I had just received my study materials, and had began to look up to going when news came in that NFA-G (PA) was cancelled due to liaison problems. I received the word while attending the U.S. Air Force Academy Sports Camp for soccer. I was given the option of attending Oregon, or New Mexico's NFA-G. Unfortunately, both these academies overlapped the Middle East Region (Now National) Honor Guard Academy. New Mexico overlapped the second week, and Oregon overlapped the first week of HGA. I decided to go with Oregon, because I did not want to miss Honor Guard Academy graduation. I announced that I wanted to go to Oregon, and promptly received a response and orders from the project officer, Col Virginia Thompson, who had helped with Oregon NFA-G for years, and had just stepped up when the original project officer had stepped down. We got things situated, and before I knew it, I was on a flight to Oregon. When I arrived at the airport, I was greeted and taken to the Army National Guard center where we would stay. For the rest of the day, we relaxed, got situated, and met people.

The cadets were broken down into 4 flight, consisting of 4 cadets each. Each flight was assigned to their own glider, with their own flight instructor (CFI-G). The gliders were Schweizer 2-33's, dubbed as a paper box falling through the air, although it is the best trainer I can imagine. We also had a CAP corporate L-29 Super Blanik, a sleek, aerobatic, fun-to-fly glider. Our instructor for the L-29 was Capt David Bowden, of California Wing. We would take turns using the L-29 so we each got to fly it about 3 times.

The daily schedule included waking up at about 0545, breakfast at 0600, ground school from 0700-0800, then at the glider port after ground school to about 1700. First thing when we arrived at the glider port, we would await for the daily safety briefing. At it's conclusion, we would begin our preflights on our respective aircraft. Each day, there would be a different pre-flight chief, who was responsible for the proper inspection of their glider.

We would fly all day (as long as we could). When the glider required ground assistance (takeoff, landing), the whole flight would assist on the flight line. The rest of the time was spent off the flight line studying ground school, and doing the assigned work. Even if you weren't flying, it was still enjoyable. After the ground school was completed, we found ourselves playing such games as slap jack, liar, and poker (no betting, of course).

During the normal operations, the academy ran fairly smoothly. We had, at one time, 3 tow planes towing 4 gliders. That means the glider was only on the ground for a minute after landing. My flight, Charlie Flight, was assigned a 2-33 designated the name "Fruit Loops". You will see why in the picture section of this report. Our flight instructor was Lt Col Alex Hazelton, from Alaska Wing. For those of you who don't know him, he is truly a great guy. I had the most fun there because of him. The main thing was his cooperation and he would let you fly "solo", if you proved yourself. By solo, I don’t mean alone in the glider. I mean he would let the student do the certain parts, or even the whole flight with his minimum or no input. He was also very good at explaining things, and could always entertain a question.

On the weekend, we went to several air museums, and visited a beach. I do not remember any of the names except for the Tillamook Air Museum. We visited the Spruce Goose, and viewed a lot of interesting war planes. The weekend was definitely a fun break in the training schedule.

I won't go over it day by day, but I will sum it up for you. Each day presented a new challenge, and at the end of each day, that challenge was overcome. The nature of the academy was very good. Even today, I can remember all the things they "crammed" into our heads. This is because you were taught them in the air seconds before you had to perform them. Such things as approach speeds. You could memorize the number, but if the tell you it in the air, and they make you actually do it, you will always remember it.

The 2001 National Flight Academy - Glider in Oregon was definitely fun, and well worth it. At the end, I had gotten 17 flights, and just over 6 hours of quality instruction for about half of what I would have paid in the "normal" world. For those who are interested, I would highly recommend it. Make sure you say hi to everyone there for me. After you are done with basic NFA-G, you can go on to advanced NFA-G, which is being held this year (2002) in Colorado. There, you can even get your Glider Private License.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures, and I hope you attend next year's NFA-G in Oregon.