They also must complete an Initial Flying Class I, 1A, Ground Based Controller or III flight physical prior to starting the RPP.Įnlisted members are required to apply to either the U.S. Officers who complete the course must then apply to the next available Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) selection board, the release states. Program participants will garner "approximately seven to nine flight hours, ground instruction and additional training time in a flight simulator," according to the Air Force. Prospective participants for the 2021 class must complete an online ground course at their own pace, followed by a one-week, in-residence aviation fundamentals course. The Air Force admitted fewer applicants this year to better balance its training operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, nearly 100 officers have participated in the first two years of the program's existence - 52 in 2019, and 41 in 2020, the service said. In February, the service said it would fall short in its goal of producing 1,480 new pilots across the force by the end of fiscal 2020. The program also supplements the Air Force's efforts to fix its years long pilot shortage - a problem facing all aviation units. Alex Johnson, a combat systems officer who also works in tactical air control while stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in the October release. has helped me learn my place in the air and not having to drink so much from a fire hose," said Capt. "Just having the ground school and the instruction that you receive from the instructors here. The initiative was launched in 2019 to inspire those eager to become pilots, navigators and other crew the ability to get ahead by learning basic aviation skills before formal pilot training, according to a separate Air Force release published in October. The program, in partnership with the Civil Air Patrol, does not produce aviators, but rather, works as a stepping-stone to get participants the necessary flight training to become a student pilot someday. "This program will allow them to enhance their knowledge through developmental modules and acquire valuable flight time in order to increase their competitiveness as candidates for future undergraduate flying training boards." Scott Linck, Aircrew Task Force deputy director, in the release. "The Rated Preparatory Program provides Department of the Air Force officers and, for the first time, enlisted applicants who are interested in cross-training to a rated career field the opportunity to gain and strengthen their basic aviation skills," said Col. ![]() Read Next: In Shake-Up, Acting SecDef Elevates Special Operations to Be 'On Par' with Service Branches
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |