Now showing: Dec. 8 edition of AFTV News Published Dec. 8, 2003 SAN ANTONIO (AFPN) -- The journey from wanting to be a pilot in the Air Force to becoming one is the subject of the latest edition of Air Force Television News. “The Making of a Pilot” is the first program in a series of four special productions to be aired during the holiday season.Produced by Staff Sgt. Marty Rush at various locations, Part One focuses on initial pilot training at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas, the base where more pilots graduate than any other place in the Air Force. There, students are introduced to the world of flight, spending hours both in the classroom and in the air before moving to the second phase of their training.That second phase involves students learning what kind of aircraft they will fly next. Still being taught in training aircraft, the aircraft are closer to what the students will fly when they get their wings.The selection process, as explained by Rush, is determined by the class rankings of the students and involves training in either the C-130 Hercules, helicopters, fighter bombers or so-called heavy aircraft such as C-5 Galaxies, C-17 Globemaster IIIs and tankers.Phase Three involves what many consider the showcase of the Air Force -- the fighter bombers. These are the pilots who make split-second decisions while flying faster than the speed of sound.Other special editions of the program during the coming weeks will focus on the centennial of flight, the year in review and the 50th anniversary of the Thunderbirds.Air Force Television News is a biweekly production of Air Force News Service. It is distributed on videotape to more than 3,000 military and civilian outlets worldwide, and is seen on more than 700 cable TV outlets nationwide. It is also available on the Internet at www.af.mil and can also be regularly seen on The Pentagon Channel. The program is offered with closed captioning. Viewers can comment on the program by sending e-mail to aftvnews@afnews.af.mil.