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The decision to found the Luftwaffe military academy was taken in 1937 over the objections of the Air Ministry, when oversaw the Luftwaffe at that time. Continued opposition delayed the first intake of cadets until 1939, shortly before the dissolution of the Air Ministry and the transfer of the Luftwaffe to the control of the Defence Ministry.

Like the other service academies, the Militärakademie der Luftwaffe was to be a four-year institution, with competitive entry for candidates possessing an abitur. Among other disciplines the school emphasised aeronautical, mechanical and electrical engineering; graduates were granted both their officers’ patent and a university diplom in science upon graduation. Those candidates with aptitude and qualifications would begin their flying training as part of their studies at the academy, making use of the flying field adjacent to the school; cadets for the technical branches would receive practical experience in their art in the aerodrome’s workshops.

The first class of cadets graduated in 1943.

The foundation of the Luftwaffe’s staff academy pre-dates that of the Militärakademie der Luftwaffe by nearly three years, and the school was established in part to provide the depth of military training then lacking in much of the officer corps of the Luftwaffe.

The school’s purpose is to train officers in the administrative, staff and policy aspects of their profession. The one-year course of study teaches the officer not only the administrative policies and procedures of the Luftwaffe, but trains the officer how to think, not what to think. Attendees are selected on merit following an exhaustive examination of the officer’s service record and academic credentials. The goals of the academy are to:

* Facilitate the air minded thinking of students
* Develop and enhances abilities for higher-level command and staff responsibilities
* Enhance students' abilities to think critically about operational air concepts in a dynamic international environment
* Broaden students' understanding of the nature of conflict and current and future threats to Germany and its allies
* Develop students' abilities to plan and execute the planning process and air operations to support the force commander

The decision to establish the Luftwaffe’s war college was taken in 1940. Its purpose is to train the future senior leadership of the service and prepare them for such assignments and responsibilities. The formal missions of the Luftkriegsakademie are: to prepare selected Luftwaffe leaders for the responsibilities of strategic leadership; educate current and future leaders on the development and employment of airpower in a joint environment; and conduct research and publish on national security and military strategy. The course of study lasts one year.

This officer-candidate training school was established in 1941 to provide a path to command and leadership positions for the senior non-commissioned officer corps of the Luftwaffe. The school accepts candidates who have three years’ prior service with possession of an abitur. The course of instruction provided for an initial two semesters (six months) of classroom training on military and civil subjects, including history, chemistry, physics, general sciences and engineering, after which the candidate is returned to his squadron for six months service in a junior leadership position. Following a special examination, a successful candidate will return to the Offiziershochschule for a final semester of classroom instruction concentrating on leadership.

The Luftwaffe non-commissioned officer school trains personnel selected for promotion to the ranks of feldwebel, oberfeldwebel and stabsfeldwebel, who will serve as leaders, educators and trainers for various Luftwaffe units. It is intended that all non-commissioned officers of the Luftwaffe complete a course at the Unteroffizierschule at least once during their career. The course of instruction lasts six months, and focuses upon leadership and the role of the senior non-commissioned officer in leadership and training responsibilities. Practical and theoretical studies are incorporated in the training syllabus, as well as special courses in military policy and military law.

The specialist nature of aircrew training for the Luftwaffe called for creation of numerous training units in the following categories:

Flugzeugführerschulen A/B (Basic Pilot Training Schools)
Flugzeugführerschulen C (Advanced Pilot Training Schools)
Jagdfliegerschulen (Fighter Pilot Training Schools)
Schlachtfliegerschulen (Attack Pilot Training Schools)
Kampffliegerschulen (Bomber Pilot Training Schools)
Aufklärungsschulen (Reconnaissance Pilot Training Schools)
Blindflugschulen (Night Flying Schools)

Navigationsschulen (Air Navigation Schools)
Bomben-und-Zielfinderschulen (Bombardier Training Schools)
Fliegerschützenschulen (Air Gunner Schools)
Flieger-Bildschule (Air Photography School)

Upon induction into the Luftwaffe, whether by voluntary enlistment of through conscription, the recruit is assigned to an Aviation Recruit Training Depot (Fliegerersatzabteilung) for a period of six months, during which he learns the rudiments of military discipline, drill and physical culture. Elementary lectures on the principles of wireless, map reading and similar technical subjects would introduce the recruit to aviation matters. During the final month of the recruit’s term at the training depot he would be assessed for suitability for training as a pilot or aircrew.

If a recruit is assessed as being suitable for service as either a pilot or aircrew he is then sent to an Air Training Company (Fluganwarterkompanie) for a period of two months, during which the recruit studies general aeronautical subjects and undergoes assessment for specialised training as a pilot, navigator, bomb aimer or wireless air gunner. Those recruits who appeared to be suitable for training as pilots undergo up to 10 hours of assessment in light aircraft to confirm their ability for further air training.

Specialised Training

Pilots

The recruit deemed suitable for further training as pilots or observers is assigned to a Basic Flying Training School (Flugzeugführerschulen A/B) for a period of twelve months. The first (or A) phase of instruction sees the recruit receiving instruction in aerodynamics, aeronautical engineering, elementary navigation, meteorology, flight theory and use of wireless equipment for a minimum of 500 hours. Flight training sees the recruit receive 100 hours of instruction in such basic aircraft as the Bu131, Bu181, Fw44 or similar low-power light aircraft. If successful in the initial phase of flight training, the pilot-candidate would enters the second (or B) phase, and receives flight training on higher performance aircraft, including obsolescent combat types; the pilot-candidate receives an additional 80 hours of flight time in the second phase of basic flying training, at the successful conclusion of which he receives his pilot’s licence (Luftwaffenflugzeugfuehrerschein) and his pilot’s wings (Flugzeugfuehrerabzeichen).

At this point in their training pilots are assigned to specialist training schools based upon aptitude and operational requirements. Pilots selected for single-engined fighters or attack aircraft move to their respective specialist schools (see below). Prospective twin-engine fighter, bomber and reconnaissance pilots go on to an Advanced Flying Training School (Flugzeugführerschule C) for an additional 60 hours of instruction in advanced aeronautical subjects and flight training on twin engine aircraft such as the Fw58 and Si204, and older models of operational types. This course of instruction lasts six months, at the conclusion of which the pilot is able to fly his aircraft by day or night with reasonable proficiency, a limited experience in instrument flying and cross-country navigation flights under fair weather condition. At this point those pilots intended for twin-engine fighter units proceed to their specialist schools (see below) while those pilots selected for bomber or reconnaissance units graduated to Night Flying School (Blindflugschule).

Specialist Pilot Training Schools

Prospective fighter pilots, at completion of their basic training, are assigned to Fighter Training Schools (Jagdfliegerschulen), for an intensive course of instruction that includes 100 hours of classroom instruction in fighter tactics and 100 hours of flight time in operational aircraft. This phase of training lasts four months. Upon graduation from fighter training a pilot is assigned to an Operational Conversion Unit (Ausbildungsgruppen) (see below).

Pilots selected for assignment to attack units are assigned to Battle Training Schools (Schlachtfliegerschulen), where the course of instruction concentrates on target recognition, identification of friendly forces and tactical employment of ordnance; 100 hours are allocated for classroom instruction and 100 hours of flight time in operational aircraft. This phase of training lasts four months, at the conclusion of which pilots are assigned to operational conversion units.

Following their term at advanced flying and blind flying school pilots selected for assignment to bomber units are assigned to a Night Flying School (Blindflugschule), where the course of instruction lasts three months, during which bomber and reconnaissance pilots receives an additional 60 hours of training in blind flying, of which at least 40 hours was expended in the air, with the remainder using flight simulators of the Link type. It is only after completion of this stage that pilots move on to Bomber Training Schools (Kampffliegerschulen) or Reconnaissance Training Schools (Aufklärungsschulen).

Prospective pilots for multi-engine bombers spend four months at a bomber training school where they receive instruction in handling of operational aircraft, coordination of aircrew and formation tactics. Pilots are required to complete 100 hours of classroom instruction and 100 hours of flight time before passing on to operational conversion units. Similarly pilots for multi-engine reconnaissance aircraft attend a four-month course at a reconnaissance training school and receive instruction in high-altitude flight techniques, long-distance navigation and night flying; 100 hours of classroom instruction and 100 flight hours on operational types is required as part of the four-month course of instruction.

Other Aircrew Training Schools

Personnel selected to train as aircraft navigators are assigned to Air Navigation Schools (Navigationsschulen), where the course of instruction lasts nine months, during which time the navigator trainee receives 300 hours of classroom instruction in map reading, celestial navigation and the use of airborne navigation aids, such as the Lorenz blind approach equipment. He also receives at least 200 hours of instruction in the air, working out navigation problems and familiarising himself with operational equipment. Upon completion of this course of instruction the navigator is assigned to an operational conversion unit.

Personnel selected to train as bomb aimers are assigned to Bomb Training Schools (Bomben-und-Zielfinderschulen), where the course of instruction lasts nine months, during which time the bomb aimer trainee receives 300 hours of classroom instruction in the theory of air bombing and target identification, as well as a minimum of 200 hours of instruction in the air – with the particular requirement of fifteen successful practice bombing attacks. Upon completion of this course of instruction the bomb-aimer is assigned to an operational conversion unit.

Personnel selected to train as wireless air gunners are assigned to Air Gunnery Schools (Fliegerschützenschulen), where the course of instruction lasts nine months. In that time the prospective gunner receives 200 hours of classroom instruction in the use and maintenance of aircraft wireless equipment, 200 hours of classroom in the care and maintenance of aircraft armament and a minimum of 200 hours in the air for target practice and operational instruction in the use of aircraft wireless equipment. Upon completion of this course of instruction the air gunner is assigned to an operational conversion unit.

Operational Conversion Units (Ausbildungsgruppen)

The role of the operational conversion unit is to complete the training of pilots and complete aircrews on the aircraft they will fly upon assignment to a front-line air unit. Emphasis is placed on the melding of individual specialists – pilot, navigator, etc. – into a team capable of carrying out all the duties expected of an operational aircrew. Personnel assigned to operational conversion units undergo both classroom and aircraft instruction for a minimum of 50 hours on the ground and 100 hours in the air before assignment to active air units. Depending upon the demand for replacement air crew personnel may receive additional proficiency training at this level.