Aviation News – Historic Milestones in Next-Generation Pilot Training
Two leadership pilots from the 99th Flying Training Squadron have unlocked their unit’s operational independence by becoming the first Air Education and Training Command aviators to fully qualify on the T-7A Red Hawk. This achievement marks a critical leap forward in producing future fifth- and sixth-generation fighter and bomber pilots for the United States Air Force.
The milestone unfolded as the Air Force aggressively transitions to the T-7A platform, an aircraft designed to usher in a highly modern era of pilot training featuring advanced avionics and cutting-edge digital systems. Operating as the spearhead for this transition, the team at the 99th FTS is actively driving toward initial squadron stand-up and overall Initial Operational Capability. To reach this goal, the squadron focused heavily on establishing the foundational cadre of instructor pilots required to scale up operations.
The historic qualifications were secured by Lt. Col. Michael Trott, the 99th FTS commander, and Lt. Col. Phillip Bourquin, the squadron’s director of operations. To achieve this status, both pilots relied extensively on rigorous Type-1 sorties to master the new airframe. These specialized flights serve as the absolute bedrock for initial cadre aircrew training, ensuring that the very first generation of military instructors intimately understands the platform before training others.
Operationally, Type-1 sorties focus intensely on the baseline fundamentals of a brand-new aircraft rather than complex tactical maneuvers. The training regimen prioritizes precision in takeoffs, landings, enroute navigation, instrument approaches, and comprehensive system familiarization. By mastering these core capabilities, the squadron can now fly the aircraft completely on its own without needing a civilian instructor pilot from Boeing or the Developmental Test team, establishing total unit autonomy.
“As the first T-7A squadron in the Air Force, this moment marks a critical step in the overall process of fielding the new trainer fleet,” said Lt. Col. Michael Trott, 99th FTS commander. “This milestone permits us to fly the aircraft on our own without a T-7 instructor pilot from Boeing or Developmental Test, allowing us to build the instructor cadre vital to producing the highly capable aviators needed for tomorrow’s high-end fight.”
Looking ahead, these two trailblazing aviators represent the official arrival of the first T-7A AETC instructor pilots. They will initially focus on deepening their own flight hours and operational experience in the cockpit before passing their specialized knowledge down to subsequent pilot classes. This strategic rollout ensures a seamless, safe, and highly proficient training pipeline as the fleet expands.
Ultimately, this achievement fundamentally reshapes how the military prepares its personnel for high-end aerial warfare. By creating a self-sustaining pool of internal instructors, the Air Force accelerates its departure from legacy systems. This successful qualification ensures that the next generation of combat aviators will train on contemporary technology well ahead of fielding future combat aircraft.
