Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Question? How Many Trained F-35 Pilots are There? Read This to See the Answer

November 6, 2017 Maj. Chris Campbell, 461st Flight Test Squadron director of operations, is an F-16 test pilot
FighterSweep Staff No Comments Air Force, Military Aviation, News, Photos, Video

So what did you guess? 100? 250? How many trained F-35 pilots do you think there are?

Answer: 500!

Congratulations to Major Chris Campbell, a former F-16 test pilot who recently became the 500th trained F-35 pilot!

“As a test pilot, working on the F-35 is an opportunity for me to be a real force-multiplier,” Campbell said. “Flying the F-35 has been a long-term goal of mine. I am thrilled to be part of the program and I hope to make a positive impact.”

While training as an F-35A student pilot at Eglin Air Force Base, Campbell completed approximately 200 hours of academics, 14 simulators, a high-speed taxi, and six flights in the aircraft before being deemed qualified.

The coursework takes full advantage of emerging technology by leveraging virtual reality training for pilots to compliment the military’s most advanced weapon system.

“As we discover new ways to employ the F-35 based on its expanding capabilities, we have to adapt the way we train our pilots to ensure they meet the needs of our combat air forces,” said Col. Paul D. Moga, 33rd Fighter Wing commander. “The world of fifth-gen tactics is rapidly evolving. It is changing the way we think, train and execute as a joint and multi-national force.” – Air Education and Training Command

Featured image of a U.S. Air Force F-35 student pilot climbing into an F-35 Lighting II at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz by US Air Force Staff Sgt. Jensen Stidham

Maj. Chris Campbell, 461st Flight Test Squadron director of operations, is an F-16 test pilot

Related Posts

  • Boeing Delivers 500th 787 Dreamliner to Air FranceBoeing Delivers 500th 787 Dreamliner to Air France
  • Is Naval Aviation Culture Dead?Is Naval Aviation Culture Dead?
  • Start Your 2017 With a Bang! Some F-22 Raptor Mania!Start Your 2017 With a Bang! Some F-22 Raptor Mania!
  • E-2C Aviators Awarded Medals for Valor in March MishapE-2C Aviators Awarded Medals for Valor in March Mishap
  • Development of JSTARS Replacement Underway!Development of JSTARS Replacement Underway!

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

  • September 4, 2019

    Photo Gallery: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • Lars Dirch Sørensen This didn't age well.
  • Speir Mor Media Amazing history and pride in the old B-52! And that’s one hell of a range. [...]
  • disqus_lkVjMrnsGt As an 8th grader in 1960 I first became acquainted with the 1952 Washington [...]
  • SWS Irrational fears and misinformation is not a reason to get a waiver from a [...]

© Copyright 2022 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...