I took the USAF training program at Beal many years ago. Does the Air Force still offer the program or has it gone the way of all good things in budget cuts? I know the FAA offers it in Oklahoma city. I am taking an Instrument ground school and the others wanted to know if it was still available

Bruce Patton
96S

On Friday, October 17, 2014 1:25:49 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> I took the USAF training program at Beal many years ago. Does the Air Force still offer the program or has it gone the way of all good things in budget cuts? I know the FAA offers it in Oklahoma city. I am taking an Instrument ground school and the others wanted to know if it was still available
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> Bruce Patton
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> 96S

As I understand it, the classroom training, but not the pressure chamber ride, is still available to civilians in some locations. If you want the full USAF chamber experience, that is still available to CAP pilot members.

Here's the list of locations as of 11 years ago.

http://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/airman_education/media/AC%2061-107A.pdf

My husband did the altitude chamber and classroom course at Whidbey Isle NAS (and has been goofy ever since).

Seriously though, invaluable for people like pilots who fly themselves to scuba diving. (Opposite of the bends) We lost a friend and C185 floatplane with no clue what might have happened till the wreck was recovered and found tanks, flippers mask and regulator in the rear. So valuable to know and recognize how your individual physiology responds, especially senior pilots and smokers.

Karen

Also available at Arizona State University. They took over the old Williams Air Force Base facility.

Google "ASU Altitude Chamber"

Their office number is 480-727-1254

As a walk in (non sponsored by a company), expect to pay approx ~$500 if I remember correctly.

Any chamber flight is worth your time.

Britton

I took the training at Beal back in the late 70's and again a few years later. The one item I remember as being a problem for a lot of sailplane pilots was the requirement of some level of an FAA physical. I would check to see if this is still a requirement.
Tom




On Friday, October 17, 2014 1:25:49 PM UTC-6, wrote:
> I took the USAF training program at Beal many years ago. Does the Air Force still offer the program or has it gone the way of all good things in budget cuts? I know the FAA offers it in Oklahoma city. I am taking an Instrument ground school and the others wanted to know if it was still available
>
>
>
> Bruce Patton
>
> 96S