2008-2009 Catalog - United States Air Force Academy

are extracurricular flying courses available?
Yes. Cadets may participate in flying through extracurricular programs such as soaring, parachuting, and the Cadet Aviation
Club. Soaring training is held on a year-round basis and is available to every cadet. The basic course includes dual and solo
instruction involving approximately fifteen flights. Upper-class cadets can compete for selection to Soaring Instructor Pilot
Training. Once qualified, the cadet instructors, who are supervised by rated Air Force officers, instruct other cadets. Some
selected upper-class cadets who have completed advanced flying programs may earn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
certificate through the rating of flight instructor and join the Soaring Society of America. All soaring is conducted in either
Academy sailplanes or powered gliders. Parachute training is also available to selected cadets who volunteer and meet stringent
physical requirements. The basic parachuting course involves five freefall jumps. Some selected cadets from the basic course
will take advanced courses to become parachute instructors for other cadets. These instructors, known as jumpmasters, may
become members of the “Wings of Blue” parachute team and may qualify for a U.S. Parachute Association rating. The Cadet
Aviation Club is open to all cadets who are interested in pursuing flying as an extracurricular activity. As members of the club,
cadets can earn FAA ratings from private pilot through instructor pilot. Also, selected cadets may become members of the
Cadet Competition Flying team.
when do cadets first enter the academic program?
After you’ve completed BCT and have been admitted to the cadet wing, you’ll be scheduled for classes at the beginning of the
academic year in early August. The year is divided into two semesters, each containing approximately seventeen weeks of
instruction, with breaks scheduled for holidays and leave periods.
do all cadets take the same classes?
The Academy requires all cadets to take a core curriculum. This core curriculum covers a broad spectrum of classes in
humanities, social sciences, engineering, basic sciences, and physical education. This core load makes up ninety-six semester
hours of the academic program and is the foundation for a cadet’s future service as an officer in the Air Force. Cadets then
receive further specialization in one of thirty-two Academy majors currently offered.
are cadets counseled on the selection of a major?
Most definitely. Cadets are advised by Academic Advisors who discuss the academic majors in relation to career areas and
opportunities in the Air Force. After selecting a major, you’ll be assigned to a faculty advisor from an academic department who
will assist you with course selections, schedules, and other academic matters.
can cadets transfer credits or validate courses?
When you enter the Academy, you’ll take several validation tests offered by the various academic departments. Successful
completion of a test will enable you to be placed in an accelerated or advanced course or perhaps to receive validation credit
and substitute another course. Representatives from each department review transcripts of new cadets who have prior college
credit. Credit may be awarded for any college course satisfactorily completed that is equivalent to a course in the Academy
curriculum. A cadet who passes a validation examination or who makes an acceptable score on a College Board Advanced
Placement examination may also earn validation credit. Departments certify this credit to the Office of Registrar, Customer
Service.
178 United States Air Force Academy Catalog