Soaring AM 251
The weather in Colorado has not been very friendly to Soaring AM 251 these past few weeks. Between high winds, snow storms, and icy runways, it has been tough capturing both M and T days of Soaring AM 251. Although it was rather chilly yesterday morning, Soaring was finally able to fly and WebGuy was out with the cadets capturing some of their flights.
The 94th Flying Training Squadron conducts more than 20,000 training and competition glider sorties (flights) each year with the focus being on developing officers, leadership and character.
During the summer before their third-class year, they can enroll in Basic Soaring (AM 251), which consists of 14 glider sorties with the opportunity for a solo flight (depending on proficiency). Approximately 330 cadets participate in the Basic Soaring Course. Basic Soaring graduates are eligible to apply to become Cadet Soaring Instructor Pilots (AM 461). Cadets who are unable to do Soaring 251 during the summer, may still take soaring during the academic year. However, they will be unable to particpate in Soaring AM-461, the Cadet Instructor program. Cadet Instructor Pilots conduct 95% of all glider flight instruction and go through a yearlong upgrade program during their third-class year to become Instructor Pilots (IPs). This earns them their G-Wings and the title of “Youngest IPs in the Air Force”. Some Cadet IP’s compete nationally in aerobatics and sailplane racing team competitions. The squadron operates 24 sailplanes (gliders) with 7 tow aircraft.
Students are seated in the front of the glider with the instructor directly behind them. Student and Instructor both have a full set of controls which allows for hands on learning and instruction.
The glider is inspected prior to flight and flight plans are discussed between Instructor and student.
Once the glider is positioned on the runway, the rope from the tow plane is connected to the glider. The rope is inspected by the student and IP and hand signals are used to let the student and IP know that the plane is hooked up properly and ready for takeoff.
There were some beautiful landings on the center runway as well as on the synthetic turf landing field. The synthetic turf landing field is 430 feet wide and 3,000 feet long and is thought to be the largest single installation of synthetic turf in the world.
To view the photos from this Soaring AM 251 session, go to Galleries > Airmanship > Soaring. Set photo order Oldest to Newest and then select start page. Or click on the link below.
Soaring AM 251 T Day pg. 51-61 Soaring T Day
Soaring AM 251 M Day pg. 61-74 Soaring M Day