TOP ACES is the First and Only Civilian Company in the World with a Commercial F-16 Fleet

TOP ACES Corp. is the world's sole commercial owner and operator of the F-16 fighter jet, providing air combat tactics training to US F-22 and F-35 fighter pilots against advanced aggressor aircraft at the US Air Force's (USAF) Eglin and Luke Air Bases. 

TOP ACES provides hostile aircraft tactical training to the USAF with the F-16 AAF. It is the only operator in the world that uses the F-16 AAF (Advanced Aggressor Fighter), an upgraded version of the F-16A, and it is a civilian company that has been able to purchase F-16A aircraft and subject them to a serious modernization called AAF. In this context, TOP ACES Corp. is a very special company that should be examined.

The F-16 AAF has unique open systems architecture capabilities, including AESA radar, helmet-mounted guidance systems, tactical data links and beyond high visibility (BVR) missile capabilities. In the Aggressor role, the Russian Mikoyan Gurevic can simulate the capabilities and capabilities of the MiG-29 Fulcrum and Su-27 Flanker aircraft extremely effectively.

As a pioneer in adversary air training, the TOP ACES group of companies has performed more than 100,000 accident-free flight hours in the last 17 years. This is an excellent flight and system safety record.

TOP ACES provides an unprecedented opportunity for the USAF F-22 and F-35 mission squadrons and pilots to receive a very high level of training with a team of retired/retired USAF former aggressor aircraft and tactics experts, the most experienced pilots in the country, tactical air controllers and aircraft maintenance personnel - all civilian professionals. 

The USAF prefers to have TOP ACES provide this training instead of providing it itself due to its high quality of training and low cost. The US authorities are considering the establishment of a similar model in the SFTI (Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor) program, also known as TOPGUN, at the US NAVY's Fighter Weapons School.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TOP ACES Corp., a retired USAF veteran and former training pilot of aggressor aircraft, TOP ACES' expert staff of highly experienced aggressor pilots, airspace controllers and aircraft maintenance personnel has been successfully meeting the advanced air combat training needs of the USAF's F-22 and F-35 squadrons at Luke and Eglin' air bases, and its customers are extremely satisfied with the USAF services. 

According to the chairman of TOP ACES, the F-16 AAF squadron provides enemy air combat training of a caliber that has never existed before, one that can best simulate the real enemy. The commitment of this interestingly structured company to its customer, the USAF, is to provide professionalism and excellence in training, while at the same time achieving considerable cost efficiency.

Civilian F-16 AAF Pilot for Top Aces Corp. 

TOP ACES Corp. provides Air Combat Training to the US, Canadian and German Air Forces.

TOP ACES has significant corporate experience changing the face of "Air Combat Training" with its unparalleled safety record, outstanding team and excellent operational flight safety record of +100,000 hours accident/incident free to support customers worldwide and is the leader in the enemy air attack flight industry.

Yes, TOP ACES is privately held and is the exclusive provider of enemy air combat environments and training to the US, Canadian and German Air Forces. It has a growing concept of employing highly skilled personnel based on the geographies in which it serves its customers. 

The most important feature and excellence enabling input is that its Pilot, Air Controller and Aircraft Maintenance personnel are retired personnel of the air force to be trained. Since these personnel are very well acquainted with the environment in which the training will be provided, the pilots to be trained and the aircraft to be trained, and are highly experienced in this field, their qualifications are naturally reflected in the quality of the training and service provided. 

TOP ACES' "enemy air attack and hunting tactics" are not known by the pilots of the air force they train. The trained pilots and squadrons can see these tactics in the air and determine and develop their own air combat tactics according to these enemy tactics. In other words, a very realistic air combat training environment and training can be provided to the customer.

Several NATO Air Forces are seriously examining the TOP ACES model and are studying its feasibility in their own countries. 

TOP ACES Corp. Fleet:

Dornier Alpha Jet

The Top Aces Dornier Alpha Jet aircraft combines high performance, fuel endurance, reliability and modern avionics to be the perfect platform for all mission profiles. The aircraft has undergone an impressive upgrade program that includes state-of-the-art Multi-Function Displays, Avionics, Flight Management System, IFR, Tactical Air Navigation System, Martin Baker ejection seats and a Dassault Canopy Escape System.

Dornier Alpha Jet

Bombardier Learjet 35A

The Learjet Model 35 is a multi-role business jet and military transport aircraft manufactured by Bombardier and certified for VFR, IFR, day, night and icing conditions. The engines are mounted in engine nacelles on the sides of the rear fuselage. External fuel tanks on the wing types (tips) distinguish its design from other aircraft with similar functions. TOP ACES uses this aircraft for airborne warning, control and jamming. The aircraft can also be seen in NATO exercises.

Lockheed Martin F-16A

In 2021, TOP ACES became the first private company in the world to acquire the F-16, considered by many military aviation experts to be the most agile fighter of its generation. Its superior speed, acceleration, maneuverability, small visual and radar signature, and ability to integrate advanced sensors and threat systems have made it the aircraft of choice for the USAF and USN Aggressor fleets since 1988.

In January 2022, TOP ACES upgraded the powerful legacy F-16A airframe with the proprietary Advanced Aggressor Mission System, creating the first high-performance Threat-Representative Adversary Aggressor fighter capable of supporting 5th generation jet fighters (F-22, F-35).

Lockheed Martin F-16A

Douglas A-4 Skyhawk

The Douglas A-4N Skyhawk aircraft is a proven and reliable platform for all mission profiles. The A-4N variant has been extensively upgraded during service. The single and twin-seat Skyhawks were upgraded in line with the recommendations of Top Aces (Aces) and modernized with IFR, Tactical Air Navigation System and ESCAPAC ejection seats for maximum operational flexibility and aircrew safety. In addition, TOP ACES has also integrated its proprietary Advanced Attacker Mission System into the Skyhawks, modernizing the aircraft to simulate the highly advanced capabilities of the latest generation of air-to-air combat adversary jet fighters."

F-16 Vista X-62A

Conclusion

Air forces all over the world conduct training to simulate the air combat capabilities and tactics of enemy aircraft, and establish special organizations to provide such training. This training is especially important for NATO member air forces, and care is taken to provide it at a high level.

The TOP ACES model is very interesting. First of all, it is not a common business model for a civilian organization to have its own fleets of F-16, Alpha Jet and A-4 Skyhawk jet fighter jets and to use these fleets to train the US, German and Canadian Air Forces on a specific air warfare subject. 

However, this business model has been used with satisfaction for more than 100,000 flight hours.

This model is able to provide its customer air forces with training that is close to the level of actual air combat with real enemies. This is very valuable. It is envisaged that this and similar business models will be created and developed, especially among NATO member air forces.