The U.S. Air Force will be training less pilots this coming year in 2008 at roughly about 925, a decrease of about 12 percent from the 1,100 that will graduate this year which is what the Air Force Times is reporting. However it may come back up in 2009 to 1025, which is expected to remain constant for several years according to the Times. According to the newspaper the reduction is directly related to the decline in the volume of aircrafts available and will be particularly felt in the fighter pilot ranks. "If the Air Force did not slow down pilot production, the service's fighter squadrons would be overwhelmed by first-assignment pilots who could not get adequate training because there wouldn't be enough jets or instructors," the newspaper reported.
The correct percentage of experienced and upcoming fighter pilots is about 55 percent veterans and 45 percent rookies, the Times said. Transport and other types of military aircraft offer new pilots more training opportunities and the ability to ride along on a multitude of flights to gain experience. The Air Force has already reassigned almost 200 bomber and fighter pilots because there's nothing for them to fly. The Air Force Academy and ROTC program will continue accepting the same number of officer trainees but fewer of them will be offered pilot training.
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Air Force pilot cut backs
Piper Cherokee
The Piper Cherokee is one of the most used aircrafts like its successor the Cessna. This aircraft too just like the Cessna is also used in conjunction with flight schools is offered. The Piper aircraft is a 4-6 passenger aircraft depending on the number of seats you are looking for in an aircraft can be accommodated for you. It is a single piston engine driven airplane with a 140-300 horsepower rating.
The Piper Cherokee comes with the option of a fixed or retractable landing gear, and fixed-pitch or constant-speed propellers. All members of the Cherokee family aircrafts are all metal body and have a low mounted wing.
The Cherokee's main competitors historically have been the Cessna 172, the Grumman American AA-5 series and the Beechcraft Musketeer.
Here are some little known facts on the Piper Cherokee. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 2,440 lbs. Service ceiling is 11,000 ft., Empty weight is 1,500 lbs. It fuel load is 50 US gallons (189 liters) total and has a range of 513 nm (950 km) at best economy mixture, 75% power, no reserve, 8,000 ft (2,438 m) density altitude, 2,300 lb (1,043 kg) gross weight, no wind.
Rate of climb at 640 ft per minute. Its fuel consumption is 11.4 US gallons per hour at best power mixture setting, 75% power; 9.2 US gallons per hour at best economy mixture setting, 65% power; 8.5 US gallons (32 liters) per hour at best economy mixture setting, 55% power.
Below is a video I included with the Piper Cherokee that will explain more of the aircraft.
Flight plans
Flight plans are documents that are filed by pilots with the Aviation Authority prior to departure. It has basic information pertaining to the aircraft,number of passengers on board, its destination, and points along the way that can be used in case of bad weather. A sample flight plan is above you can click on to get a better view of it. This document is required at all IFR airports in the U.S., IFR stands for "Instrument Flight Rules". These set of rules pertains to using the aircrafts instruments and air traffic control to tell where you are, your altitude,speed, etc..There is also VFR which is "Visual Flight Rules" and as it explains you use your vision instead of the instruments onboard.
All major carrier airlines use flight plans especially at bigger airports. Its actually a good idea to fill one out and fly via IFR even if your flying a single engine Cessna. Reason being is if you go off radar for any reason they can track your last known flight plan and trace you. Its truely a smarter idea because you never know what may happen.
Of course smaller airports don't require IFR and most fly VFR. The choice is yours however your flight school will explain this more in detail with you.
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