Tue, Jun 16, 2009
The first Afghan officer to train in the United States in
nearly 50 years earned his pilot wings in a ceremony at Columbus
Air Force Base. Lt. Faiz Mohammed Ramaki was presented his pilot
wings by Col. Roger Watkins, 14th Flying Training Wing commander,
after completing the Aviation Leadership Program.
The Aviation Leadership Program is a scholarship for flying
training that includes English language training, 25 hours of
flight screening in a civil aircraft, such as a Cessna 172 Skyhawk,
335 academic and ground training hours and approximately 167 flight
hours and simulator sorties. The flying portion of the program
usually takes 9 to 10 months to complete.
"The ALP program was challenging and difficult," remarked a
proud Lieutenant Ramaki. "Succeeding in the ALP is an
accomplishment; but while this is a good day for me, it is a great
day for my country." Lieutenant Ramaki will continue his flying
training in his next aircraft, the C-27A Spartan. The Afghanistan
military should start receiving the first of 20 Italian-built
C-27's late this summer.
When asked what he missed most of his native Afghanistan,
Lieutenant Ramaki glowed at the memories of his family, his
countrymen, culture and language.
"It will be good to return," said Lieutenant Ramaki. One of the
first Afghan pilots to train in the U.S., retired Col. Ghulam
Mustafa Tayer, traveled to the U.S. in 1958.
Sixty-one Afghan pilot candidates will spend up to 30 months in
the U.S.; they'll attend English language training before follow-on
pilot training with the Air Force, Army and Navy. Thirty
experienced Afghan army air corps pilots will spend up to 10 months
in the U.S.; they'll also attend English language training followed
by aircraft instrument flight qualification and return to the Kabul
Air Wing for C-27 qualification training.
"Be proud of your accomplishments at Columbus," said Colonel
Watkins. "You will go back to your country and share what you
learned with other air corps pilots." [ANN Salutes Sonic Johnson,
14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs]
More News
Maximum Authorized Altitude A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on >[...]
Aero Linx: Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) The Soaring Safety Foundation (SSF) is the Training and Safety arm of the Soaring Society of America (SSA). Our mission is to provide ins>[...]
From 2013 (YouTube Version): Dracula Lives On Through Kyle Franklin... and We're NOT Scared! ANN CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Jim Campbell speaks with Aerobatic and airshow master, Kyl>[...]
“For Montaer Aircraft it is a very prudent move to incorporate such reliable institution as Ocala Aviation, with the background of decades in training experience and aviation>[...]
Also: ForeFlight Upgrades, Cicare USA, Vittorazi Engines, EarthX We have a number of late-breaking news highlights from the 2024 Innovation Preview... which was PACKED with real ne>[...]