Glider Simulator Training at the USAFA

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5:19:16 AM UTC-8, wrote:
In my experience with the USAFA glider program, both as a cadet instructor and later as the officer-in-charge of the advanced soaring program, the vast majority of students achieved the end goal of the Airmanship 451 program, which was to solo. That act completed the course.

Has the AM 451 curriculum changed whereby most students now do *not* solo (which would have to be the case to "more than double the solo rate")?

The sims were used in the AM 251 course, the "Into to Soaring" course given during the summer for 340 students, not the AM 451 which is used to train the instructors. The AM 451 course only has about 60 students, and yes, most of those have already soloed, or come close, in AM 251.

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 12:26:25 PM UTC-8, wrote:
On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5:19:16 AM UTC-8, wrote:
In my experience with the USAFA glider program, both as a cadet instructor and later as the officer-in-charge of the advanced soaring program, the vast majority of students achieved the end goal of the Airmanship 451 program, which was to solo. That act completed the course.

Has the AM 451 curriculum changed whereby most students now do *not* solo (which would have to be the case to "more than double the solo rate")?

The sims were used in the AM 251 course, the "Into to Soaring" course given during the summer for 340 students, not the AM 451 which is used to train the instructors. The AM 451 course only has about 60 students, and yes, most of those have already soloed, or come close, in AM 251.

One obvious difference is that a simulator based on a wrecked glider fuselage is a one-off project -- it's not scalable. A commercially available simulator rig that seemlessly integrates with the most popular glider simulator is something worth considering by glider clubs. I suggest requesting the article mentioned in the original post.

Back when the rains came & the earth cooled:

400-series academic courses were associated with a cadet's freshman ("4-degree") year.
AM-451 was typically taken the summer break before a cadet's began his sophomore year.

The USAF ACADEMY SOARING PROGRAM SYLLABUS OF INSTRUCTION FOR AIRMANSHIP 451, BASIC COURSE GLIDER, Dated APRIL 1980, states, "This syllabus outlines...the training required...to solo a glider."

As for the 1980s through the 1990s--The vast majority of BASIC COURSE GLIDER students achieved solo. It was rare not to solo.
When did not soloing become the norm (hence the modern-day possibility to double the BASIC COURSE GLIDER solo rate)?

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5:00:12 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Back when the rains came & the earth cooled:

400-series academic courses were associated with a cadet's freshman ("4-degree") year.
AM-451 was typically taken the summer break before a cadet's began his sophomore year.

The USAF ACADEMY SOARING PROGRAM SYLLABUS OF INSTRUCTION FOR AIRMANSHIP 451, BASIC COURSE GLIDER, Dated APRIL 1980, states, "This syllabus outlines...the training required...to solo a glider."

As for the 1980s through the 1990s--The vast majority of BASIC COURSE GLIDER students achieved solo. It was rare not to solo.
When did not soloing become the norm (hence the modern-day possibility to double the BASIC COURSE GLIDER solo rate)?

This is true. Back when the USAFA was training in 2-32s, the solo rate was much higher. They are now using a "club" version of the DG-1000, and the solo rate was around 40%. But by adding simulator training there were able to get that up to 89%.
-Russell Holtz

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 5:00:12 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Back when the rains came & the earth cooled:

400-series academic courses were associated with a cadet's freshman ("4-degree") year.
AM-451 was typically taken the summer break before a cadet's began his sophomore year.

The USAF ACADEMY SOARING PROGRAM SYLLABUS OF INSTRUCTION FOR AIRMANSHIP 451, BASIC COURSE GLIDER, Dated APRIL 1980, states, "This syllabus outlines...the training required...to solo a glider."

As for the 1980s through the 1990s--The vast majority of BASIC COURSE GLIDER students achieved solo. It was rare not to solo.
When did not soloing become the norm (hence the modern-day possibility to double the BASIC COURSE GLIDER solo rate)?

This is true. Back when the USAFA was training in 2-33s, the solo rate was much higher. They are now using a "club" version of the DG-1000, and the solo rate has been around 40%. By adding simulator training there were able to get that up to 89%.
-Russell Holtz

Not sure about their logic of using an aircraft apparently less conducive to the intended task.
Congratulations on finding a way to help overcome that incongruity.

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:17:13 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Not sure about their logic of using an aircraft apparently less conducive to the intended task.
Congratulations on finding a way to help overcome that incongruity.

If your KPI is to get students to one solo tow and sled ride to a safe landing on a dead calm day and then never set foot in a glider again then, yeah, the 2-33 is probably superior.

Otherwise I'd take the DG1000 every time.

On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 8:26:04 PM UTC-7, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:17:13 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Not sure about their logic of using an aircraft apparently less conducive to the intended task.
Congratulations on finding a way to help overcome that incongruity.

If your KPI is to get students to one solo tow and sled ride to a safe landing on a dead calm day and then never set foot in a glider again then, yeah, the 2-33 is probably superior.

Otherwise I'd take the DG1000 every time.

The only shortcoming with the USAFA glider program is that the Cadets,until commissioned, are not active military members, thus not eligible for any ratings issued under 8900.1 http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?...ol.5,Ch2,Sec15

Frank Whiteley

When I was associated with the Black Forest Soaring Society, near the
USAFA, we had several cadets join BFSS and complete their pilot
certificates in gliders.

On 11/15/2018 11:03 PM, Frank Whiteley wrote:
On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 8:26:04 PM UTC-7, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:17:13 PM UTC-8, wrote:
Not sure about their logic of using an aircraft apparently less conducive to the intended task.
Congratulations on finding a way to help overcome that incongruity.
If your KPI is to get students to one solo tow and sled ride to a safe landing on a dead calm day and then never set foot in a glider again then, yeah, the 2-33 is probably superior.

Otherwise I'd take the DG1000 every time.
The only shortcoming with the USAFA glider program is that the Cadets,until commissioned, are not active military members, thus not eligible for any ratings issued under 8900.1 http://fsims.faa.gov/PICDetail.aspx?...ol.5,Ch2,Sec15

Frank Whiteley

--
Dan, 5J

The USAFA basic soaring program exisits to expose up to ~1000 (per year) future Air Force officers with the experience of having piloted an actual aircraft, even though the majority of which will serve in non-flying careers. The training goal used to state "...training required...to solo a glider".

Here's the reality:

23,000 tows x 7 days/week x 280 good days/year = 82 sorties/operating day..
A semester long (5 month) program attended in between academic classes = student availability for maybe 2 hours each day + ½ day each weekend. Weather permitting on an airfield sitting at the base of a mountain range.

Program safety and efficiency IAW the mission of the United States Air Force Academy in support of the United States Air Force.
Not a means towards civilian licensure.
Not the infusion of life-long soaring aficionados.
(Though the latter are worthy causes.)

My opinion, having personally experienced all aspects to the specific matter: USAFA basic glider training culminating in a solo flight--yes, even if a sled ride in calm conditions if flying sleds equates to more, safe sorties--better achieves that program's intent plus would provide the kind of experience one remembers for a lifetime; more so than receiving minimal training in a glass slipper. This is why I was shocked to hear the USAFA solo rate could conceivably be *doubled*!