Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs) Workforce & Skills Development

Air Force nears competency-based pilot training overhaul and unveils T-19A aerobatic trainer

The 19th Air Force is nearing completion of a five-year shift from time- and event-based undergraduate pilot training to a competency-based curriculum. Separately, the service unveiled the T-19A, built by Game Aerospace Composites with corporate and civilian donations, as the foundation for a new aerobatic team and a platform to train future pilots.

Discovered 2026-11-12T06:14:43.291382-08:00 | 2026-11-12T06:14:43.291382-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

The five-year curriculum overhaul marks a change in how the Air Force structures undergraduate pilot training, moving from time- and event-based progression to demonstrated competency.
The T-19A adds a donated aircraft to the training environment and will form the basis of a new aerobatic team; the reports do not specify fleet size, cost or operational rollout.

Reported By

insidedefense.com Breaking Defense Aerospace America