and squadron commanders, while junior and sophomore cadets serve as platoon and squad commanders, respectively. Cadet cadres in the Pilot Officer Classes are selected based on seniority and superiority, and perform their practical duties under the guidance of the officers.
Extracurricular Activities
To nourish life with animation, enrich the mind with knowledge and further cultivate cadets with gregarious, optimistic and positive personalities, a total of 12 clubs covering academic, artistic and recreational fields have been established for the participation of cadets according to their personal interests, with professional teachers invited to give instructions.
Conclusion
Since its establishment in 1929, the academy has gradually nurtured “the Spirit of Jianqiao”, after the alumni had undergone all sorts of tribulations, sacrifice and warfare. During the battles against the Communists and Japanese, the academy accomplished glorious records in safeguarding the airspace sovereignty and ensuring the country’s security. Recognizing these contributions, the Air Force Academy must persevere to strive towards excellence, envision the future, and prepare Air Force leaders to achieve the ultimate educational goals.
