Taking zero-time students into a Bonanza still seems like learning to run
before walking to me. Even the US Air Force Academy doesn't start out their
zero cadets in their T-34's.

Academy flight training on again - Airman's World
Airman, *Feb, 2003 *by Tech. Sgt. Ken Wright

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.-After a five-year absence from the Academy
airfield, the school's introductory flight training is at full throttle
again.
In November, 12 second lieutenants from the class of 2002 became the
first fledgling pilots to take part in the new program.
The academy started training pilots in the 1960s. But after three cadets
and three instructors died in 1997 accidents, the program was suspended.
Then the Air Force started to see attrition rates skyrocket at
specialized undergraduate pilot training bases. That sent a clear
message for the need to restart the program, Air Force officials said.
The program prescreens cadets before they go to specialized
undergraduate pilot training. That one-year training is costly.
"Without a prescreening process, we found attrition rates at
[specialized undergraduate pilot training] almost tripled," said Col.
Brian Bishop, 34th Operations Group commander.
Now cadets who want to become pilots must first fly single-engine
airplanes. This prescreening helps academy officials decide if a cadet
has the stuff to make it through pilot training.
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The academy did have an alternate introductory program. In 1998 it
started sending cadets and recent graduates to civilian airfields for
introductory flight training. That improved the attrition rates at the
next level of flight training. But officials realized that without
direct military oversight, a critical part of training future combat
pilots was missing.
The Air Force felt that including some aspects of military pilot
training-like formal stand-up briefings, pilot checklists, and standards
for reacting to emergencies-would better prepare students for
specialized undergraduate pilot training. Plus, an "on-base" program
would provide more time for their busy schedule.
In July 2001, the academy announced the new program to bring
introductory flight training back to the academy's airfield.
The academy launched the new program under a contract with Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University, which will provide civilian instructors. The
old program had military instructor pilots.
"Although students will receive guidance primarily from Embry-Riddle
instructors, Air Force pilots will continue to check the progress cadets
make throughout their training," said Ma]. Kevin Mastin, director of
operations for the 557th Flying Training Squadron.
"A military pilot is going to use a plane to conduct war," Mastin said.
"We must make sure they are prepared to fly for the military. If we see
a trend with a student pilot, such as high anxiety or continued air
sickness, the student might be encouraged to take a different career
path."
Student pilots must log 50 hours behind the stick in a Diamond Katana
DA20-C1 Falcon aircraft to graduate. Before they only had to have 18 to
25 hours. Graduates receive a Federal Aviation Administration private
pilot license.