{"id":32132,"date":"2022-11-16T00:08:20","date_gmt":"2022-11-16T00:08:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2022\/11\/16\/can-the-air-force-train-new-pilots-without-planes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T21:14:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T21:14:47","slug":"can-the-air-force-train-new-pilots-without-planes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/training-sim\/2022\/11\/16\/can-the-air-force-train-new-pilots-without-planes\/","title":{"rendered":"Can the Air Force train new pilots without planes?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Airmen are gearing up for what could be the most consequential move in military pilot training since the Air Force was created in 1947: teaching students to fly without stepping foot in a real airplane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new program, known as \u201cAir Mobility Fundamentals-Simulator,\u201d is the Air Force\u2019s next step in a yearslong attempt to modernize pilot training without sacrificing quality. It\u2019s also an opportunity for the service to embrace more cost-effective technology and retire its 30-year-old fleet of T-1A Jayhawk trainer jets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But experts warn that turning out experienced pilots is more complicated than trading an airworthy cockpit for a replica.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a lot of value to a simulator, but there\u2019s something fundamentally different when you\u2019re up in the thin air,\u201d said Heather Penney, a retired Air National Guard fighter pilot who now researches defense policy at the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. \u201cThere\u2019s no do-overs, there\u2019s no resets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/03\/28\/air-force-proposes-cuts-to-military-workforce-combat-aircraft-in-2023\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/220323-F-LQ965-9071.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Air Force proposes to cut military jobs, aircraft in 2023<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">In total, the Pentagon wants Congress to fund 657,773 military and civilian positions in the Air Force and Space Force.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">A new path<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how it works: The first military aircraft a new student touches is the T-6A Texan II, as part of the undergraduate pilot training curriculum. Earning pilot\u2019s wings in the T-6 takes about seven months, at which point a trainee is selected to continue on the fighter-bomber track or the mobility track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About 900 students are picked for mobility-track pilot slots each year. Those airmen, who train to fly cargo and tanker aircraft as well as special operations and intelligence-gathering planes, typically spend about five months in the T-1 \u2014 an intermediate step toward their operational unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those who pass the T-1 course then move on to learn about their assigned aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/supt.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"Members of the 3rd Flying Training Squadron walk to their T-1 Jayhawk aircraft at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Aug. 26, 2018. Continuation training allows instructor pilots to maintain their proficiency and qualifications. (Tech. Sgt. Erik Cardenas\/Air Force)\" class=\"wp-image-71473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/supt.jpg.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/supt.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/supt.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Members of the 3rd Flying Training Squadron walk to their T-1A Jayhawk aircraft at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in August 2018. The 30-year-old fleet of Jayhawks is being retired. (Tech. Sgt. Erik Cardenas\/Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Starting in January, the interim step \u2014 known as specialized undergraduate pilot training \u2014 will use only simulators to teach more advanced flight skills in 75 days. That includes the current T-1 simulator and a newly designed, more generic virtual-reality cockpit from Redbird Flight Simulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor the types of things that they do in the T-1, a sim is a great place to do that at a much lower operational cost,\u201d Josh Harnagel, marketing vice president at Redbird, told Air Force Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each undergraduate pilot training base will host eight Redbird systems and four legacy T-1 simulators, the Air Force said in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, got its first Redbird simulators in September. Columbus AFB, Mississippi, is slated to receive its sims by March 2023, and Laughlin AFB, Texas, expects its sims in July 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teaching would begin four to six months after systems are delivered. That means the redesigned course may not be fully implemented until early 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/10\/11\/air-force-praises-new-pilot-training-but-struggles-to-hire-instructors\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"195\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/220330-F-IL807-0026.jfif_.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Air Force praises new pilot training but struggles to hire instructors<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">It&#039;s unclear how many airmen have graduated from the new pilot training program overall.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Redbird\u2019s custom-built faux T-1 cockpit uses software designed by SAIC and Lockheed Martin to closely, but not exactly, replicate the experience of flying the Jaybird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Though the view outside the \u201cairplane\u201d is virtual, cameras on a headset let students see their own hands while they manipulate buttons and knobs. That makes the experience more realistic and useful than trying to move fake hands around a screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe human mind is amazing at \u2026 suspending disbelief,\u201d Harnagel said. \u201cWith a good instructor, you can do just about everything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Effective approach<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simulators can be very effective tools for teaching emergency procedures or scenarios that aren\u2019t possible in the local area, said two military experts who spoke to Air Force Times. It lets students safely explore what the airplane\u2019s software can do, and to practice potentially sensitive maneuvers out of public view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And in systems that track where a pilot is looking or the order in which they hit certain buttons, sim technology can help grade their performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"665\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/redbird2.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"Redbird flight simulators are set up at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., Sept. 23, 2022. The simulators are a key component of a sim-only pilot training course for future mobility, special operations, command-and-control, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aviators. (Airman 1st Class Kathy Duran\/Air Force)\" class=\"wp-image-71476\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/redbird2.jpg.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/redbird2.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/redbird2.jpg.jpg?resize=768,511 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Redbird flight simulators are set up at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., Sept. 23. The simulators are a key component of a sim-only pilot training course for future mobility, special operations, command-and-control, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aviators. (Airman 1st Class Kathy Duran\/Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new curriculum has been in the works for about a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe started from the target back,\u201d Col. Robert Moschella, who leads pilot training reform efforts at 19th Air Force, told Air Force Times in a recent interview. \u201cWe established what [skills and traits the Air Force] would be looking for. Then we built a syllabus using some of our new technology and what we\u2019ve learned over the years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In particular, the course emphasizes how to use a flight management system, properly manage resources, fly without one engine, run autopilot and read takeoff and landing data, the Air Force said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force vetted its plan in three small group trials at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Judging by their performance later on in training, Moschella said there\u2019s \u201cno discernible difference\u201d in quality compared to past students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think we\u2019re on the right track,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2021\/03\/24\/as-air-force-revamps-pilot-training-flight-safety-concerns-linger\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/6324002.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">As Air Force revamps pilot training, flight safety concerns linger<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The Air Force hopes its new approach to pilot training will not only produce better pilots but also keep airmen safe in the cockpit.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Airmen offered plenty of feedback so the companies could make the new sims realistic enough to teach the skills they need, Harnagel said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s all in relatively the right spot,\u201d he said. \u201cWe use aircraft hardware where it makes sense, and then we use off-the-shelf commercial stuff where it makes sense to help reduce costs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether a simulator effectively stands in for live flight depends on its level of fidelity, whether physical, visual or mental. And how close that needs to come to the real thing depends on what a course is trying to impart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For instance, a full-motion system can demonstrate what it feels like to land a helicopter on an uneven surface, said Tim Marler, a military training and technology expert at the federally funded think tank Rand Corp. Virtual-reality goggles can\u2019t replicate those physical qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cost considerations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But if the objective is to teach decision-making under stress without feeling a physical impact, a VR headset could be a good fit compared to a costly full-motion simulator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1a.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"Capt. Nicholas Molby, a flight doctor at Vance Air Force Base, underwent a &quot;triple turn&quot; on Sept. 14, 2018, at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. Molby's first flight of the day was in a T-1A Jayhawk, the trainer aircraft for the tanker track of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. (Airman 1st Class Zachary Heal\/Air Force)\" class=\"wp-image-71479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1a.jpg.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1a.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1a.jpg.jpg?resize=768,512 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">T-1A Jayhawk trainer aircraft are used by students in the tanker track of specialized undergraduate pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla. (Airman 1st Class Zachary Heal\/Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Efficiency also matters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cYou wouldn\u2019t want to figure out where all the knobs, buttons and controls are while you\u2019re in the air,\u201d Marler said. \u201cThat\u2019s just a waste of fuel. You can do that looking at a static picture.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force has ordered 20 Redbird systems so far, Harnagel said. The company\u2019s bespoke cockpits typically cost $300,000 to $500,000, including flight software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s a fraction of the price of more advanced sims with the technology to replicate G forces, for instance. Those can run tens of millions of dollars apiece, which may not always offer enough bang for the buck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cTen percent [more fidelity] costs an extra, let\u2019s say, $10 million,\u201d Harnagel said. \u201cThere really is not a lot of benefit for somebody who\u2019s a pilot already.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moving to a sim-only curriculum doesn\u2019t necessarily mean the Air Force needs fewer instructors. It\u2019s up to the experienced pilots to make sure students understand what they\u2019re doing right in the sim, so they don\u2019t accidentally adopt bad habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once up and running, the new approach won\u2019t drastically change instructors\u2019 responsibilities because the skill set is largely the same, Moschella said. His team is working to \u201ctrain the trainers\u201d before the first batch of student pilots begin at Vance in January.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cInstructor pilots will have to learn \u2026 how to use this [Redbird] device, how to turn it on, how to program it, how to set it up for a student profile,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019ll just be another medium.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force declined to make an instructor pilot available to discuss their expectations for the new program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Concerns remain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simulator instructors can become creatures of habit, especially those who feel bored or overworked, Penney argued. That could shortchange students who don\u2019t get enough variety in their lessons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"666\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1.jpg.jpg\" alt=\"A T-1 Jayhawk takes off on the runway at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 5, 2022. Laughlin trains the most pilots of any training base in the Air Force and is dedicated to producing combat-ready airmen, pilots and leaders. (Airman 1st Class Kailee Reynolds\/Air Force)\" class=\"wp-image-71489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1.jpg.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1.jpg.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/t1.jpg.jpg?resize=768,511 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A T-1 Jayhawk takes off on the runway at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, Oct. 5. Laughlin trains the most pilots of any training base in the Air Force and is dedicated to producing combat-ready airmen, pilots and leaders. (Airman 1st Class Kailee Reynolds\/Air Force)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey will have pet scenarios that they do every time,\u201d she said. \u201cThey\u2019ll set the same weather, they\u2019ll send you to the same airport, they\u2019ll have the same wind, they\u2019ll do the scenario in the same order. \u2026 Students can decode that quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That makes it even more important that students get airborne to practice under less-predictable conditions, including the possibility of a real crash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy main concern is, having talked with [Air Mobility Command boss Gen. Michael Minihan] and knowing that his vision for the future is\u201d single-pilot missions, Penney said. \u201cYou\u2019re going to have to find some way to absorb and experience these young kids before you can transition them to single-pilot ops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/07\/18\/air-force-considers-removing-co-pilot-from-boeing-kc-46-tanker-crews\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/kc46.jfif_.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Air Force considers removing co-pilot from Boeing KC-46 tanker crews<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The idea could reduce potential troop casualties during wartime refueling missions.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Simulator training is nothing new elsewhere in the aviation industry. But Penney and Marler agreed that a mix of live flight and digital training is more effective than relying solely on aircraft or simulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe military points towards the airlines, saying, \u2018Look, people get their 737-type rating and the first time they ever actually touch the airplane is when they go on their [initial flight] and they\u2019ve got 180 people in the back,\u201d Penney said. \u201cBut don\u2019t forget that that individual has, at a minimum, 1,500 hours of flight time and an air transport pilot rating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In comparison, Air Force pilots spend about 115 hours in real cockpits (around 18 hours at initial flight training in Colorado and 96 hours at undergraduate pilot training) before reaching the T-1. There, they log about 90 more hours, split between actual aircraft and sims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They arrive at the formal training units for their assigned aircraft with about 160 airborne hours under their belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Penney is concerned about how that small amount of flight time, plus a few months of simulator-only training, will affect a student\u2019s ability to think fast when something unexpected happens in midair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey will need to sit in the [co-pilot] seat for a long time as they get that real-world experience,\u201d she said. \u201cWeird things happen in the air, and real airplanes sometimes don\u2019t do what they\u2019re supposed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/07\/28\/hundreds-of-air-force-training-planes-grounded-over-ejection-seat-concerns\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/1000w_q75-2-2.jpg-2.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Hundreds of Air Force training planes grounded over ejection seat concerns<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The service has stopped flying 203 T-38 Talons and 76 T-6 Texan IIs that may be affected by defective ejection seat parts.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hard realities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The changes come as the Air Force contends with steadily aging fleets and budgetary pressures. Those realities are driving the new training program more than a true desire to improve flight school, Penney said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force plans to retire 156 T-1s between fiscal 2023 and 2025, including about 50 in the next year. If Congress approves, the move would shrink the total fleet from 178 aircraft to 127 by next October. Lawmakers appear likely to grant the request in the fiscal 2023 defense spending and policy bills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Could the new program boost pilot production while retention is lagging?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt depends on how many sims they buy; how many sim rides you need to do; if the sims break down,\u201d Penney said. \u201cRight now, the T-1 is so in the toilet that it can\u2019t go anywhere but up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Data provided to Air Force Times last year showed that three-fourths of the T-1 fleet was able to fly at least cursory missions; nearly 70% of aircraft that needed repairs were fixed within 12 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/05\/26\/air-force-changes-formation-approach-rules-again-after-fatal-training-jet-crash\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/wentz.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">Air Force changes formation approach rules \u2014 again \u2014 after fatal training jet crash<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">Second Lt. Anthony Wentz, 23, died in November 2021 while attempting a two-jet formation approach with two instructor pilots on a runway at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That\u2019s not all: The service is hurting for instructors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Air Education and Training Command boss Lt. Gen. Brian Robinson recently said that while 80% or more of active duty instructor pilot jobs are filled at most training bases, the Air Force has about 60% of the civilian simulator instructors it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prospective instructors are moving to suburban areas where they can earn six-figure pay operating sims for commercial airlines. Uniformed instructors have to pick up the slack in the meantime, prompting complaints about training reforms that emphasize simulators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe don\u2019t have the numbers of instructor pilots or airframes to be able to train these kids in real airplanes, and we have not stopped the bleeding of pilots exiting,\u201d Penney said. \u201cI think they are being driven by the fact that there are serious problems, and they have to find a solution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The methods are different, Moschella responded, but the overall goal hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe No. 1 priority of any of our pilot training programs is to produce a quality pilot that we can be proud of,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Goodbye, T-1 Jayhawk. Hello, simulators.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":71468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"single-post-featured-layout","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":26,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[7,160,36,26,164],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3484],"class_list":["post-32132","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-air","category-daily-news-roundup","category-newsletters","category-training-sim","category-training-simulation-report"],"acf":{"subheadline":"Simulators set to replace jets as officials prepare to retire the T-1A Jayhawk","legacy_arc_id":"GZQZVVK7F5F3DFGSTJZEJX6WI4","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-air-force\/2022\/11\/16\/can-the-air-force-train-new-pilots-without-planes\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"featured-layout","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.0 (Yoast SEO v28.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can the Air Force train new pilots without planes? - Defense News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Goodbye, T-1 Jayhawk. 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