Student flies last T-37 training mission

by John Ingle, 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- A familiar noise was missing from the 80th Flying Training Wing's aircraft parking ramp at about 2:30 p.m. June 17, one that has been prevalent in the Air Force's pilot training mission for 50 years -- the high-pitched screech of the T-37B Tweet.

The final student training mission began at 1 p.m., marking the last time an Air Force pilot will begin their career in the introductory jet.

Second Lt. Trevor Kernes, 89th Flying Training Squadron student pilot, said he was honored to be part of the historical event.

"Anyone of these guys deserves it," the future Ohio National Guardsman said. "To be chosen out of some of the best in the world is an honor. I'm humbled."

Lieutenant Kernes, a former forward air traffic controller who served in Afghanistan after 9/11 and was part of the initial push into Iraq in 2003, said the Tweet was fun to fly and a good training platform.

"I'm sorry for the T-6A (Texan II) student pilots," he said, "because they didn't get to fly the T-37."

Since 1959, more than 78,000 Air Force pilots have flown the venerable Tweet. The T-37 began its extraordinary flight into history in 1956 when it became an active aircraft in the U.S. Air Force inventory becoming operational in 1959.

The 80th FTW is the last organization in the Air Force to use the airframe.

Col. David Petersen, 80th FTW commander, said the durable aircraft lived up to expectations and then some.

"It's been a great trainer for 50 years," he said. "Right up to the end, it's been a good aircraft."

Lt. Col. Doug Antcliff, 19th Air Force standards and evaluation pilot, flew the Tweet for the last 11 years. He said the aircraft is the same today as it was in 1991 when he was a student pilot, however, it doesn't make it any easier to see an "old friend" retire.

"There is nothing new of that airplane," he said of the aircraft's technology. "But, I'm sad to see it go because it is a true workhorse."

The Tweet officially retires from active service July 31. The 80th FTW began training student pilots Aug. 29, 2008, in the Tweet's replacement the Texan II.

Flash -- USAF Aircraft Crashes - Both Pilots Killed

USAF Photo

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- Two pilots were killed May 1 in a T-38C Talon crash at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. A T-38C assigned to the 80th Flying Training Wing crashed at about 7:45 a.m. The cause of the crash is under investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.

Sheppard officials begin replacing T-37s with T-6A Texan II

by John Ingle, 80th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
89th Flying Training Squadron instructor pilot Capt. Brian Wood taxis up to the chocks March 31, marking the official arrival of the T-6A Texan II, the replacement for the antiquated T-37 Tweet, to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Also in the aircraft was Italian Brig. Gen. Franco Marsiglia, the incoming Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program Steering Committee chairman. A total of 69 T-6s will replace 74 T-37s. (U.S. Air Force photo/Harry Tonemah)

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The T-37 Tweet officially began its march toward full retirement March 31 when 80th Flying Training Wing officials here "took the car keys" to its replacement, the T-6A Texan II.

Retired Navy Rear Adm. James Maslowski, the vice president of government business for Hawker Beechcraft in Wichita, Kan., presented Col. David Petersen, the 80th FTW commander, with a set of keys, a ceremonial gesture signifying the wing's acceptance of the first two trainers.

"We are pleased that you are beginning training in the T-6, but it also marks the end of a historical aircraft, the T-37," Admiral Maslowski said

Sheppard Air Force Base currently has eight T-6As on its ramp, but will receive a total of 69 over the next 18 months. Base officials have 74 T-37s at this time.

The two aircraft taxied up to a vintage AT-6 Texan a little after 3 p.m. Colonel Petersen piloted the first aircraft, with Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Steering Committee Chairman Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Commodore Peter Berlijn in the back seat. The second T-6A was piloted by Capt. Brian Wood, an instructor pilot at the 89th Flying Training Squadron. Italian Brig. Gen. Franco Marsiglia, the steering committee's incoming chairman, was also in the second aircraft.

The T-37 began service in the Air Force in 1956, but didn't arrive at Sheppard AFB until 1966. It's been the primary introductory pilot training aircraft since. The more than 50-year-old aircraft, while reliable, has antiquated avionics that doesn't provide a realistic approach for today's undergraduate pilot trainees.

"The avionics of the T-37, all the instrumentation, is from that era," Colonel Petersen said. "We've made great advancements in how we do our instrument flying and this airplane (the T-6A) is really laid out like future cockpits would be."

The colonel said the tandem -- or front seat, back seat -- configuration and advanced instrumentation provides for an easy transition into the advanced pilot training aircraft, the T-38C Talon.

Another plus for pilot trainees in Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training is the ability to "fly" numerous times before touching the aircraft. The advancement of flight simulation technologies provides realistic situations for student pilots in a controlled environment.

Air Commodore Berlijn said although the introduction of the T-6A into the program was primarily a decision by the U.S. Air Force, NATO countries participating in the program will benefit from the new training aircraft.

The T-6A is an important milestone because it shows Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training is "very healthy" and a "very good program," he said. "It's very much alive. It's very healthy, and it will be healthy in the future with great assistance like the T-6A."

The T-6A was named the Texan because it was built in Grand Prairie, Texas. Like the Texan II, the original Texan was used as a primary trainer, but in the area of aerial combat maneuvers.

Sheppard AFB officials received two Texan II aircraft in January to begin training Lier Siegler Services, Inc., maintainers. Instructor pilots at the wing are currently training on the aircraft and students should begin flying it in the fall.