U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation (PTT)
Updated January 18, 2023
U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation (PTT)
U.S. military leaders have made the case to Congress that
The Air Force had trained aviators via Specialized
the U.S. Air Force is not producing enough pilots to meet
Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) since 1992. SUPT
its authorized personnel requirements (i.e., end strength). In
was a three-phase, 55-week program consisting of
July 2022, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff General David
classroom academics, simulator training, and flight
Allvin testified to the House Armed Services Committee
instruction. Candidates first learned basic aviation skills and
that “the national pilot shortage we discussed last year
spent 18 flight hours operating the DA-20 aircraft in the
continues to challenge our Air Force.” He also stated that
initial flight training (IFT) course in Pueblo, CO. Following
the Air Force was 1,650 pilots short of its 21,000 pilot-
IFT, candidates moved to one of the primary SUPT bases
requirement to meet global mission demands. The FY2023
and accumulated roughly 87 flying hours and 47 simulator
Air Force budget request included $796.6 million for flight
hours operating the T-6A, a high-performance training
training programs, including $15.3 million for its “Pilot
aircraft. After basic SUPT, candidates separated into four
Training Transformation.” Pilot Training Transformation
training tracks for advanced SUPT: fighter/bomber track,
(PTT) is an initiative aimed to modernize pilot training—
heavy (cargo/tanker) track, heavy propeller (C-130) track,
and improve both quality and quantity of pilots—through
and rotary wing track. Advanced SUPT flight time varied
implementing advanced technology and modern
based on the track, but each track received 75-105 flight
instructional techniques. This In Focus provides an
hours and at least 35 simulator hours.
overview of the Air Force pilot shortage, describes efforts
to streamline pilot training, and poses select questions for
The major pilot training bases are Vance Air Force Base,
Congress.
OK; Laughlin Air Force Base, TX; Columbus Air Force
Base, MS; and Sheppard Air Force Base, TX. Sheppard Air
Background
Force Base is home to European-NATO Joint Jet Pilot
In 2017, then-Air Force Chief of Staff General David
Training (ENJJPT) and runs a slightly different variation of
Goldfein informed Congress of a growing pilot shortage. At
training to accommodate foreign pilot candidates.
the end of FY2017, the Air Force was 1,947 pilots short of
its authorized end strength. The Air Force has two
Pilot Training Transformation
mechanisms to sustain the required number of pilots: (1)
In 2018, AETC launched the Pilot Training Next (PTN)
retain current pilots, and (2) recruit and train new pilots. In
program in an attempt to produce more pilots in less time at
response to retention concerns, the Air Force initiated
a reduced cost. Located at Randolph Air Force Base, TX,
monetary and nonmonetary incentive programs, such as
Detachment 24—the parent unit for PTN—explored
increases to the Aviator Bonus and several quality-of-life
technological and instructional innovations designed to
initiatives (for more information, see CRS Insight IN10776,
improve upon SUPT. As part of the program, the
U.S. Air Force Pilot Shortage). In FY2021, the pilot
detachment trained small groups of students using
shortage had decreased to 1,650. However, going forward,
experimental syllabi. In 2018, the first class of 13 students
senior Air Force officials expect civilian airline hiring to
graduated from a 24-week course. Detachment 24
return to prepandemic rates and draw military pilots away
ultimately trained 41 students over three different
from the service (in 2019, approximately 30% of the
experimental classes. Like their counterparts in SUPT,
civilian airline pilot cadre was former military).
graduates received a basic aeronautical rating and went to
follow-on training in airframes like the F-35 fighter aircraft,
The Air Force has increased production of new pilots
F-16 fighter aircraft, and C-17 cargo aircraft. In FY2022,
gradually since FY2017, when it trained approximately
AETC adopted some of the innovations tested at PTN when
1,160 pilots. General Allvin stated that “in FY2021, UPT
it launched a new pilot training syllabus at the major pilot
[undergraduate pilot training] programs produced 1,381
training bases. The Air Force formally ended PTN
pilots—118 more than the year prior, but still 119 pilots
following FY2021, but Detachment 24 continues to develop
short of the 1,500 goal.” Retention issues complicate the
and test future training innovations under the enduring PTT
production issue, since training new pilots requires
program. In FY2021, the Air Force also launched
experienced instructor pilots—the same ones civilian
Undergraduate Helicopter Training-Next, which trains
airlines are recruiting. Additionally, some Air Force
helicopter pilots in a separate training pipeline and does not
officers within Air Education and Training Command
require fixed-wing flight time. This could allow more fixed-
(AETC) argue that retention challenges for contract
wing candidates to enter pilot training and may lead to
simulator instructors further strains the pilot training
increases in overall pilot production.
instructor corps, forcing instructors to operate and instruct
in simulators when they could be flying with students.
Through experimentation at PTN, senior AETC leaders
have identified several core concepts that continue to guide
PTT: student-centered learning, increased student access to
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U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation (PTT)
training content, advanced and immersive training
such as changes in heart rate, to identify potential
technology, and human performance factors.
deficiency trends in pilot competencies, but did not adopt
biometric wearables at the pilot training bases.
Student-Centered Learning
Former SUPT syllabi were designed for groups of students
Other Pilot Production Initiatives
(or classes) to train on the same timeline. PTN developed a
The Air Force is also considering other concepts to improve
learner-centric model, enabling students to progress at
pilot production. These include an accelerated training path
different rates and allowing individualized instruction in
for civil-qualified aviators; a streamlined transition for
skills for which students exhibit deficiencies. This concept
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates from
marked a structural shift from SUPT, from scheduled
aviation-accredited schools; and elimination of barriers to
progression milestones for candidates toward a flexible
entry (e.g., allowing candidates to use their highest
progression timeline. Instruction is enabled by data
composite Air Force Officer Qualifying Test score rather
collection software and artificial intelligence-based
than the most current score) in the pilot candidate selection
applications designed to assist students in identifying
process. Some analysts expressed concern about how
training tasks for self-guided learning.
reducing barriers to entry, reliance on virtual reality, and
potential for shortened training timelines could negatively
Access to Training Content
afffect pilot quality and lead to increased mishap rates.
Former 19th Air Force Commander Major General Craig
Wills described “seamless access” as “removing
Budget History
unnecessary barriers to a student’s ability to train.” SUPT
Recent Air Force budget activity reflects the service’s
students had access to basic study material, but most of the
efforts to improve pilot training quality and pilot production
devices and content used for training were accessible only
quantity. Although PTN began training students in 2018,
when students were on an Air Force base. Detachment 24
the Air Force first requested program funding for the effort
identified and tested software and hardware solutions that
in the FY2021 budget.
allow students to practice and train anywhere, including on
personal mobile devices. Applications and software added
FY2021. $610.9 million appropriated for flight training
to government networks may pose the risk of exploitation
programs, $19.6 million for Pilot Training Next.
or network attack, especially when such software is
FY2022. $717.9 million appropriated for flight training
accessible on personal mobile devices.
programs, $15 million for Pilot Training
Advanced and Immersive Training Technology
Transformation.
Aircraft simulators have been a key element of Air Force
FY2023. $796.6 million appropriated for flight training
flight training for decades. They have ranged from simple
programs, $15.3 million for Pilot Training
3-D cockpit mock-ups to motion-capable, full-vision
Transformation.
systems that virtually recreate all phases of flight
operations. Costs for these systems vary depending on type
Congressional Actions during the 117th Congress
and sophistication; the Air Force T-6 trainer aircraft
The report (S.Rept. 117-39) accompanying the Senate
simulator costs roughly $3 million per unit. Traditional
Armed Services Committee version of the FY2022 National
flight simulators require large, climate-controlled facilities;
Defense Authorization Act (S. 2792) directed the Air Force
an instructor/operator to provide mission oversight; and
and Navy to conduct a study on the efficacy and efficiency
technicians to input the mission parameters and ensure
of their respective pilot training programs and to evaluate
functionality for the student. Commercially available virtual
the quality of their graduates. The House Appropriations
reality and augmented reality systems could offer an
Committee report (H.Rept. 117-388) accompanying its
additional training medium at a reduced cost and allow
version of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act,
instructors to tailor both at-work and at-home training. Pilot
2023 (H.R. 8236), directed the Air Force to submit a report
Training instructors argue that immersive training devices
to the committee and provide quarterly updates to the
will reduce some of the burden on instructor pilots as
congressional appropriations committees on efforts to
students are able to gain repetitions in the virtual
address the pilot shortage.
environment.
Potential Questions for Congress
Human Performance Factors
Congress may consider the following questions in
Some analysts note that military flying imposes unique
conducting oversight activities and reviewing future
physiological and psychological demands on pilots. SUPT
funding requests for Air Force flight training programs.
human performance-related training consisted of classroom
academics, high-altitude familiarization, and high-
What impact does the current shortfall in pilot
gravitational force familiarization. Detachment 24 hired
production have on Air Force readiness?
cognitive performance specialists to identify deficiencies
and enhance motor response, with the goal of addressing
How is the Air Force assessing whether PTT has
weaknesses that could otherwise prevent students from
improved training quality and pilot production quantity?
progressing in flight training. The training environment can
How can other services and career fields leverage
lead to increased student stress levels and potentially affect
techniques through PTN and PTT to improve their
performance and learning. PTN explored wearable
respective training pipelines?
biometric devices to collect and monitor physiological data,
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U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Transformation (PTT)
IF12257
Patrick Parrish, National Defense Fellow
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