If we look at the number of accidents since the independence of Bangladesh, it will be quite evident that considering the small size of the Air Force fleet, the loss of aircraft during training is probably the highest in the world. Accidents may occur during a flight due to various factors related to human error, mechanical/technical problems, air traffic problems, natural phenomenon like adverse weather, etc. some of which are beyond our control. However, reducing the number of training flights would definitely contribute to lower the accident rate, the relationship being directly proportional.

In developed countries, Air Force training is done mostly on simulators. With the advent of state of the art simulators, even zero hours (of actual aircraft) training is approved and recognised in these countries. Some pilots of foreign airlines coming to Bangladesh have been surprised to see the high amount of airforce flying done, especially from a busy international airport like ZIA. Some of these pilots have even worked in advanced airforces like NATO. They have trained and flown even latest aircraft mostly on simulators with a very minimum of actual aircraft flying.

Simulators are also used extensively to practise emergency situations, combat scenarios, missile evasions, etc. without possibly endangering the safety of the aircraft itself. Using simulators increases the proficiency of the pilots and saves the aircraft life for actual combat situations. These foreign pilots were surprised at how a poor country like Bangladesh, can afford so much of actual aircraft flying. The operational hours (life) of these aircraft are finished just for training. How many of these aircraft will be left to fly actual combat sorties, to free our skies of enemies in an actual war, is questionable.

The many aircraft hung up or placed on concrete pillars at road intersections in the city and cantonments all over the country bear testimony to the number of aircraft, which lose operational life just by doing training sorties.

Finally, to save innocent lives and valuable property and keep our Air Force pilots proficient, as well as, to keep more aircraft in operational status should the need arise, the Bangladesh Air Force may adopt economically feasible modern training methods of advanced countries, after detailed study.