Academy aircraft resume flight

  • Published
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AFPN) --  Officials here have directed academy aircraft back into service starting June 15.

Flight operations here were suspended April 2 following a safety review. Since that time, numerous actions have been taken to resolve all concerns expressed by academy leaders.

Major actions taken include a detailed nose-to-tail audit of all aircraft components to confirm aircraft configurations, improved aircraft maintenance documentation procedures, a modified maintenance contract enabling stronger contractor oversight and hiring of additional contract employees.

Other actions include a new spare parts acquisition plan, and an Air Force multiagency review of glider and motor-glider capability, reliability, maintainability and sustainability. Additionally, plans call for transforming the academy’s 34th Operations Group to bring its procedures more in line with operational Air Force flying practices.

Academy soaring, jump and cadet flying team operations, with more than 120,000 sorties and 20,000 parachute jumps per year, provide cadet leadership opportunities.

Affected aircraft include: TG-10B\C\D unpowered gliders and TG-14 motor-gliders of the 94th Flying Training Squadron, T-41 and Cessna 150 single-engine aircraft of the 557th FTS, and UV-18 Twin Otter jump-platform aircraft of the 98th FTS.