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Gaining understanding AETC chief learning officer visits Vance
By 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
Dr . Wendy Walsh , the chief learning officer in Air Education & Training Command , buckles into the T-1A Jayhawk prior to her orientation flight at Vance Air Force Base on Feb . 22 . The T-1 is used to train student pilots slated to fly airlift or tanker aircraft . ( U . S . Air Force photo / 2nd Lt . Christopher Guerra )
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE — To better understand the relationship between student pilots and their instructors , Dr . Wendy Walsh , Air Education & Training Command ’ s chief learning officer , traveled the path every student takes before and after a training flight during her visit to Vance Air Force Base , Feb . 21-22 .
“ My main objective of visiting Vance was to learn all I can about flight training ,” she said . “ I now have a much greater understanding of the T-1 , T-38 and T-6 training experience and environment .”
Walsh was accompanied on her Vance visit by Brig . Gen . Jeffrey Nelson , the 19th Air Force deputy commander .
They met with Vance instructor pilots during their visit and were briefed on how training sorties are scheduled . Vance flies more than 200 a day .
“ I intend to make time to find out more and will look to see if we can share Vance scheduling techniques with other flying bases and even consider how the techniques might inform scheduling in other training areas ,” said Walsh .
As AETC ’ s chief learning officer , she had a special interest in the engagement between the student and the instructor . Following a briefing for a solo flight , she noticed how prepared the student was and the supportive attention the instructor gave .
“ The prep was very collaborative helping the student ensure they could practice what they needed ,” said Walsh .
Flight simulators are an important part of pilot training at Vance . Walsh found her exposure to simulator training very impressive .
“ The instructor was a former pilot and had a great deal of passion for flying ,” she noted . “ He created a comfortable experience for the student , even with five strangers observing .”
While using humor , the instructor never reduced the seriousness of the emergency procedures the student was learning , she said .
“ Both in the simulators and the aircraft , there was a great deal of coaching provided rather than direct instruction ,” Walsh said . “ And it appeared to be very effective .”
But the learning processes used on the ground are just part of the total training package for student pilots . Walsh wanted to see firsthand how a training flight was conducted .
Because she wanted to observe both instructor and student , the aircraft of choice was the T-1A Jayhawk , the military version of the Beech 400A . It is a medium-range , twin-engine jet aircraft used by the 3rd Flying Training Squadron in training students selected to fly airlift or tanker aircraft .
Walsh was shown how to safely exit the aircraft in case of an emergency , then joined the flight pre-brief along with the instructors and student . For the next few hours , she was part of the chain of learning that delivers more than 300 world-class pilots a year .
Walsh ’ s visit to Vance was a continuation of her goal to create a shared understanding across the Air Force , building a framework
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