<p>In order to provide aircrew for its massive fleet, the US Air Force has a large and well-organized training effort. At present, potential fliers are graded during a short course on the Sligsby T-3 Firefly or Cessna T-41 before progressing to the basic phase, accomplished using the Cessna T-37, followed by the advanced phase using the Northrop T-38. A major re-equipment plan is under way, introducing three new types to replace the three current designs. For the basic phase, the USAF has the JPATS program which will bear fruit in the late 1990s for a T-37 replacement. A list of six contenders has already been drawn up, including both turboprop- and jet-powered designs.
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<p>For the advanced phase, the stream will split into two tracks: the Bomber/Fighter Training System which will continue with T-38s until a suitable successor can be found in the next deacde, and the Tanker/Transport Training System for pilots destined for the large aircraft fleets. Due to a shortfall in T-38 capacity, the TTTS was the first requirement to be filled to relieve the problem, the Beech T-1 Jayhawk being the chosen vehicle. A handful of T-43s, based on the civil Boeing 737, undertake the navigation training function at Randolph AFB.
