China's aircraft carrier the Liaoning can carry at least 20 fixed-wing carrier-based J-15 fighter jets and the ratio between the pilots and planes is about 1.5:1. So China needs to train more pilots for the future aircraft carrier, said a military expert recently. 

Among the pilots flying carrier-based aircraft who participated in China's V-day parade held on Sep. 3, except the captain, six pilots are training for carrier-based aircraft. The six men will receive landing and take-off drills before becoming the fourth batch of pilots for the carrier-based aircraft, explained military expert Li Jie to the Global Times. They have received a three-year training in a carrier-based aviation unit.

(Xinhua Photo)

Training for carrier-based aircraft pilots generally requires two steps, according to Li. First, they must master the skills of landing and take-off at the onshore airport and then they receive training on the deck of an onshore simulated aircraft. Second, they put into practice what they have learned on the aircraft carrier.

After mastering sophisticated skills, these seed pilots will accelerate China's steps to train new pilots.