The Rise Of Bochkor: A Successful Training

It was considered a kind of ’final exam’ when Gábor Bochkor rose in the air onboard an Albatros – his theoretical skills were tested the day before, therefore there were no obstacles to flying. Of course, he had a professional companion, too, Brigadier General István Petõ, who was sitting next to – or to be more precise, in this case, behind – the radio host.

Gábor Bochkor started his fighter pilot training roughly two weeks ago. It is well known that the radio host is in love with flying, he has been a permanent – and active – participant in the Kecskemét Air Show for years. Although he has flown in a fighter aircraft as a passenger before, this year he has undertaken a more serious venture: to give us an insight into the bumpy maze of becoming a fighter pilot, in the scope of the demonstrative training. Being a civilian, his job was not easy, but he managed fine – this is proven by the fact that his trainers were impressed and appraised his performance, be it the physical or the theoretical preparation phase.

Honvedelem.hu has covered the training phases, therefore we were also on site Thursday morning when Bochkor rose in the air in an Albatros for the first time.

“In the past two weeks I have been attending several hours long theoretical and practical courses, and though I have a civilian pilot licence, this was absolutely different! I have learned a lot of interesting things, but the question is to what extent can I benefit from all this in civilian aviation, since it is completely different. Yesterday I sat in the machine for the first time; we were rolling on the runway but did not take off. The key question – which was answered yesterday – was if I can start the aircraft at all? Since this is not as evident as many would believe, an ignition key is not enough…," told us Bochkor just before takeoff.

But in spite of the humorous words, the face of the radio host clealy indicated that he takes his duty very seriously indeed – his thoughts were all about flying above the clouds.

Finally the long awaited moment has arrived: the engines of the L-39 were started and the fighter rose in the air, followed by the curious look of dozens of ’media workers’, and soon it disappeared over the horizon. In the beginning the plane was accompanied by another Albatros, then it spanned the air alone at a speed of 350-400 km/h. During the flight, Bochkor had to execute various tasks, which he had discussed with his trainers many times in theory before. But theory and practice are two different things. In 40 minutes, the aircraft has reappeared, and it was time for the assessment to begin.

Based on the ’verdict’, Bochkor did well in the ’examination’, so the training has achieved its purpose. By the way, purpose! This is what the showman was questioned about after the successful flight, when he was asked why he has undertaken the tough task, which took several weeks to complete.

"It was a fantastic experience; what I have witnessed in the past few weeks and days, cannot be compared to anything. My family has rarely seen me, it’s true – on Wednesday, my love and my little daughter Nóri visited me in Kecskemét, so that we could spend some time together here. My purpose – beyond experiencing this feeling – was to assist the Hungarian Defence Forces in making young people interested in fighter pilot training. And of course, I am excited about tomorrow as well, when in two and a half hours we are to fly over the whole country, following a route decided in advance," told us Gábor Bochkor, for whom Friday seems to be another busy day, and this weekend he will visit the Kecskemét Air Show, naturally.