Air Force Academy Launches Airmanship Next Program

Cadet 1st Class Cade Cavanagh uses an immersive training device during a Pilot Training Next course this summer at the U.S. Air Force Academy airfield. Image credit: U.S. Air Force Academy photo/Jennifer Spradlin.

The Air Force Academy recently redesigned its Airmanshipprogram to give cadets more opportunities to experience the Air Force’s flyingmission and produce the best pool of rated candidates.

Launched at the start of the fall semester, Airmanship Nextaugments live-flight at the airfield with virtual reality training to reachcadets who may have been excluded in the past by scheduling conflicts andinfuses more aviation training into the four-year cadet developmental model.

“The reality is that less than half of the cadets from atypical class experience powered flight,” said Col. John Garver, Academydirector of operations and analysis. “We want to inspire cadets to go intorated careers by eliminating situations where cadets are interested in ratedoperations but have limited opportunities to try them out.”

The Academy has purchased 16 immersive training devices andwill add 12 more by early next year; the devices will be split between thecadet area and the airfield. The low cost per unit, ability to continuetraining when weather does not allow flying at the airfield, and 100 percentcompletion rate offered through the Cadet Aviation Lab creates a win-winsituation for the Academy and its cadets – everyone has the opportunity toexperience U.S. Air Force operations via an immersive airmanship course, hesaid.

“[The program] will help us meet cadets where they are andtailor their experiences to get them where they need to go to make informedcareer choices, including whether to volunteer for rated positions,” Garversaid.

Training on immersive training devices can be customized tobenefit different learning styles and cadets can focus on getting multiplerepetitions on key aviation skills. Confidence building in a low-threatenvironment helps boost the cadet’s confidence in their ability to succeed inaviation careers, he said.

“The amount of people who can go through this training andgrow in their airmanship skills – I think it’s amazing, and I recommend it allthe cadets in my squadron,” said Cadet 2nd Class Daniel Shemon. Shemonvolunteered to be one of the first cadets to go through the virtual realitytraining. He is currently enrolled in powered flight and intends on pursuing arated career as a pilot.

“Sometimes I come to the lab in the evenings to get in someextra practice on certain skills – approaches, pattern work, you name it – itreally helps me develop my muscle memory,” he said.

Initial feedback has shown a positive correlation betweenearly participants in the virtual reality training and live-flight performancein powered flight. Powered flight solo flights and overall completion rates arehigher than they have been in previous years.

“The cadets are showing up a lot more prepared andknowledgeable about radio calls and traffic patterns,” said Capt. Bryan Rhodes,powered flight program flight commander and 2010 graduate.

Cadets in powered flight typically complete 10 flightsbefore solo and check ride flights. He said the ITDs allow him to maximize thattraining time to prepare cadets to be successful at post-graduate flighttraining.

As the Academy works closely with Air Education and Training Command to produce qualified pilot candidates, the program is also pursuing an Initial Flight Training equivalency option for top cadet performers from the class of 2021.

Source: US Air Force