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Sheppard students begin training in T-6 Texan II

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As an early morning sun began to peek over the horizon Aug. 29, a new era in undergraduate pilot training also dawned at the 80th Flying Training Wing.

The first class of UPT students to train in the T-6A Texan II went up for the first time -- affectionately called the "dollar ride" -- in the wing's newest introductory aircraft. The Texan II is replacing the more than 50-year-old T-37 Tweet.

Six student sorties, or training missions, were scheduled for the 89th Flying Training squadron. Second Lieutenant Jeremy Curbey was one of the first students to experience the T-6A.

"I'm glad to be part (of the new program)," said the former Air Force Thunderbirds Demonstration team crew chief. "It's like starting a new career."

Col. David Petersen, 80th FTW commander, said in a January interview that this next generation of introductory training aircraft will enhance the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program and the skills of those graduating from the multi-nationally run course.

"(This is a) great step forward for the ENJJPT program," Colonel Petersen said. "It's a more modern aircraft that will allow for better training. (The T-6) can do everything the T-37 can do and more."

Colonel Petersen said with its modern avionics, onboard global positioning system, built-in parachute and a pressurized cockpit, the Texan will provide a more seamless transition when it comes time for pilots to take flight in the T-38C Talon. The colonel is no stranger to the T-6A. He flew the T-6 during his time as the 47th Operations Group commander at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.

Capt. Chris Breffitt, the instructor pilot for Lieutenant Curbey's flight, said although the ENJJPT has a new aircraft, how the Air Force trains pilots hasn't changed.

"Our goal is the same as it was 50 years ago -- to produce the best fighter pilots in the world," he said.

The first two T-6s arrived in January and were used to train maintenance personnel with Lier Siegler Services, Inc. More aircraft began to arrive in March and about 70 Texan IIs will replace the aging Tweet. The transition should be complete by December 2009.