« Responder #624 em: Setembro 15, 2023, 04:40:38 am »
Hundreds of Airmen Stuck Waiting To Start Pilot Training As Shortage Persists(11 de Setembro de 2023)
While some future Air Force pilots wait for cockpits to open up so they can start training, they’re doing everything from public affairs to marshaling aircraft on the flight line, the head of the 19th Air Force said recently—highlighting the persistent problems the service faces in trying to reduce its pilot shortage.
As of Aug. 25, more than 900 Airmen are waiting to enter the pilot training pipeline, according to 19th Air Force data. Roughly a quarter have been waiting less than three months, but most are between three and nine months. Another quarter—around 220 people—have been stuck even longer.
"Wings will have these lieutenants that are waiting pilot training work in their PA shop," Maj. Gen. Clark Quinn said during a briefing with reporters. "They will have them work in their command post, doing reporting. They will actually take some of them and teach them how to not necessarily do aircraft maintenance, but put them out on the flight line and marshal aircraft in and park, and get them connected to the mission. So they are kept gainfully employed unless they choose to take some leave and obviously take some time off."
A spokesperson later added that future pilots also knock out their survival training while they wait. Some are assigned to earn postgraduate degrees.
The total number of those waiting is down slightly from a peak of more than 1,000, Quinn said. The Air Force is limited in part by the availability of its training aircraft, all of which entered service at least two decades ago.
The T-38 Talon, in particular, used to train future fighter and bomber pilots, is "frankly, struggling," Quinn said. Production of the T-38 ended in 1972.
"The mission capable rates of the T-38 are not good," Quinn added, noting that engine problems have forced the 19th Air Force to limit flying hours—and, in turn, prevented it from reaching its goal of producing 1,500 pilots per year.
The T-38 is not alone in experiencing issues, however. A batch of T-6 Texan IIs were damaged in a recent storm at Vance Air Force Base, Okla., Quinn said. And the service is in the process of retiring the T-1 Jayhawk, with aircraft already heading to the Boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.
Long term, the Air Force plans to replace the T-38 with the T-7 Red Hawk, an advanced new trainer currently undergoing flight testing. However, the Red Hawk has been delayed several times through development and is now not expected to reach initial operational capability until 2027.
[continua]
Fonte:
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/airmen-waiting-pilot-training-shortage/Air Force Pilot Shortage and Delays (14 de Setembro de 2023)
Cumprimentos,
