by Ricky Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach
(CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas) – A 2011
Boulder Creek High School graduate and Desert Hills, Arizona
native is participating in the lengthy and rigorous training process that
transforms U.S. Navy officers into Navy pilots.
Ensign Jake Felton is a student pilot with the “Wise Owls” Training Squadron (VT-31), based
in Corpus, Christi, Texas, that operates the T-44A Pegasus aircraft. As a student, Felton
is responsible for gaining the foundational
skills and experience needed to successfully be both a naval aviator.
“I get a thrill from
overcoming new challenges that requires being a great pilot,” said Felton. “I
also love being a part of one of the finest military training commands that the
Navy has to offer. “
The T-44A is a twin-engine,
pressurized, fixed-wing monoplane used for advanced turboprop radar aircraft
training using two 550 shaft horsepowered engines, with a cruising
airspeed of 281 mph.
VT-31’s primary mission is to train future
naval aviators to fly as well as instill leadership and officer values, Navy
officials explained. Students must complete four phases of flight training
in order to graduate, including aviation pre-flight indoctrination, primary
flight training, and advanced flight training. After successfully completing
the rigorous program, naval aviators earn their coveted “Wings of Gold.”
After graduation, pilots continue their training to learn how
to fly a specific aircraft, such as the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet strike fighter
jet, the P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft or the SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.
They are later assigned to a ship or land-based squadron.
Many of the pilots will fly aircraft which take off from and
land aboard aircraft carriers, a unique capability which allows the Navy to
operate anywhere on the world’s oceans. Recently, Navy attack aircraft
operating from aircraft carriers sailing in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and
from Middle East waters have launched hundreds of strike missions against
terrorist targets in Iraq and Syria.
As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s squadrons with the
newest aircraft platforms, Felton said he and other VT-31 sailors are proud to be part
of a warfighting team that readily defends America at all times.
“I love being here because of the exceptional command
climate,” said Felton. “Not only does it offer a
good balance of a student and instructor relationship but also a collaborative
pilot and co-pilot teamwork ethic.”
Jobs are highly varied at VT-31, according to Navy officials.
Approximately 69 men and women officers
and 15 civilian employees make up and keep all parts of the squadron running
smoothly -- this includes everything from maintaining airframes and engines, to
processing paperwork, handling weaponry, and flying the aircraft.
“Every day I feel an extraordinary amount of
pride to serve alongside our great Nation’s most inspiring men and women,” said
Cmdr. Samuel D. Gage, commanding officer of VT-31. “Our team is filled with
hardworking and highly qualified professionals who hold uncommon levels of
responsibility and accountability in support of our mission: to maintain, fly,
and train future naval aviators. Their work ethic, commitment, enthusiasm, and
esprit de corps are second to none!"
Serving in the Navy, Felton
is learning about being a more responsible leader, Sailor and person through
handling numerous responsibilities.
“The Navy has taught me to be
adaptable and flexible in a never-ending challenging environment,” said Felton.
“Becoming a student naval aviator not only requires a rigorous training program
but you learn that no mission or operation can be completed without teamwork
from your aircrew.”