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A comment on Pilots Say That the F-16-Cessna Crash Illustrates a Civil-Military Difference. Parent comment

Re:Pilots Say That the F-16-Cessna Crash Illustrates a Civil... by neurotech1 on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @10:59AM (#9969055)
This is incorrect. The USAF put great emphasis on airmanship, to a level beyond what it expected for a GA pilot in a Cessna.

Also, the USAF Academy is famous for their gliding program. One of the glider pilots who trained at USAFA subsequently flew as US Airlines 1549 and glided into the Hudson.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesley_Sullenberger#Military_...

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Re:Pilots Say That the F-16-Cessna Crash Illustrates a Civil... by Retric on Wednesday July 29, 2015 @11:37AM (#9969319)
There are two main tracks in the AF, bomber/cargo/tankers get have a much larger emphasis on gliding as fighter’s really can't glide for crap. "Approximately 50 percent of cadets are enrolled in a soaring course during their third-class year." http://www.academyadmissions.com/the-experience/military/air...

The AF does promote people learning more general skills in their free time, but fighter jets are very special aircraft and that tracks focus is defiantly on becoming a better fighter pilot not just a well rounded pilot.

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