Flight simulator program hopes to spark youth's interest in education

by Delanie Stafford
55th Wing Public Affairs

2/10/2014 - OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Students from Alfonza W. Davis Middle School and Bellevue East High School visited Offutt Feb. 3 and 6 as part of a program that promotes learning by showing the students that with a good education, the sky's the limit.

"We attempt to use aviation and aeronautics as a hook to gain their interest," said Bob Rose, a retired Air Force captain and president of the Alfonza W. Davis chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. "Then we try to convince them that by embracing education they will be in much better position to achieve their dreams. We also try to impress upon them the traits of the Tuskegee Airmen."

Rose established the program as a way to promote aviation and education among youth while also preserving the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. More than 300 students from the local area have visited Offutt as part of the program since it began less than two years ago.

Until now, students were only given tours of the RC-135 simulator. Now they have the opportunity to visit other areas such as the security forces training facility and the air traffic control tower. While some students get an up-close look at small-arms weapons and tactics used by security forces, others take an elevator up to the thirteenth story of the air traffic control tower where they got a bird's-eye view of aircraft approaching and landing at Offutt's airfield.

Rose hopes the unique opportunities they get to experience at Offutt, such as flying the simulator, will stick with them as they return to their schools and that they will share those experiences with their peers.

"You can tell the difference, especially when they get back," Rose said. "They want to talk about who crashed, and who didn't crash, and who almost crashed...out of the thousands of people here at Offutt, there's probably only a few hundred that fly this machine. We've got 300 kids here in Nebraska who can say they've flown the RC-135."

Many of the students were nervous at the thought of piloting the $15 million flight simulator that is packed with buttons, lights, switches and moving parts. After a brief lesson, each took a turn piloting the simulator from the co-pilot seat where they performed take-offs, landings and aerial refueling.

"I was expecting it to be like video games and not very good graphics, but it was super real life," said Markell Riley, a Bellevue East High School student. "The motion was very realistic and made you feel like you were actually flying."

"You feel like you're actually in the airplane...the pressure and control of the yoke felt so real," said Lexi Johnson, a Bellevue East High School student.

Although nobody crashed during their flight (with a little help from the flight instructor), all gained a better appreciation of flying and the type of training required to pilot the aircraft.

"All of the controls were stressing me out," said Alaina Babbitt, a student from Alfonza W. Davis Middle School. "I would think [the pilots] would have to get some training in here before actually flying [the jet] just to make sure they knew the controls."

Rose said he works with local schools and youth organizations to identify students who might be interested in aviation or who would benefit the most from the experience. He says that the program is operated by volunteers and hopes to increase membership in the Alfonza W. Davis chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Rose emphasized that the organization is open to all. Anyone interested in joining the chapter can call Bob Rose at (402) 292-8912.