SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
1st Lt. Kevin
Fernandez, 89th Flying Training Squadron T-6 instructor pilot and flight scheduler
is a native of Huntley, Illinois, and has been in the Air Force for two and a
half years. Fernandez was selected as the Instructor of the Week at Sheppard
Air Force Base, Texas, for the week of July 19-25, 2016.
Most significant accomplishments:
Fernandez was selected as a first assignment instructor pilot
from the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program and achieved rated pilot
and instructor qualification as a second lieutenant within two years of
entering active duty. He was also voted as the top instructor for the
instrument and contact flying training phases for class 17-03.
Airman’s story:
“I grew up just outside Chicago and my father raised me on
aviation,” Fernandez said. “We would go to all the air shows in the area and he
would take me up flying in a rental Cessna every chance he could. I went to
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL where I studied
Meteorology, participated in Air Force ROTC, and spent my summers as a lifeguarding
on the beach. I then came to Sheppard for pilot training and was chosen to stay
here as an instructor.”
Supervisor
comments:
“Kevin is my go-to Lieutenant
for any issues and the student’s go-to instructor pilot for any type of
information or advice,” said Capt. Brent Luddington, 89th FTS flight commander and T-6 instructor
pilot. “He is always available to
answer questions, teach, and be there if there is a problem. The students trust
him so much they have voted him the instructor pilot of the phase for both
contact and instrument phases. As my scheduler, he is constantly working to
improve the schedule. He has led several scheduling surges for the current
class to get them from three days behind to three days ahead of time line. Kevin is a consummate professional who is
always striving to be a better pilot and officer. Any challenges that arise
with an ever changing and ever evolving schedule, he tackles head on. He has
successfully scheduled two classes with zero syllabus deviations, and has
become a student favorite due to his knowledge and caring personality.”