{"id":62511,"date":"2021-05-26T03:10:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-26T03:10:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:46:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:46:26","slug":"navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/","title":{"rendered":"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Navy is overhauling its primary flight training curriculum for the first time in more than 50 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal is to produce more capable young aviators and get them to the fleet faster and more efficiently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do that, the sea service is totally revamping how it trains student pilots by capitalizing on modern technology<\/a>, providing more one-on-one instruction and mentoring, and moving beyond the linear progression of the traditional learning environment to a student-focused model in which learning and skill development is tailored to the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Naval Aviation Training Next\u2013Project Avenger, the new prototype training program, aims to reduce the length of time it takes to train students by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Avenger name is a nod to former President George H.W. Bush, who flew the Grumman TBM Avenger, a torpedo bomber, in World War II.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After kicking off the prototype program in September 2020, the Navy\u2019s first class of 19 student naval aviators wrapped up their Project Avenger training at Training Air Wing 4, Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, April 1, and the Navy is now welcoming a new class of Project Avenger students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProject Avenger is revolutionizing Naval Aviation undergraduate primary flight training,\u201d said Rear Adm. Robert Westendorff, chief of Naval Air Training, in a recent news release. \u201cOur innovative team developed, refined and implemented the program and this first class of primary completers is a testament to the entire team\u2019s hard work and dedication.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faced with a shortage of pilots, particularly fighter pilots, the military services have been looking for ways to get student aviators through the training pipeline more quickly while taking full advantage of the cutting-edge technology hitting the marketplace, to include virtual reality headsets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
201023-N-OU681-1091 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Oct. 23, 2020) Navy Lt. Billy Morse, an instructor pilot assigned to the “Boomers” of Training Squadron (VT) 27, taxis behind two student naval aviators for a T-6B Texan II formation flight from Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Oct. 23. VT-27 conducts undergraduate primary flight training for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and select international military partners. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Michelle Tucker\/Released)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lt. Cmdr. Josh Calhoun, Project Avenger officer in charge, said CNATRA was tasked in January 2020 with modernizing the Navy\u2019s primary flight training syllabus based off the Air Force\u2019s Pilot Training Next program<\/a>, which integrates virtual reality, artificial intelligence and advanced biometrics. That initiative laid the groundwork for the Air Force\u2019s latest version of the training, called Undergraduate Pilot Training 2.5, which graduated its first class of 10 students in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe took their model and said, \u2018OK, let\u2019s make it ours as far as Navy training,\u201d Calhoun told Navy Times. \u201cAnd so we built from there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Avenger departs from the traditional primary flight training in several key areas including syllabus flexibility, the increased use of virtual reality trainers and simulators, and a smaller class size for optimal personalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rather than a mountain of papers, books and checklists, each Project Avenger student received a tablet with on-demand access to aviation-specific apps and pre-loaded course content, according to the Navy. Students also used the tablets for flight planning, briefing and in-flight navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cVirtual reality and mixed reality trainers, and 360-degree videos, allow students to witness real-world flight training events, for example, an engine stall or recovery from a tailspin,\u201d according to a Navy release. \u201cPairing these virtual reality trainer devices with realistic flight controls increases aircraft procedural familiarity before a student ever steps into the cockpit of the primary trainer aircraft \u2014 the T-6B Texan II.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whereas the traditional syllabus is event driven, Project Avenger\u2019s syllabus is driven by student performance. If a student has mastered one skill, but needs more work on another, the virtual reality headsets allow them to devote extra time to it. Students advance once they achieve a certain proficiency level determined by mathematical grades and instructor confidence. That means students could conduct their first solo flight after completing eight events rather than the usual 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calhoun said students were divided into two groups in the morning where one group would fly while the other group had down time in which they could study and access a virtual reality trainer to prepare for the event they would fly in the afternoon. After the first group of students completed their flights, instructors would then assign them homework to complete using the virtual reality trainers to target areas of weakness from their morning flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would say it\u2019s a bit like a video game, and I hate to say that, but that\u2019s kind of what it is,\u201d Calhoun said of the virtual reality trainers. \u201cIt\u2019s a 360-degree goggle headset that you put on, and then you\u2019re seated in almost a commercial video game chair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
190321-N-ZA072-0005 \rCORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (March 21, 2019) Wilfred Merkel, simulator requirements officer for the Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), provides guidance to 2nd Lt. Liam Wells, a student naval aviator assigned to the “Rangers” of Training Squadron 28. Merkel was selected as CNATRA Headquarters’ 2018 Senior Civilian of the Year. He was instrumental in the T-6 and TH-57 simulator upgrade effort, acting as expert and liason between CNATRA, Naval Air Systems Command, and industry. (U.S. Navy Photo by 1st Lt. Pawel Puczko\/Released)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

When you stack the VR simulator up against older, legacy simulators \u2014 the kind that use projectors and hydraulics to move mock cockpits around \u2014 the difference is like watching a movie on an IMAX screen versus a 32-inch television, Air Force officials have said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere\u2019s a reason that people go to IMAX theaters,\u201d Maj. Scott Van De Water, deputy director of the Air Force Pilot Training Next program, told Air Force Times in 2018. \u201cWhen you go to an IMAX theater, and you\u2019re watching the Blue Angels fly in formation, there\u2019s a level of immersiveness. You look around, and you\u2019re with the Blue Angels. That is compelling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, student pilots wearing the VR headsets see nothing but the virtual environment enveloping them and hear the sounds pumped into their ears. This makes it easier for the students\u2019 brains start to react as if they were actually in a cockpit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Laying the groundwork<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the virtual reality trainers aren\u2019t best suited to prepare students with the muscle memory to physically operate an aircraft, Calhoun said they lay the groundwork for students mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is not a substitute for our traditional simulators, the operational flight trainer. \u2026 It\u2019s not a good thing to train your hands and feet, but it\u2019s a great thing to train your brain \u2014 how we\u2019re going to operate the airplane and where we\u2019re going to go,\u201d Calhoun said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Project Avenger students spent approximately six weeks training before getting into a T-6B II, the tandem-seat, turboprop trainer for beginninng Navy and Marine Corps pilots. That\u2019s up from the three to four weeks of training for traditional primary flight students. Even so, Calhoun noted that Project Avenger students \u201cwere expected to do more once they got into the plane.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, they were supposed to know basic instrument approach procedures on their first flight, and most Project Avenger students were successful in that endeavor, Calhoun said. A traditional student, on the other hand, would not yet have received that training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another fundamental shift was student access to instructors. Seven instructors worked directly with the small group of Project Avenger students, and the instructors worked closely together to craft individual strategies for each student\u2019s progression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That setup \u2014 in comparison to the usual 100 to 120-person squadron \u2014 was \u201cpart of the magic\u201d behind Project Avenger and allowed students to receive personalized training, Calhoun said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Lt. Dalton Webster (left) and Ensign Aulden Eatmon conduct preflight inspections prior to a training exercise in the T-6A Texan II aircraft. Webster and Eatmon are currently with the “Wildcats” of Training Squadron (VT) 10 based at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. (U.S Navy photo by CNATRA Public Affairs\/Released)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cProject Avenger had a classroom where all of the instructors and students worked,\u201d said Ensign Andrew Harding, a student pilot, in a Navy news release. \u201cThis atmosphere allowed for a continuous learning experience where students were constantly asking questions and building a firm foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Navy hopes Project Avenger will reduce the total time it takes to produce a naval aviator, a task that comes as the Navy copes with a shortage<\/a> of nearly 100 fighter pilots in the fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The traditional syllabus takes students approximately 29 weeks to complete, and Project Avenger students didn\u2019t dramatically depart from that timeline \u2014 although the February winter storms that plagued Texas and the COVID-19 pandemic affected how long it took them complete all the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were able to shorten the training time a little bit,\u201d Calhoun said. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t a lot this time. But we produced, I think \u2014 we\u2019ll see what happens as these students continue flight training \u2014 I think we produced a better aviator.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next steps<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CNATRA graduated 970 pilots from the strike, tilt-rotor, rotary and maritime pipelines in 2020, and expects to increase that number to 1,206 in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students in the first Project Avenger class were randomly selected, but those with previous experience may be chosen in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt was a purely random selection, and the process will be similar next time,\u201d Calhoun said. \u201cThis class did not include any students with prior flight time, so we may select a few students with prior flight experience to see how much of a difference this program makes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next round of Project Avenger students are getting settled in now, and will be divided into two classes of 12 students. While Training Air Wing 4 is the only unit offering Project Avenger, Training Air Wing 5 at Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida will start teaching the updated curriculum this summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The first students enrolled in Naval Aviation Training Next-Project Avenger receive briefings from dedicated instructors. (Anne Owens\/U.S. Navy)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Project Avenger students, who were assigned to the \u201cBoomers\u201d of VT-27 and the \u201cRangers\u201d of VT-28, were not measured against traditional primary flight students. But the Navy tracked training time and flight-related data such as number of approaches and flights, and the Navy will continue to track their progress as they move through advanced training and out into the fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The service plans to expand upon this modernized approach to other phases of flight school beyond primary training \u2014 all falling under the Naval Aviation Training Next program umbrella. That includes Project Hellcat, a T-6B strike intermediate syllabus, and Project Corsair, an advanced T-45C Goshawk strike syllabus, along with programs for the other aviation pipelines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ideally, shortened training times will become evident in those later phases, Calhoun said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ultimately, Calhoun said, Project Avenger will become the standard training for student naval aviators in primary flight training. But a few more iterations of the program are needed before the Navy puts its final stamp of approval on Project Avenger as the best method to train future naval aviators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEventually, we\u2019re going to figure out what the right answer is, and this is just going to become or bleed into the traditional primary syllabus. \u2026 I think we\u2019ve got a couple of iterations before we get it right enough,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe certainly didn\u2019t get there with round one,\u201d Calhoun said. \u201cWe\u2019ll make improvements, we\u2019ll go to round two. We\u2019ll see what happens with round three, and then we can move forward and see if we can make Project Avenger our standard syllabus.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
201112-N-OU681-1070 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (Nov. 12, 2020) Student Naval Aviator Navy Ensign Lawson Stancil, seated, and Instructor Pilot Marine Capt. Terrance Davis conduct preflight checks on a T-6B Texan II aircraft before Stancil’s first flight as part of Naval Aviation Training Next – Project Avenger at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Nov. 12, 2020. Project Avenger is a prototype syllabus designed to train student naval aviators to a greater level of proficiency in a shorter period of time than the traditional syllabus to increase fleet aviator availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Michelle Tucker\/Released)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":69840,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-noindex":"","_yoast_wpseo_meta-robots-nofollow":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_acf":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":88,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_smg_distribution_targets":[]},"categories":[143,29,116,15,35,88],"tags":[],"coauthors":[3452],"class_list":["post-62511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-good-news-report","category-home","category-left-column","category-news","category-newsletters","category-your-military"],"acf":{"subheadline":"","legacy_arc_id":"GIZMD6REPJF3TFX7PKZ5V72ELM","arc_canonical_url":"\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/05\/25\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/","remove_feature_photo":false,"is_sponsored":false,"subtype":"","redirect_url":"","disable_inline_ads":false,"native_logo_pretext":"Presented By:"},"yoast_head":"\nNavy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators - Military Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Military Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-05-26T03:10:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-08-08T19:46:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Diana Stancy\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Diana Stancy\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\n\t \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n\t \"@graph\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"Article\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#article\",\n\t \"isPartOf\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/\"\n\t },\n\t \"author\": {\n\t \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\"\n\t },\n\t \"headline\": \"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators\",\n\t \"datePublished\": \"2021-05-26T03:10:26+00:00\",\n\t \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T19:46:26+00:00\",\n\t \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/\"\n\t },\n\t \"wordCount\": 2053,\n\t \"commentCount\": 0,\n\t \"publisher\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t },\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t },\n\t \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Main.jpg.jpg\",\n\t \"articleSection\": [\n\t \"Good News Report\",\n\t \"Home\",\n\t \"Left Column\",\n\t \"News\",\n\t \"Newsletters\",\n\t \"Your Military\"\n\t ],\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"potentialAction\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"CommentAction\",\n\t \"name\": \"Comment\",\n\t \"target\": [\n\t \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#respond\"\n\t ]\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/\",\n\t \"name\": \"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators - Military Times\",\n\t \"isPartOf\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#website\"\n\t },\n\t \"primaryImageOfPage\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t },\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#primaryimage\"\n\t },\n\t \"thumbnailUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Main.jpg.jpg\",\n\t \"datePublished\": \"2021-05-26T03:10:26+00:00\",\n\t \"dateModified\": \"2026-08-08T19:46:26+00:00\",\n\t \"description\": \"The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.\",\n\t \"breadcrumb\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#breadcrumb\"\n\t },\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"potentialAction\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ReadAction\",\n\t \"target\": [\n\t \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/\"\n\t ]\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#primaryimage\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Main.jpg.jpg\",\n\t \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/08\\\/Main.jpg.jpg\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/2021\\\/05\\\/26\\\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\\\/#breadcrumb\",\n\t \"itemListElement\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 1,\n\t \"name\": \"Home\",\n\t \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/\",\n\t \"ad_zone\": \"home\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 2,\n\t \"name\": \"News\",\n\t \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/\",\n\t \"ad_zone\": \"news\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 3,\n\t \"name\": \"Your Military\",\n\t \"item\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/news\\\/your-military\\\/\",\n\t \"ad_zone\": \"your-military\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\n\t \"position\": 4,\n\t \"name\": \"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators\"\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"WebSite\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#website\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/\",\n\t \"name\": \"Military Times\",\n\t \"description\": \"Independent News About Your Military | Military Times\",\n\t \"publisher\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#organization\"\n\t },\n\t \"potentialAction\": [\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"SearchAction\",\n\t \"target\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"EntryPoint\",\n\t \"urlTemplate\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"\n\t },\n\t \"query-input\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"PropertyValueSpecification\",\n\t \"valueRequired\": true,\n\t \"valueName\": \"search_term_string\"\n\t }\n\t }\n\t ],\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\"\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#organization\",\n\t \"name\": \"Military Times\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/\",\n\t \"logo\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/military-logo-white.png\",\n\t \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/military-logo-white.png\",\n\t \"caption\": \"Military Times\"\n\t },\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"\n\t }\n\t },\n\t {\n\t \"@type\": \"Person\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1\",\n\t \"name\": \"migration\",\n\t \"image\": {\n\t \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\t \"inLanguage\": \"en-US\",\n\t \"@id\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec\",\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t \"contentUrl\": \"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\n\t \"caption\": \"migration\"\n\t },\n\t \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/one.sightlinemg.com\\\/militarytimes\\\/author\\\/migration\\\/\"\n\t }\n\t ]\n\t}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators - Military Times","description":"The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators","og_description":"The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.","og_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/","og_site_name":"Military Times","article_published_time":"2021-05-26T03:10:26+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-08-08T19:46:26+00:00","author":"Diana Stancy","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Diana Stancy","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/"},"author":{"name":"migration","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1"},"headline":"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators","datePublished":"2021-05-26T03:10:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T19:46:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/"},"wordCount":2053,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main.jpg.jpg","articleSection":["Good News Report","Home","Left Column","News","Newsletters","Your Military"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/","name":"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators - Military Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main.jpg.jpg","datePublished":"2021-05-26T03:10:26+00:00","dateModified":"2026-08-08T19:46:26+00:00","description":"The prototype aims to strengthen flight training for student pilots while reducing the time it takes by combining traditional classroom instruction and flying time in the T-6B Texan II with virtual and mixed-reality trainers, artificial intelligence, tablets and aviation apps.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main.jpg.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main.jpg.jpg"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2021\/05\/26\/navys-new-project-avenger-flight-training-program-aims-to-produce-stronger-aviators\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/","ad_zone":"home"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"News","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/","ad_zone":"news"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Your Military","item":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/","ad_zone":"your-military"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"Navy\u2019s new \u2018Project Avenger\u2019 flight training program aims to produce stronger aviators"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#website","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/","name":"Military Times","description":"Independent News About Your Military | Military Times","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#organization","name":"Military Times","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/military-logo-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/military-logo-white.png","caption":"Military Times"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/#\/schema\/person\/cc76c831bb37a926738c8391fca7a3b1","name":"migration","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=gcf4cb6ee0ec29e49e7a963234e4340ec","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/9e8d47be443ce94ce7fc357677b5f9c70235bb1f59e7267a102a74af58c04f59?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"migration"},"url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/author\/migration\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Military Times","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes","push-errors":false,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Main.jpg.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62511"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62511\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62513,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62511\/revisions\/62513"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62511"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=62511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}