Some more insights from a current UPT stud expanding on the UPT memo that was sent out:

“T-38 tracks will now start dropping heavies and FAIPS predominately (for active duty).

Also, delays are even felt here in the T-6. There will be a two-month gap between when I finish preflight and academics before I do my dollar ride (first flight in the T-6). There are people in my class who finished the same time who will have to wait five months before their first flight. Columbus and Laughlin are crazy right now, but Vance seems to have 0 delays.”

Why so bad at Columbus and Laughlin compared to others?

“Laughlin and Columbus are equally backed up primarily due to T-6s available (MX issues) and IPs.

For example, we have 100 planes, but on any given day, only about 25-30 can fly due to MX issues and a lack of IPs.

I have no information on ENJJPT other than that they are also dropping heavies and fall under that memo.

Columbus keeps the speed up for the preflight and academics and intermingles exams and sims in the same week. You finish preflight and sit in the “waiting pool” until the flight line starts. Right now that wait is anywhere from 2-5 months.

Laughlin has similar delays but they drag out their preflight sims and academics (approximately one sim a week with exams vs the Columbus avg of 3ish sims a week) so that you finish preflight and roll straight to the flight line. (Basically just eliminating the waiting pool and dragging out academics).

Vance does things differently in the case where their syllabus has them take all the exams first and front load them. Once all academic exams are done, the sims start. They also have no delays. A friend of mine hired at my unit started after me and solos this week. Meanwhile, I haven’t even had my dollar ride.

Also, weird one off programs are coming out of Columbus:
1. They had a small group tryout going to Georgetown, TX, to build up their civilian licences, then coming back to Columbus and flying the T-6 for approximately 3 months (57 hours), then getting their wings.

2. Another small group is headed to Arizona in a month to do a similar civilian training program. They will then follow up with training in Italy and then wings.

Transparently, it’s a cluster, and no one knows what’s going on. Sucks to see all the good dudes in T-38s screwed over by it all. Very thankful to be in the Guard.”

What are the prevailing MX issues? Mostly T-6s? I thought there was a T-38 issue? I didn’t realize it’s mainly T-6s and FTUs.

“The T-6 MX issues are that it’s contracted maintenance who’s on their own timeline, and there’s no sense of urgency since they’re on a multi-year contract with the USAF. Basically, they’re working like they’re getting paid by the hour, and to add that, there are supply chain issues with parts allegedly.

There probably is a T-38 issue too, but it appears from the memo and brief we received that the biggest issue is people who drop fighters from T-38s are waiting 1+ year to go to the B-Course so Big Air Force’s solution to that is continuing to have T-38 tracks but sending everyone besides the top of the class + guard/reserve to heavies or T-6 FAIP to fix the B-Course delays.”