On Friday, September 30th GSRA Cadets had an AWESOME training day at Aviation Challenge. Our morning began bright and early at 0400 hours as we boarded the bus for our adventure in Huntsville, Alabama. After a four hour bus ride and breakfast at McDonalds we arrived at the training center and were excited to see lots of airplanes and the water survival training area.
Throughout the course of the day, each squad participated in four different training exercises: land survival, flight physiology, flight simulators and water survival. The purpose of these exercises was to help cadets experience firsthand all of the topics we have been studying in class for the past 6 weeks.
In the land survival portion of the training cadets studied the basics of survival in the wilderness and learned that being able to make a fire and construct a sturdy shelter were two of the most important skills.
Shelter Video Download Building Shelter
During flight physiology cadets experienced the Barney chair, which is a device used in pilot training to introduce cadets to the spatial disorientation pilots can feel when flying in low visibility conditions or when an aircraft malfunctions. Spatial disorientation is when a pilot’s perception of direction does not agree with reality. Because there are abnormal accelerations in flight, the vestibular and proprioceptive systems function differently and cause visual and sensory illusions that can confuse a pilot during flight. Training for these events and learning to trust the airplane instruments help pilots remain safe when spatial disorientation occurs.
Barney Chair Video Download Barney Chair
In addition to the Barney chair cadets also experienced a human centrifuge. This device, a small two person capsule on the end of a revolving arm, is designed to test the reactions and tolerance of pilots to acceleration above that of earth’s gravity. This particular centrifuge is almost identical to what NASA and the Navy use to train their pilots and astronauts. As the rotational speed of the capsule increased, cadets experienced approximately 3 G’s, meaning they felt three times heavier than normal.
Centrifuge Videos
The third training exercise was flight simulators. Cadets learned to fly the F-18 Super Hornet; first, they mastered takeoffs, turns, and landings. After showing proficiency at these basic skills they learned a little about radar navigation and dog fighting. We had some regular Top Guns amongst our cadets- no one was safe in the skies. Tally-ho!
Flight Simulator Video Download Flight Simulator
Splish, splash, splish, splash! Our final adventure was a water survival course comprised of two different training exercises. The first was practicing different exit techniques in an egress trainer called the helo dunker. After simulating a helicopter crash, cadets learned how to quickly exit the vehicle and help any wounded to safety.
Helo Dunker Videos
Download Helo Dunker With Injuries
Once everyone was accounted for and clear of the vehicle, the rescue helicopter arrived and lifted cadets to safety. Although the water was a little cold, the helo dunker and helicopter rescue were crowd favorites.
Helicopter Rescue Videos
We wrapped up the day with a pizza buffet and then loaded the buses for our trek back to Powder Springs. Cadets were pretty worn out when our bus pulled into the Vaughan parking lot at 11:30 p.m., but a great day was had by all!
