The 37th FTS provides quantity, quality

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Vincent Espinoza
  • 14th Operations Support Squadron
The mission of “Cultivate Airmen, Create Pilots, Connect” is vital to the future of Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The demand for pilots has become greater than ever before, and in order to accommodate, Columbus AFB has implemented a new mission and syllabus for its student pilots.

"The Air Force has decided it needs more pilots,” said Capt. Ben Scott, 37th Flying Training Squadron assistant chief of evaluations. “To do that, you have to make adjustments and come up with a modern way to produce them at that quantity, while still retaining the quality that we have. The new syllabus is still a work in progress. Once we get everything fully nailed down, I do believe it will work to produce the same quality, while increasing the quantity that they're looking for.”

Once student pilots complete their academic phase, they can advance to the 37th FTS, which is one of two active-duty T-6 Texan II squadrons, to conduct their initial flight training.

“As a flying training squadron, we are at the core of the "create" piece of the 14th FTW mission,” Scott said. “People may not think it's as important as dropping bombs or delivering cargo, but we have one of the most pivotal roles in developing the future. It's a big responsibility in that regard."

Every student pilot follows a standard syllabus throughout their T-6 training until they advance to the next airframe. Before they can advance, each student must pass a ‘check ride.’ This flight is the final determination if the student’s flying ability is up to standard for the curriculum.

"My role as a check instructor pilot is in evaluation and standardization," Scott said. "When students approach their check rides, we determine if that student is ready to progress to the next phase of flight or if they need to repeat and be reevaluated."

Check pilots are unaware of student’s past performances so they may conduct unbiased evaluations.

"I've seen great check rides and I've seen poor check rides, but before they arrive for a check flight, they have a clean slate," Scott said. "A struggling student may have their best flight so far and vice versa. We evaluate through the course training standards and not let any bias affect results."

Student pilots on the new syllabus know what’s expected of them and what the new mission statement means.

“Our responsibility is about the fundamental skills of an aviator,” said 2nd Lt. Mikayla Scarboro, 37th FTS student pilot. “Learning things like how to fly an airplane, talk to air traffic control and basic Airmanship. That allows us to go into the T-38 Talon and T-1 Jayhawk squadrons to broaden our skills.”

There are also many challenges associated with pilot training, but it’s not without reward.

“Sometimes the rewards are few and far between and I think it’s intended to be that way to keep you focused,” Scarboro said. “I think their intent is to make us want to learn more and become better aviators. The biggest reward for me is seeing the improvement in myself.”

The 37th FTS mission extends beyond training and into other communities.

On Sept. 8, four T-6s flew over the Notre Dame Stadium before the kickoff of the Notre Dame versus Ball State football game in South Bend, Indiana.

“It was a great opportunity for instructors,” Scott said. “It challenged us to hit a target on time and also to look good right at the end of the national anthem. It also gave us the chance to showcase to a community that’s far from Columbus and doesn’t see planes buzzing around every day. Finally, it showed what we do as a training base and showcased the aircraft we have.”

Not only does the flyover provide an opportunity to branch out to other communities, it also presents a recruiting opportunity.

“It put that recruiting on display for everyone in the audience that day,” Scott said. “It was a chance for us to connect to future aviators.”