F-16 - v455AEW - Training Overview
The 455 vAEW - offers several F-16 training courses and tracks.
Initial Qualification and Re-qualification Training.
Formal training is conducted in the v8th Fighter Squadron "Black Sheep" which serves as the wing´s formal training unit (FTU) for our USAF fixed wing assets.
Following successful completion of formal training, the pilot earns a Basic Aircrew Qualification (BAQ) and is transfered to a line unit, in this case the 561st vFS "Black Knights, where they will continue to train to the F-16 Block 50 mission.
Initial training in the 561st consists of mission qualification training (MQT) where upon completion, the upgrading pilot will be certified mission ready.
Additional continuation training (CT) is also conducted in the 561st. These are various upgrade programs such as Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG), Instructor Pilot Upgrade (IPUG), Mission Commander etc. In addition to these upgrades, pilots can stay ontop of their currencies in the Ready Aircrew Program (RAP).
B-course
Every student's syllabus is tailored. The student is then placed on one of several tracks.
The Basic course (or B-course) is intended for those with no previous fighter experience, or those who want the full experience. This is 56 sorties at the moment excluding "SIM" rides.
Track 1A and 1B - these are tracks for pilots who are either coming back to the F-16 but have been out of the game for an extended period of time, or up to 8 years or, if they have between 300-1000 hours previous Fighter/Attack experience and been non-current for 42 months to 8 years.
Pilots typically go to track 1A if they need AA focus ( e.g. if they are coming from an A10), or Track 1B if they need AG focus, for example, coming from an F-14.
Track 2 - is intended for those with more then 750 hours in the F-16 but have been non-current for 51 months to 8 years or, If they have less then 750 hours in the F-16 and have been non current for more then 12 months, up to 8 years.
Track 3 - For those who have only been non current on the F-16 for a period of 12-51 months, and have at least 750 hours in the F-16.
Ready Aircrew Program
Typically we have found that training in the simulation world, that for people who are not instructing (and thus repeating training) on regular basis, pilot's skillset tend to atrophy as time progresses due to lack of available structured training. Borrowing the USAF's Ready Aircrew Program is a way to mitigate this in an attempt to keep crucial skillsets from fading.
The 455th provides a currency tracker so that pilots can track how long ago a certain skillset was last accomplished. Some items need to be repeated more often then other to stay current. In doing this, pilots get an overview of where they are about to go non current, and can put together mission profiles to fill-up on those currencies. Matching their currencies with their wingmen - they can then squeeze the most out of a sortie to top up.
Rate wins the fight (sometimes!)
We consider Combat Mission Readiness (CMR) and Basic Mission Capable (BMC) rate indicators, i.e how many "reps" pilots are getting in to stay current. To hold a CMR will usually demand a higher flying rate at a minimum, then BMC. Depending on how much a pilot flies per month, on average over a set period of time, whilst still maintaining the RAP currencies, determines what category a pilot is in.
Upgrade Programs
Upgrade programs within the 455th include Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG), Instructor Pilot Upgrade (IPUG), Mission Commander (MC) upgrade and various other specialties, Weapons School upgrade and Weapons school Instructor Couse (WUG, WIC).
F-16 training in the 455th vAEW is continously evolving. The ultimate goal aim is to provide an environment where pilots can apply their skillsets on virtual deployments, maximize teamwork and lethality, and come back with no losses.
Initial Qualification and Re-qualification Training.
Formal training is conducted in the v8th Fighter Squadron "Black Sheep" which serves as the wing´s formal training unit (FTU) for our USAF fixed wing assets.
Following successful completion of formal training, the pilot earns a Basic Aircrew Qualification (BAQ) and is transfered to a line unit, in this case the 561st vFS "Black Knights, where they will continue to train to the F-16 Block 50 mission.
Initial training in the 561st consists of mission qualification training (MQT) where upon completion, the upgrading pilot will be certified mission ready.
Additional continuation training (CT) is also conducted in the 561st. These are various upgrade programs such as Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG), Instructor Pilot Upgrade (IPUG), Mission Commander etc. In addition to these upgrades, pilots can stay ontop of their currencies in the Ready Aircrew Program (RAP).
B-course
Every student's syllabus is tailored. The student is then placed on one of several tracks.
The Basic course (or B-course) is intended for those with no previous fighter experience, or those who want the full experience. This is 56 sorties at the moment excluding "SIM" rides.
Track 1A and 1B - these are tracks for pilots who are either coming back to the F-16 but have been out of the game for an extended period of time, or up to 8 years or, if they have between 300-1000 hours previous Fighter/Attack experience and been non-current for 42 months to 8 years.
Pilots typically go to track 1A if they need AA focus ( e.g. if they are coming from an A10), or Track 1B if they need AG focus, for example, coming from an F-14.
Track 2 - is intended for those with more then 750 hours in the F-16 but have been non-current for 51 months to 8 years or, If they have less then 750 hours in the F-16 and have been non current for more then 12 months, up to 8 years.
Track 3 - For those who have only been non current on the F-16 for a period of 12-51 months, and have at least 750 hours in the F-16.
Ready Aircrew Program
Typically we have found that training in the simulation world, that for people who are not instructing (and thus repeating training) on regular basis, pilot's skillset tend to atrophy as time progresses due to lack of available structured training. Borrowing the USAF's Ready Aircrew Program is a way to mitigate this in an attempt to keep crucial skillsets from fading.
The 455th provides a currency tracker so that pilots can track how long ago a certain skillset was last accomplished. Some items need to be repeated more often then other to stay current. In doing this, pilots get an overview of where they are about to go non current, and can put together mission profiles to fill-up on those currencies. Matching their currencies with their wingmen - they can then squeeze the most out of a sortie to top up.
Rate wins the fight (sometimes!)
We consider Combat Mission Readiness (CMR) and Basic Mission Capable (BMC) rate indicators, i.e how many "reps" pilots are getting in to stay current. To hold a CMR will usually demand a higher flying rate at a minimum, then BMC. Depending on how much a pilot flies per month, on average over a set period of time, whilst still maintaining the RAP currencies, determines what category a pilot is in.
Upgrade Programs
Upgrade programs within the 455th include Flight Lead Upgrade (FLUG), Instructor Pilot Upgrade (IPUG), Mission Commander (MC) upgrade and various other specialties, Weapons School upgrade and Weapons school Instructor Couse (WUG, WIC).
F-16 training in the 455th vAEW is continously evolving. The ultimate goal aim is to provide an environment where pilots can apply their skillsets on virtual deployments, maximize teamwork and lethality, and come back with no losses.