Video: FLIGHT TEST: Airmen Begin First Steps Toward Their Wings

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EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first in a regular series by WCBI Reporter/Anchor Emily Cassulo following the lives of young airmen as they begin a year of pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base.

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) — Hundreds of student pilots call North Mississippi home for at least a year as they train at the Columbus Air Force Base to become the Air Force’s newest aviators.

For the next year, WCBI’s Emily Cassulo will be following class 15-07 from start to finish as they go through their pilot training.

These men and women are in the early stages of their training, but it’s still intense.

Right now, they’re spending six to 10 hour days studying in the academic Phase I.

Their instructors say it’ll soon turn into 12 hour days when they actually start flying.

“I grew up hearing stories from family members from back in World War II and stuff, and I always knew I wanted to join the Air Force,” said 2nd Lt. Andrew Burress.

Burress has already served 10 years enlisted, working on airplanes in different roles.

Now he’s ready to fly them.

“I had been around airplanes for the last 10 years, and always dreamed about moving up front, and I’m finally getting the chance to do that, so I’m tickled to death,” Burress said.

2nd Lt. Devin Keigley has his private pilot license, and first flew solo when he was only 16 years old.

He says military aviation has always interested him.

“I really wanted to serve. It’s something that means a lot to me,” Keigley said. “I’ve always looked highly upon people who are willing to give of themselves for other people, and so I feel like being in the military in general is a way for me to do that.”

Their passion for flying and serving their country makes the many hours studying just a little more bearable.

Students have to complete Phase I, which is mostly classwork, before they can actually fly a plane.

“We learn about the systems of the aircraft, how those work, different things to look for for both normal operations, and emergency procedures. Right now we’re doing weather,” Keigley said.

Their instructors say the book work is still very intense.

The students are constantly preparing for weekly tests and practice in the simulators.

“We’ve got three different types of devices,” said instructor Ricky Sandifer. “One has no visual, which makes it real good practice for practicing where the switches are positioned. The other one has a visual in front that allows them to do basic maneuvers like take offs and straight-ins and landings, and the last one has a wrap around visual that gives them a full feel for what it’s like in the aircraft.”

The long hours lead to life long bonds.

“My favorite part is the camaraderie. Period. You have real friends in the military that you serve with, and those relationships is what means the most to me,” Burress said.

The students may not have much free time, but they say the long hours they’ll spend in training this next year will be worth it when they become Air Force pilots.

“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do in my entire life, and I’m here, and there are definitely days when you feel like you can’t do it, but if you just really focus on it and do whatever it takes, I think you can accomplish anything,” Keigley said.

These student pilots will start Phase II of their training soon.

Categories: Local News

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