November 29, 2022
U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation
U.S. military leaders have made the case to Congress that
IFT, candidates move to one of the primary SUPT bases
the U.S. Air Force is not producing enough pilots to meet
and accumulate roughly 87 flying hours and 47 simulator
its authorized personnel requirements (i.e., end strength). In
hours operating the T-6A, a high-performance training
July 2022, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General David
aircraft. After basic SUPT, candidates are divided into four
Allvin testified to the House Armed Services Committee
training tracks for advanced SUPT: fighter/bomber track,
that “the national pilot shortage we discussed last year
heavy (cargo/tanker) track, heavy propeller (C-130) track,
continues to challenge our Air Force.” He also stated that
and rotary wing track. Advanced SUPT flight time varies
the Air Force was 1,650 pilots short of its 21,000 pilot-
based on the track, but each track receives 75-105 flight
requirement to meet global mission demands. The FY2023
hours and at least 35 simulator hours. The primary SUPT
Air Force budget request included $779.6 million for flight
bases are Vance Air Force Base, OK; Laughlin Air Force
training programs, including $15.3 million for its “Pilot
Base, TX; Columbus Air Force Base, MS; and Sheppard
Training Transformation.” Pilot Training Transformation is
Air Force Base, TX. Sheppard Air Force Base is home to
an effort to evolve training and produce pilots more quickly
European-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) and
through advanced technology and modern instructional
runs a slightly different variation of SUPT to accommodate
techniques. This In Focus provides an overview of the Air
foreign pilot candidates.
Force pilot shortage, describes efforts to streamline pilot
training, and poses select questions for Congress.
Pilot Training Next
In 2018, Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
Background
launched the Pilot Training Next (PTN) program in an
In 2017, then-Air Force Chief of Staff General David
attempt to produce more pilots in less time at a reduced
Goldfein informed Congress of a growing pilot shortage. At
cost. Located at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, PTN
the end of FY2017, the Air Force was 1,947 pilots short of
explores technological and instructional innovations that
its authorized end strength. The Air Force has two
may lead to changes in SUPT. In addition to
mechanisms to sustain the required number of pilots: (1)
experimentation, PTN and its host unit, Detachment 24,
retain current pilots, and (2) recruit and train new pilots. In
trains small groups of students using experimental syllabi.
response to retention concerns, the Air Force initiated
In 2018, the first class of 13 students graduated from an
monetary and nonmonetary incentive programs, such as
experimental, 24-week syllabus. Like their counterparts in
increases to the Aviator Bonus and several quality-of-life
SUPT, graduates receive a basic aeronautical rating and go
initiatives (for more information, see CRS Insight IN10776,
to follow-on training in airframes like the F-35 fighter
U.S. Air Force Pilot Shortage). In FY2021, the pilot
aircraft, F-16 fighter aircraft, and C-17 cargo aircraft. After
shortage had decreased to 1,650. However, going forward,
three classes and 41 graduates from PTN, AETC launched
senior Air Force officials expect civilian airline hiring to
Pilot Training 2.5 at the three major SUPT bases in 2022.
return to prepandemic rates and draw military pilots away
Pilot Training 2.5 incorporated some of the technology and
from the service (in 2019, approximately 30% of the
learning innovations developed at PTN, representing an
civilian airline pilot cadre was former military).
incremental step toward the eventual replacement of SUPT
with Pilot Training 3.0. In FY2021, the Air Force launched
The Air Force has increased production of new pilots
Helicopter Training Next, which trains helicopter pilots in a
gradually since FY2017, when it trained approximately
separate training pipeline and does not require fixed-wing
1,160 pilots. General Allvin stated that “in FY2021, UPT
flight time. This allows more fixed-wing candidates to enter
programs produced 1,381 pilots—118 more than the year
SUPT and may lead to increases in overall pilot production.
prior, but still 119 pilots short of the 1,500 goal.” Retention
issues complicate the production issue, since training new
Through early experimentation at PTN, senior AETC
pilots requires experienced instructor pilots—the same ones
leaders have identified several core concepts that continue
civilian airlines are recruiting.
to guide the pilot training transformation: student-centered
learning, increased student access to training content,
The Air Force has trained aviators via Specialized
advanced and immersive training technology, and human
Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) since 1992. SUPT is
performance factors.
a three-phase, 55-week program consisting of classroom
academics, simulator training, and flight instruction. SUPT
Student-Centered Learning
trains students to achieve proficiency in the military
Former SUPT syllabi were designed for groups of students
aviation skills required for operational fixed and rotary-
(or classes) to train on the same timeline. PTN uses a
wing aircraft. Candidates first learn basic aviation skills and
learner-centric model, enabling students to progress at
spend 18 flight hours operating the DA-3 aircraft in the
different rates and allowing individualized instruction in
initial flight training (IFT) course in Pueblo, CO. Following
skills for which students exhibit deficiencies. This concept
https://crsreports.congress.gov
U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation
marks a structural shift from SUPT, from scheduled
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates from
progression milestones for candidates toward a flexible
aviation-accredited schools; and elimination of barriers to
progression timeline. Instruction is enabled by data
entry (e.g., allowing candidates to use their highest
collection software and artificial intelligence-based
composite Air Force Officer Qualifying Test score rather
applications designed to assist students in identifying
than the most current score) in the pilot candidate selection
training tasks for self-guided learning.
process. Some analysts argue that reducing barriers to entry,
reliance on virtual reality, and accelerated training timelines
Access to Training Content
could sacrifice pilot quality and lead to increased mishap
Major General Wills described “seamless access” as
rates.
“removing unnecessary barriers to a student’s ability to
train.” SUPT students have access to basic study material,
Budget History
but most of the devices and content used for training are
Recent Air Force budget activity reflects the service’s
accessible only when students are on an Air Force base.
efforts to increase pilot training and production. Although
PTN is assessing software and hardware solutions that
PTN began training students in 2018, the Air Force first
could potentially allow students to practice and train
requested program funding for the effort in the FY2021
anywhere, including on personal mobile devices.
budget.
Applications and software added to government networks
may pose the risk of exploitation or network attack,
FY2021. $610.9 million appropriated for flight training
especially when such software is accessible on personal
programs, $19.6 million for Pilot Training
mobile devices.
Transformation.
Advanced and Immersive Training Technology
FY2022. $717.9 million appropriated for flight training
programs, $15 million for Pilot Training
Aircraft simulators have been a key element of Air Force
Transformation.
flight training for decades. They have ranged from simple
3-D cockpit mock-ups to motion-capable, full-vision
FY2023. $779.6 million requested for flight training
systems that virtually recreate all phases of flight
programs, $15.3 million for Pilot Training
operations. Costs for these systems vary depending on type
Transformation.
and sophistication; the Air Force T-6 trainer aircraft
simulator costs roughly $3 million per unit. Traditional
Congressional Actions during the 117th Congress
flight simulators require large, climate-controlled facilities;
The report (S.Rept. 117-39) accompanying the Senate
an instructor/operator to provide mission oversight; and
Armed Services Committee version of the FY2022 National
technicians to input the mission parameters and ensure
Defense Authorization Act (S. 2792) directed the Air Force
functionality for the student. Commercially available virtual
and Navy to conduct a study on the efficacy and efficiency
reality and augmented reality systems could offer an
of their respective pilot training programs and to evaluate
additional training medium at a reduced cost and allow
the quality of their graduates. The House Appropriations
instructors to tailor both at-work and at-home training. PTN
Committee report (H.Rept. 117-388) accompanying its
instructors argue that immersive training devices will
version of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act,
reduce some of the burden on instructor pilots as students
2023 (H.R. 8236), directed the Air Force to submit a report
are able to gain repetitions in the virtual environment.
to the committee and provide quarterly updates to the
congressional appropriations committees on efforts to
Human Performance Factors
address the pilot shortage.
Some analysts note that military flying imposes unique
physiological and psychological demands on pilots. SUPT
Potential Questions for Congress
human performance-related training currently consists of
Congress may consider the following questions in
classroom academics, high-altitude familiarization, and
conducting oversight activities and reviewing future
high-gravitational force familiarization. PTN hired
funding requests for Air Force flight training programs.
cognitive performance specialists to identify deficiencies
and enhance motor response, with the goal of addressing
What impact does the current shortfall in pilot
weaknesses that could otherwise prevent students from
production have on Air Force readiness?
progressing in flight training. The training environment can
How is the Air Force ensuring quality control for pilots
lead to increased student stress levels and potentially affect
trained within the accelerated PTN timeline versus those
performance and learning. PTN is experimenting with
completing the SUPT program?
wearable biometric devices to collect and monitor
physiological data, such as changes in heart rate. Through
When does the Air Force expect to see higher
biometric monitoring during mission activities, instructors
production of pilots resulting from PTN?
can receive feedback on stress levels that could identify
How can other services leverage techniques developed
training tasks that may require additional repetition or
through PTN to improve their respective pilot training
instruction.
pipelines?
Other Pilot Production Initiatives
Patrick Parrish, National Defense Fellow
The Air Force is also considering other concepts to improve
John R. Hoehn, Analyst in Military Capabilities and
pilot production. These include an accelerated training path
Programs
for civil-qualified aviators; a streamlined transition for
IF12257
https://crsreports.congress.gov
U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12257 · VERSION 1 · NEW