Vance debuts lateral drift trainer Published Dec. 4, 2007 By 2nd Lt. Agneta Murnan 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Class 09-03 became Vance Air Force Base's first undergraduate pilot training class to use the Aerospace Physiology Flight's new lateral drift trainer during Phase I of UPT Wednesday. The trainer consists of a zip-line apparatus and platform between the unit's existing 2- and 4-foot platforms. To prepare for the event of a parachute landing fall after ejection, the student pilots jump from these platforms to practice safe landing techniques from different angles. Where the platforms are stationary, the LDT introduces forward momentum to the training, said Capt. Kris Ostrowski, 71st Medical Group APF commander. While the actual training on the drift trainer lasted roughly an hour for the class of 27, months of preparation and training have gone into the first use of the LDT. "Today we get to see how all of the planning worked out," said Airman 1st Class Joseph Santiago, AP technician. "The concept of the LDT was taken from Army Airborne School," said Airman 1st Class Arnold Munguia, Aerospace Physiology technician. "We asked about implementing it here." The idea was transformed into reality with the help of wing leadership. Col. Richard Klumpp Jr., 71st Flying Training Wing commander, was instrumental in getting this going, Captain Ostrowski said. According to the 71st APF, the team will evaluate Wednesday's training with a keen eye on improving the efficiency and timing.