Aviation Continues Through Stronger Emphasis on Simulated Flight

As expected, in the wake of last summer’s tragic incident, Culver will be shaking things up in the Upper Camp Aviation Program this year, largely out of necessesity. The air fleet will, in all likelihood, remain grounded throughout the summer pending the findings of the FAA’s ongoing investigation.

Speculation as to what this summer will look like for aviators has been running pretty hot and heavy over in the CulverTalk forums throughout the last six months (see discussions here and here) but official word has begun to emerge in the form of a letter sent out to Aviators and patrons of the program a few weeks ago (full text here).

In a nutshell, here are the proposed changes:

• Culver will have an aviation program this summer though no "in flight" instruction.
• Courses will include: Fundamentals of Aviation, Ground School I, and Ground School II
• All Aviators will schedule at least 5 hours in Culver’s Frasca 131 Flight Simulator:

• A new Aviation Computer lab will be available for those in aviation to work with Microsoft Flight Simulator
• A new elective open to all Upper Camps will be a class assembling and flying Radio Controlled Airplanes

Culver’s stated goal is to maintain the integrity of the Aviation units and program while the investigation continues in the hope of eventually being able to restart in-flight instruction.

While these changes certainly sound like quite a departure for the program it does seem like the Academy is working hard to make up for the lack of actual flight this summer. Let’s hope they keep working on what the aviation curriculum will look like while also investigating options for weekend flights contracted through other airfields nearby as has been suggested and discussed over in the forums. It sounds like Culver’s looked into it somewhat already. I hope they keep at it. A healthy aviation squadron is good for everybody involved. Also, who will the upper camp ladies fawn over if there aren’t any aviators around to instill jealousy in the hearts of all would be naval suitors?

Take me to Part 3: "Tuxis Evolves"»