Path to Wings

The 455th vAEWs approach to meeting our mission of developing competent virtual pilots capable of making sound tactical decisions, and valuable contributors to team lethality, is addressed in our Path to Wings program.

Assessment

Our virtual pilots and members come from all walks of life, backgrounds, experience levels, and ambitions. While our primary focus is on the training surrounding the serious employment of the aircraft flown in our line squadrons and the skills developed in IQT and MQT, we aim to provide a complete experience. If you are a beginner new to serious flight simming, we want to be able to help jumpstart your journey. Conversely, if you come with prior experiences, we will assess where we may align and where we may difer. Our process allows for experience tailored instruction while ensuring we maintain the high standards of our wing and subunits.

Choose your Path

We support a variety of DCS and BMS community platforms. Our aircraft are employed in a manner which mirrors their real-world counterparts and respective services. Our training draws inspiration and mirrors the real-world instruction. For candidates interested in participating with the 455th vAEW, the processes and programs are listed in the section below.

Additionally, we are offer a number of non-flying positions and units you may be interested in on a primary or secondary basis. The following units are currently supported:

• 960th vAACS LotAtc is currently utilized, although other programs are being evaluated, to provide airborne control of assets. The 960th supports a variety of missions to include DCA, OCA, CSAR, AI and others. Members of this unit pride themselves on the precise use of vernacular enhancing virtual battlefield situational awareness. IQT and MQT is currently conducted from within the unit with the expectation that members will become rated Airborne Battle Managers (ABMs).
  
  
• 21st vSTS The is primary a JTAC squadron focus on the control and employment of aircraft in a Close Air Support (CA) role. Moreover, the 21st may integrate with or act as the ground force commander (GFC) during combined arms maneuvers enhancing the virtual battle space. IQT and MQT is currently conducted from within the unit with the expectation that members will become certified TACPs.
  
  
• 241st vATCS LotAtc is currently utilized to provide Air Traffic Control Services. IQT and MQT is currently conducted from within the unit with the expectation that members will become certified Air Traffic Control members capable of operating from a variety of duty stations.

Notably the above roles are essential part of what makes the 455th vAEW special, especially during Large Force Exercises (LFEs) or Joint Operations. We value the time of all who participate with us regardless of whether the time was spent from the cockpit or behind the radio.


Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT)

At this time, we are awaiting new DCS modules in this space.

Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF)

This course is the transition course between vUSAF Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT), vEuro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT), or vUSAF T-38 Transition Course and fighter formal training units (FTUs). The course provides four specialized training tracks based on follow-on training assignments. The 455th plans on utilizing T-38 addon modules as they become available, until then - IFF training is conducted in the follow-on airframe.

Initial Qualification Training (IQT)

Basic Course (B-Course) or Transition Courses (TX) depending on prior experience and qualifications. The length of this course varies depending on which track is selected.

Mission Qualification Training (MQT)

Mission qualification training is conducted at the receiving line-unit and is focused preparing pilots for their Basic Mission Capable (BMC) or Combat Mission Ready (CMR) status in the unit´s mission.

Continuation Training (CT)

Following MQT, the Ready Aicrew Program (RAP) is designed maintain currency at BMC or CMR levels.

Continuation Training also includes specailized Training which includes various upgrades, e.g. FLUG, IPUG, MC, WUG/WIC and other programs.


F-16 - Training Overview

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" (DCS) or the 175th vFS "Lobos" (BMS), where they will continue to train to the F-16 Block 50 mission.

Initial training in the 561st or 175th 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 and 175th (BMS). 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.

Continuation Training - Ready Aircrew Program
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.