The Chinese military started the professional pilot training for 22 female students at an aviation academy affiliated to the air force base in Shenyang of northeastern China on Monday, the People's Liberation Army Daily reported.

Female trainees for fighter plane pilots walk onto training ground in this photo taken on February 19, 2008. [File photo: Xinhua]

These 22 trainees will make up the first team of female pilots for fighter planes for the Chinese Military, and China's first group of female cosmonauts will also be selected from these pilots.

These students, selected from senior high school graduates in 2005, have completed courses in basic aviation theories and mastered rudimentary flying techniques at different training facilities.

Trainer gives instructions to two female students in front of a military plane in this photo taken on February 19, 2008. [File photo: Xinhua]

The academy where these female students will be trained has made training plans in accordance with the physical and psychological characteristics of females for better training results, the report said.

(CRI July 8, 2008)