Female pilots begin combat training

By Yang Lifei  |   2008-7-8  |     ONLINE EDITION

THE nation's first 22 female fighter-plane pilots began training at a flight college under the Shenyang Air Force in Liaoning Province yesterday, CCTV reported.

The recruits, selected from more than 200,000 high school graduates from 12 cities and provinces in 2005, will also have the chance to become China's first female astronaut, the report said.

Recruits have already studied aviation theory, elementary flying skills and stunt flights for the past two years, the report said. After graduation, they will be assigned to work at air force units and perform various missions including air battles and territorial sky defense.

The air force has used female pilots in the past, but never for combat missions.

"We have mapped out a training plan based on the psychological and physical characteristics of women,'' a college official was quoted as saying. "In the near future, these beautiful women will be piloting the fighter planes that protect our country.''

Other countries such as the United States, Britain, Germany and Russia have female fighter pilots.