Iowa Lakes Aviation takes on Air Force JROTC Training

by Tim Busch

This summer, Iowa Lakes Aviation is helping Air Force JROTC students earn their FAA Private Pilot licenses. The training will include ground, simulator and flight training over eight weeks.

The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world. The National Defense Act of 1916 established organized JROTC programs at public and private educational institutions. In 1964, Congress expanded the program to all military services and changed from active duty to shared support from the services and schools. As congressionally mandated by Title 10 United States Code, Section 2031, each military service must have a JROTC program to “instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the values of citizenship, service to the United States, and personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.” JROTC’s mission, “To Motivate Young People to be Better Citizens”, is the guide post for the program’s success. JROTC combines classroom instruction with service to school and community, extracurricular and social activities and the chance to take on leadership roles. For those high school students who are interested in pursuing a career in the military, JROTC offers relevant experience and an opportunity to improve entry-level rank.

The Air Force identified a shortage of 2000 pilots and made a conscious decision to increase training opportunities for pilot candidates to help fill these slots. A program was developed and invitations to bid were sent out to colleges around the country. Iowa Lakes bid on the program and was one of the colleges selected for this training.

The students will be coming from across the country to learn to fly in Estherville, Iowa. Students register for the camp through their local Air Force JROTC office. The JROTC summer program is a natural extension of the Iowa Lakes Aviation program and use current Iowa Lakes flight instructors to teach existing ground and flight courses. Although students attending the camp are not committed to joining the Air Force, those who wish to join will have a big step ahead of other candidates. Students attending the camp will learn a variety of subjects including basic aerodynamics, controls and instruments, maneuvers, the National Airspace System, weather, and flight planning.

Although students attending the camp are not committed to joining the Air Force, those who wish to join will have a big step ahead of other candidates. Students attending the camp will learn a variety of subjects including basic aerodynamics, controls and instruments, maneuvers, the National Airspace System, weather, and flight planning.

Tim Busch, Chief Flight Instructor and Aviation Department Coordinator at Iowa Lakes said, “This will be a great experience for the students. I hope they will decide to stay for the fall semester and continue to earn their Aviation A.A.S. degree at Iowa Lakes whether they decide on an Air Force career or another path in aviation. We have developed a first-class aviation program in Estherville, including new flight simulators, additional airplanes with GPS and moving map displays and we have a great team of flight instructors. We look forward to working with the Air Force and helping these students succeed in launching new careers in aviation.”

UPDATE: 28 days in we have 100% soloed!