USAFA’s Unique Flight Programs
The US Air Force Academy certainly has its critics with regard to the experiences cadets must endure, but it also offers some significant and unique opportunities.
As a college student receiving a tuition-free four year education, how’d you like to head down the street to the school’s flying program and take an aircraft for a spin (also for free)?
Can’t really beat the view, either.
USAFA T-52A and T-41D line up for takeoff on a clear April morning on the USAFA airfield, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Or jump out of one?
Why leave behind a perfectly good airplane? Yes, the Academy offers T-52, and T-41. I’m pretty sure the last two airplanes (far right) are DA-20’s, part of the Introductory Flight Training (or did they change the name to Screening?) program.
There is also soaring program with three models of gliders and the jump program which (to my knowledge) is the only place in the USA where students freefall on their first jump. However, the best part of all of the programs is they are cadet led. Soaring for example has a requirement for only one officer per shift.