The Belgian army is planning a change in pilot-recruiting policy to counter dwindling numbers of helicopter pilots to fly the Agusta A109 helicopter or the Pilatus Britten-Norman Islander liaison aircraft. Instead of recruiting its pilots among NCOs already serving and who volunteer for air service, the army now wants to recruit among civilians. Candidates will no longer have to sign on for a lifetime career as an NCO and will have the right to leave the army should they fail during pilot training. Belgian army helicopter units are based at Bierset airfield, near Liege.
Source: Flight International