Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Students of the Aviation Character and Education Flight Program sit inside a life raft during their tour of Aircrew Flight Equipment July 19, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The life rafts are able to hold 25 people and are a mandatory item aboard mobility aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zoe M. Wockenfuss)Team Dover helps combat pilot shortage
                        
                        
                        Students of the Aviation Character and Education Flight Program sit inside a life raft during their tour of Aircrew Flight Equipment July 19, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The life rafts are able to hold 25 people and are a mandatory item aboard mobility aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Zoe M. Wockenfuss)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

ACE Flight Program helps combat pilot shortagePublished July 26, 2018
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Zoe M. Wockenfuss
                    
                    
                    436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
            **DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. (AFNS)  --**Dover Airmen hosted a group of 24 future pilots as participants of the Aviation Character Education Flight Program for a tour July 19, 2018, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.The ACE Flight Program is one of the new initiatives working to combat the growing pilot shortage affecting the Air Force. The program is a joint effort between the Air Force and Delaware State University to provide students initial flight training in civilian aircraft and a structured environment that provides exposure and education on military aviation careers. It is designed to motivate participants to pursue aviation careers, including the Air Force, through mentorship and tangible flight experiences.The students of the program were hand selected from their units, including Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, civil air patrol, AFROTC, the Air Force Academy and Air Force lieutenants preparing for undergrad pilot training. All of the participants are on a path toward aviation and excelled in their specific groups.During the three-week-long camp, students receive 15 hours of flight instruction and 5-10 hours of simulation instruction culminating in a solo flight.According to the Federal Aviation Administration, only 5.7 percent of Air Force pilots are women, 1.7 percent are African-American and 2 percent are Asian. The goal of the program is to motivate minorities and women to pursue careers in aviation while receiving mentorship from a diverse Total Force cadre.“We have a wide spread, from age to ethnicity to gender, and I think that’s the strength of America and that’s definitely the strength of our Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Kenyatta Ruffin, Division Chief of Outreach and Engagement for Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force.Of the 24 students participating, there are 11 high schoolers, eight Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets and three second lieutenants.During the tour of the base the ACE Flight Program students saw the air traffic control tower, radar approach control, aircrew flight equipment, toured a C-17 Globemaster III, had the chance to speak with some of Dover AFB’s officers and pilots, and visited the Air Mobility Command Museum.“It was really nice to see the different aspects of the Air Force, not just the pilot side of things; especially for the high schoolers,” said Caleigh McLean, Air Force Academy student, of the tour. “I think it’s important for them to see the other options the Air Force has for them.”The ACE Flight Program, whose staff includes Air Force officers and pilots who commissioned from a variety of sources, provide insight to the students and answer any questions concerning the Air Force. The training was tailored to provide a broad overview of all things aviation to cater to the full spectrum of participants’ ages.A key take-away for the ROTC cadets was the networking connections they received from the officers and enlisted members they met throughout the camp.“At first I was very overwhelmed,” McLean said. “During the first flight the aircraft was flying me; I can’t really say I was flying it. I wasn’t sure I could do it but the second flight was completely different. I was flying and had total control, it was amazing to see the jump in improvement in just 24 hours.”In addition to the flight hours, the students receive aviation ground training and use virtual reality simulation technology to enhance their skills.“This program has shown me that this is definitely the job I want for myself; being up in the air and being in control of an aircraft is amazing,” said Joanna Winborn, Citadel student.Dover AFB 



C-17 



Globemaster III 



JROTC 



ROTC 



Aviation Character Education Flight Program 



ACE Flight Program 



Civil Air Patrol 



pilot 



shortage 



Delaware State University Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil