WHY

In a constantly evolving strategic and tactical environment, Air Force commanders and policy makers continually need to address the imminent challenges confronting the aviation forces. Any shortage of prepared pilots means incapable Air Force. Any efficient training needs proper modern syllabuses, skilled instructors, platforms delivering on training tasks as well as cooperation with the defence industry and consideration of what the future of airwarfare will look like (i.e. 6th generation fighter, UAVs…). There is here a common task – preparing individual, both physically and mentally, to take the responsibilities of future air force life.

WHAT

Future Air Force Conference brings together the Commanders and Air Chiefs of national air forces, military planners and policy makers, training experts and instructors, academic staff, aviators, pilots, engineers, aviation subject matter experts, research and development specialists as well as the aviation and defence industry executives, to discuss on how to improve the quality of military flight training and operations to make both more effective and less costly.

HOW

The ambition of the organisers is to bring together subject matter experts from all around the world, from military users, defence industry and academia. The Future Air Force Conference is an ideal platform to exchange experiences and establish new and useful relationships that will benefit all participants. It is the opportunity to engage in enlightening discussions, gain valuable knowledge from renowned experts and discover cutting-edge technologies revolutionising flight training practices.

CONCEPT

Any shortage of prepared pilots means incapable Air Force which is not up to the defined tasks. Any efficient training needs proper modern syllabuses, skilled instructors, platforms delivering on training tasks and very importantly airfields and sufficient air space. There are different requirements by different Air Forces but there is a common task – preparing individual, both physically and mentally, to take the responsibilities of future air force life.

Providers of the pilot training must be able to cover specific needs of individual clients and yet to secure effective training and safety. There are challenges in all aspects of the pilot training on the side of Air Forces as well as on the side of providers of the pilot training. Providers need predictability and commitment from clients due to the fact that pilot training is financially demanding activity. There are solutions at hand which can be either immediately used or created by cooperative approach. Overcoming challenges and implementing solutions is focus of the conference.

AIM OF THE CONFERENCE

• The organisers aim to create a long-term platform for bringing together experts dedicated to the development of air capabilities in general and their application in a continuously changing strategic environment
• Exchange of experiences of users (representatives of the Air Forces) on the issues of elementary, basic and advanced training, which is primarily carried out in training facilities whose founders and operators are the armed forces or private organizations, or both entities in close cooperation
• To highlight the problems of recruiting new pilots and outline possible approaches that will increase the attractiveness of the military pilot profession
• Best practices – to present approaches to make the preparation (training) of pilots prior to conversion to new generation tactical aircraft as short as possible while maintaining the required quality
• Define what options (lower costs, more flexibility, etc.) private companies offer to the Air Forces in the flight training process

OUR TEAM

Major General (Ret.) Bohuslav DVOŘÁK

Chairman

former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, currently serving as Defence and Security Advisor to the Czech Defence Industries.

Mr. Petr Markvart

Executive Director

Czech lawyer, enterpreneur and business executive in defence and aerospace industry. He is the owner of DEFCON company, supporting international trade and industrial cooperation.

Colonel ret. Petr Tichý

Program Director

former MiG-29 pilot, who, as Deputy Director of the Force Development Section, participated in the preparation of the Czech Air Force for NATO, the NATINADS system, and the reform of the Armed Forces after the Czech Republic’s accession to the Alliance.

Ms. Marika Přinosilová

Marketing Manager

marketing and communication professional with extensive experience on international programs in leading aerospace and defence corporations.

Brigadier General ret. Libor Štefánik

Member of Committee

former MiG-21 aircraft pilot and Commander of the Air Force from 2013 to 2016. He capped his military career in military diplomacy as the military and air attaché in Sweden.

Mr. Adam Drnek

Member of Committee

Executive Director & Partner of the FUTURE FORCES FORUM, international platform for trends and technologies in defence and security.

Mr. Matthieu Szelag

Event Coordinator

consultant in the field of the defence industry, Matthieu works mostly as a facilitator. His background in hospitality and event businesses makes him
 the perfect event coordinator for the Future Air Force Conference.