ENJJPT Steering Committee to discuss syllabus, aircraft

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 80th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  NATO partners will meet March 31-April 4 to assess the current state of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program, as well as look to the program's future.

Col. David Petersen, commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing, said Steering Committee No. 55 will continue to work on changes to the program's syllabus with ENJJPT 2008, the bed down of the T-6A Texan II and the possibility of increased participation by partner nations.

Flexibility has become the buzz word at the program to allow varying points of entry and exit for NATO air forces. Countries can choose to participate in all or portions of training here depending on what their air force's needs.

"The attitude is definitely one of inclusion, rather than exclusion," Colonel Petersen said. "Knowing the specific pilot training requirements of our ENJJPT partners is important to the Steering Committee and the future viability of the program."

A couple NATO partners are already reaping the benefits of the suppleness of ENJJPT 2008, the colonel said. Greece and Spain are planning participation in various phases of training. Two Spanish student pilots will take part in T-38 training this fall and follow on to Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals. Officials from the Greek Air Force have stated they would like to participate in similar training.

"I believe we will have even more interest from our other ENJJPT partners during this Steering Committee meeting," Colonel Petersen said. "We already have what I consider positive responses and a great start for this new concept."

Another key topic of discussion is the arrival and bed down of 69 T-6A Texan II aircraft, the replacement for the aging but dependable T-37 Tweet. Steering Committee and 80th FTW leadership will officially welcome the new airframe to the fleet March 31 during a ceremony.

The Texan II offers a more cost effective means of training NATO's future combat pilots. The modern training would cost about one-quarter to one-third the cost of training pilots in the T-37.

But it's not just about getting more bang for the buck. The colonel said it's also about providing modern training equipment that will make transition in other airframes a little smoother.

"The advanced avionics of the T-6 aircraft are a better lead in to follow on phases," Colonel Petersen said. "The simulators that are part of the program are a huge advancement and will reduce the number of hours students will need in the aircraft as some of the procedural and even visual as well as instrument training can be accomplished in these more advanced simulators."

North Texas is used to weather changing in an instant, which is why weather shelters will also be discussed during the meetings. Construction is already underway for T-6 shelters because of the airframes "thin skin."

Colonel Petersen said the shelters are vital to protecting the aircraft. Protection for the program's other aircraft - the T-38C Talon - is another discussion that should take place.

"We have funding from the Steering Committee to shelter the first 30 T-6s scheduled to arrive between now and the end of September," the colonel said. "I will discuss with the Steering Committee during this meeting the road ahead for sheltering the remaining T-6 and T-38C aircraft."

Regardless of improvements made to infrastructure or modernization of the fleet, the key component that makes ENJJPT a viable option for NATO partners to train their future combat pilots is participation by as many member nations as possible. The colonel said that is what has made ENJJPT prosper for more than 25 years.

"We are constantly looking at ways within the ENJJPT Wing to improve training and administrative processes," Colonel Petersen said. "I have observed outstanding people making a positive impact upon the ENJJPT Program and its mission. Now we need to see how far we can continue these significant efforts."

ENJJPT is the world's only multi-nationally manned and managed flying training program chartered to produce combat pilots for NATO. The 80th FTW is the official U.S. Air Force designation of this flying training organization, but it is better known as the ENJJPT Wing by its members.