Vance first assignment instructor pilot accumulates 2000 hours in T-6

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Captain Max Harrell, a T-6A Texan II instructor pilot with the 33rd Flying Training Squadron at Vance, accumulated his 2,000th hour in the aircraft Wednesday, April 8.

"This is record-setting for a first assignment instructor pilot in a T-6, especially on his first three year tour," said Lt. Col. Robert Capozella, commander of the 33rd FTS. "It's not an accomplishment most people have achieved in this aircraft. It shows a significant dedication to the mission here, and to producing future aviators."

Captain Harrell is a native of University City, Mo. He graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2003, and attended phases I and II of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Pensacola Naval Air Station. He track-selected for the T-38 Talon, and was sent to Vance AFB to complete phase III of JSUPT. He graduated with class 05-14 in September of 2005, and was assigned as a T-6 instructor pilot at Vance. He began his assignment in February of 2006. 

Since he completed the first two phases of pilot training at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Captain Harrell trained on the T-34. All the hours he has accumulated in the T-6 are from his time as an instructor. 

The T-6 is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer designed to train Joint Primary Pilot Training students in basic flying skills. Stepped-tandem seating in the single cockpit places one crew member in front of the other, with the student and instructor positions being interchangeable. Each student pilot receives approximately 90 hours of flight training instruction over 22 weeks of training. 

During his assignment at Vance Captain Harrell has seen eight classes through their T-6 training. According to Captain Harrell, some of his best experiences as an instructor pilot were the times when he was able to help students who were struggling early in their training develop into capable aviators. 

"To see that you had such an important role in them making it past that first gateway of flying solo and then blossoming into a good student is very rewarding." 

During his time as an instructor pilot, Captain Harrell logged his hours not only while teaching student pilots, but also on trips to perform in air shows. 

"I've had the opportunity to go cross-country just about every weekend and I've been allowed to visit almost every nook and cranny of the United States," said Captain Harrell. "Probably the coolest thing I got to do was lead a four-ship formation up to Seattle." 

The team took part in the Seattle Seafair show, which over two million spectators attended over the course of the weekend. Every day for three days the Vance IPs performed a single pass in four-ship formation over the crowd. 

"I've had a lot of really cool opportunities as part of this job. Getting to do the Arlington fly-by was also great. The man we flew for was a staff sergeant in World War II on a bomber, and he had recently passed away - we did it for his burial ceremony. As a FAIP you're doing a distant mission from the pointy end of the spear," explained Captain Harrell. "Doing the flyover for the ceremony, it felt like we were undertaking such a serious Air Force mission, because it's so important to remember the fallen heroes." 

Following his assignment here, Captain Harrell will be attending Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas in September. He will then go on to fly the F-15 E Strike Eagle, and will be stationed at Seymour-Johnson Air Force Base, N.C.