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Do USAF pilots go through any kind of parachute training/jump school, other than just learning how to "tighten the straps" ??? Any info please. Thanks people!

"Speed puts me in the zone."

In general, pilots do not go to jump school. Falling out the plane is the easy part, it is landing that you need to be good at. We do practice para-sailing where you are pulled behind a truck (or a boat over water) and practice landing a few times.

At Pope, one of our missions is to support the 82d Division with Battalion Air Liaison Officers (BALOs). These pilots are required to graduate from the Army Air borne School at Ft Benning and maintain currency while assigned as a BALO. The currency is one jump every 3 months, though many of the BALOs do more than the minimum. It is strictly voluntary to be a jump BALO, but in return, they get assignment preference for their next move.

I know it is one of the options at the Academy. Either you jump or you glide 3rd class summer.

<i>Integrity first-service before self-Excellence in all we do</i>

A new program was added to that summer, Global Engagement. It's also a half period, so it's possible to be scheduled for neither jump nor soaring. But you can still get those during the school year.

From the Denver Post:


Article Published: Thursday, May 22, 2003 - 12:00:00 AM MST
Air Force Academy
grounds glider program
over safety concerns

By Erin Emery, Denver Post Staff Writer
AIR FORCE ACADEMY - Gliders and motorized gliders
at the Air Force Academy will "stand down" until the 94th
Flying Training Squadron can review operations and
standardization of the new glider and motor glider fleet.

In addition, the academy has launched an investigation into
the culture and leadership within the 94th FTS, Gen. Johnny
Weida, acting superintendent, said in a memo Tuesday to
cadets.

The academy's 17 gliders were grounded Friday on the
recommendation of Lt. Col. Hal Hoxie, commander of the
34th Operations Group, which oversees the 94th FTS.
Weida concurred.

The academy's soaring program is the most active in the
United States, flying more than 30,000 sorties a year.
Cadets soar in the gliders to get a hands-on flying
experience. They begin with basic aircraft maneuvers, and
after 10 to 15 flights, depending on their proficiency, fly
solo.

In the memo, Weida said that "several events occurred in
recent weeks that raised the risk of the 94 FTS flying
operation to an unacceptable level."

The academy's public affairs office did not know what
those events were. John VanWinkle, an academy
spokesman, said the fleet has been idled as a "proactive
safety measure. Safety is very big in the Air Force. We're
going to do whatever we can to prevent an accident or
damage to any aircraft."

The last glider accident occurred in a TG-10 aircraft in
October. The cadet pilot parachuted to safety.

Weida said the academy will not fly gliders or motor gliders
until standards are "complete, comprehensive and
understood by all operators."

"Pilots, cadets and officers have identified incomplete
information critical to safe and effective flying operations,
and we won't turn a wheel until we get the guidance pilots
need to safely execute their mission," Weida said in the
memo.

Leadership and culture issues are under review, Weida
wrote, because "enough questions have arisen to compel
me to direct an independent investigation to substantiate
fact from fiction. This is an extremely serious step, and the
end result is currently unclear. One thing that is very clear
is this: We all must completely and honestly support this
investigation. This is a necessary and painful operation that
will, in the end, make us even stronger and healthier -
regardless of its outcome."

Last May and July, the academy received a new fleet of
gliders, including the TG-10B, TG-10C, TG-10D, and
TG-14.

"Any time you get a new aircraft, it's a growing process,"
VanWinkle said. "Safety is an overriding concern; if there
is even a hint of a problem, we decide to put a hiatus on
operations."

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_________________
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- Thomas Jefferson

Im getting a bit irked at all the changes happening at the school. They are changing the "Bring me men" ramp to I think "Bring me soldiers" or some politically correct multi gender bullshit like that, they moved R day up to november, they changed the AFA UPT program planes. Now this. I'm not too worried about this one though cause it seems just like maintenance and clearance issues. I did know about the GE summer program, sounds like fun. I know you can either soar or jump during the year.

<i>Integrity first-service before self-Excellence in all we do</i>

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Im getting a bit irked at all the changes happening at the school. They are changing the "Bring me men" ramp to I think "Bring me soldiers" or some politically correct multi gender bullshit like that, they moved R day up to november, they changed the AFA UPT program planes. Now this. I'm not too worried about this one though cause it seems just like maintenance and clearance issues. I did know about the GE summer program, sounds like fun. I know you can either soar or jump during the year.

<i>Integrity first-service before self-Excellence in all we do</i>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

Recognition has been moved up to November!?!?!?!? Holy crap! That's a six month change.