After attending a space-based training course, six Air Force engineers are moving the Air Force toward a true aerospace force. The four-week Aerospace Vehicle Test Course wrapped up Nov. 2 at U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards. Now in its second year, the course is designed to prepare space testers for an increasing number of programs using trans-atmospheric vehicles, space-based assets and sensor-to-shooter systems, said Maj. Kelly Greene, AVTC course director.

“The Air Force has a stake in a number of space projects such a the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle and the X-40 Space Maneuver Vehicle,” she said. “Unfortunately, we only have a small number of trained space testers. This course was designed to meet this shortfall and provide the proper training.”

This years’ students included Maj. Bob Jones, a developmental engineer with the 412th Test Wing at Edwards, and Capt. Bob Bodwell and 1st Lt. Ted Earp, both aerospace engineers with Edwards’ Access to Space Office. In addition, Capt. Tom Lenz, 2nd Lt. Mike Walter and 2nd Lt. Dave Drummond, all of Space and Missile Systems Center at Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., also graduated Nov. 2.

According to Earp, his new knowledge will benefit his office, Access to Space, because the office works closely with the aerospace vehicle programs at NASA. “It has also allowed me to see a side that we don’t get to do, which is the actual space operation,” he said.

Emphasizing aerospace plane and X-vehicle testing, the course curriculum includes approximately 80 hours of academics, space test projects, field trips and flights in several different aircraft — including a glider, a T-38 and an F-16.

The students visited several sites during their field trips, including Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Vandenberg Air Force Base Spaceport, and Dryden Flight Research Center here. The visits included briefings on the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle, being developed for use with the International Space Station, and a landing in a space shuttle simulator at Johnson. The visit to Dryden included experience in an X-33 simulator and a look at the X-38 demonstrator used here.

“Going to Johnson Space Center and see what the astronauts go through, the shuttle simulators, and getting the opportunity to fly — it’s been a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Klemz.

“I got a glimpse into aircraft tests and space tests and the bridge between them, between NASA and the Air Force.”

One of the highlights of the course was a two-hour presentation on the X-15 given by California State Senator Pete Knight, retired Maj. Gen. Joe Engle and Bill Dana, all X-15 pilots, and Johnny Armstrong, an X-15 flight test engineer. They were joined for a third hour by retired Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager and Fitz Fulton, who piloted the B-52 that released the X-15 and X-1.

“It seems all the focus is on the current launch vehicles and satellites,” Klemz said. “But the aircraft side, the X-15 and all the past projects, aren’t talked about much. Having the opportunity to listen to Chuck Yeager and the X-15 pilots like Joe Engle speak, it’s just been great.”