Colorado Firm Hopes To Expand From Screening To Training

The U.S. Air Force reportedly is looking at giving its UAS pilots some actual stick time, and a company in Colorado hopes to be able to provide that.

Doss Aviation has been the Air Force's screener for potential pilots since 2006, and the company is hoping for a modification of its contract to include initial flight training at Pueblo, CO Municipal Airport (KPUB). Program manager Paul Walker told The Pueblo Chieftain the company hopes to have the contract modification in place by early 2011.

Doss already provides initial training for Air Force Officers at KPUB before they move on to more advanced aircraft. Expanding the training to UAS pilots would increase the number currently in the program from 1,850 to 2,250, according to the paper. That would require about 5 additional employees and some new airplanes as well, Walker said.

USAF Global Hawk

The company says the UAS candidates would get the same training as the other pilots. In fact, Walker said, the UAS pilots would probably fly more.

FMI: www.dossaviation.com, www.af.mil