LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Blizzard-like conditions may have struck the U.S. Air Force Academy earlier this month, but in Arizona the weather was perfect for cadet instructor pilots who taught Academy sophomores the art of soaring in Coolidge, Arizona.
During their two-week trip to Arizona, 15 cadets and four officers from the 94th Flying Training Squadron’s Academy Soaring Program taught the cadets how to perform aerobatics.
“We went to Arizona to get six to seven straight days of flying,” said soaring instructor pilot Cadet 1st Class Joseph Gould. “The sophomores were nervous at first because they had never been inverted [in a glider], but they really got into it. They have a lot to learn, but by the end of the week they were very good at aerobatics.”
The 94th FTS flies more than 17,000 sorties a year, making it the most active soaring operation in the U.S. Each year, 80 cadets attend a semester-long instructor pilot upgrade course.
“The soaring program broadened my horizons,” said Cadet 3rd Class Merrick Isley. “I didn’t get to experience Airmanship my freshman year and this program exposed me to the best the Academy has. This is a positive environment and helps everyone grow. This training in Arizona has been great because we don’t have school and I get to focus on flying.”
Capt. Brian Ross, the 94th FTS group training officer, is a 2008 Academy grad. He returned to his Alma mater in 2014 to learn to pilot gliders.
“This program introduces cadets to aviation, which is what many of them will do in their Air Force careers,” he said. “It provides leadership opportunities because cadets are in charge of the trip. Making reservations and working with airfields gives them experience they will use in the operational Air Force when they go on a temporary duty assignment.”
Four TG-16A gliders were trailered from the Academy to Arizona for the event.
“It’s been a great experience and gives us a whole new perspective,” Gould said. “It’s a great way to get away from homework and be with people who want to fly. It’s a chance to challenge yourself and a lot of fun.”
NOTES
Cadet 1st Class Joseph Gould, CS - 34
Three years in soaring program.
We came to Arizona as the first year in a while, now I’m a senior. We’re planning on coming back each year. We come her for the weather primarily, so we can get 6-7 straight days of flying in. We are teaching our sophomores aerobatics.
So westart off with loops and rolls, but then we go to inverted turns, point rolls, quarter rolls. So they are definitely nervous, they have never been inverted, but they really get into it, it’s very fast paced. They get really good in aerobatics by the end of the week, there is still a lot to learn, but they are very good.
Pilot, Sheppard TX
It’s been a great experience, a whole new perspective, it’s a chance to get away from homework and be with people who want to fly, a chance to challenge yourself, and it’s a lot of fun.
5 soph
5 junior
5 seniors
First comp
Cadet 3rd Class Merrick Isley CS-4 – I’m from Jacksonville Florida
I played football my freshman years so I didn’t get a chance to get a glider flight, but then the summer of sophomore flight, 11 flights and then got to solo for the first time.
August approx. 80 cadets chosen to go through training for soaring instructor pilot. I have been trying to become a soaring instructor pilot. Certified as an IP about a week ago.
It’s been pretty good. The last 12 days have been great experience because I get to learn from the best IP the cadet wing has. I look forward to it because we don’t have school and I get to really focus on my flying.
Hoping to get picked up as a pilot in my senior year.
It’s broadened my horizons, as a freshman I didn’t get to experience airmanship. It has exposed me to the best the Academy has. It creates a positive environment and helps everyone grow.
Capt. Brian Ross, 94th group training officer, graduated 2008, got back to academy in 2014
Been with soaring program since 2014. Came here last year, second time.
It’s an opportunity to have dedicated training, where their focus is learning to fly aerobatics. The awesome weather helps, to ensure continuity for them.
Last spring when I was assigned here I learned to fly aerobatics, It’s back to the stick and rudder skills that you need to be a pilot.
It introduces them to aviation, which a lot of them will do in their AF careers, it provides leadership opportunities. Some cadets are in charge of the trip, working with airfields, gives them experience that they will use in the operation air force when they go TDY.
These guys are all the top of their field here at the academy. We are proud of their accomplishments for sure.