This Air Force Glider Can Pull 7 Gs

Inside the United States Air Force Academy’s TG-16 glider, a fully aerobatic military training aircraft capable of pulling +7 Gs and -5 Gs. In this BeSnappy interview, we take a close look at the TG-16 glider used by the U.S. Air Force Academy to train future pilots. Sam from the 94th Flying Training Squadron explains how cadets can go from having no flying experience to potentially soloing a glider through the Academy’s flight training program. This aircraft has a 60-foot wingspan, fixed landing gear, a 42:1 glide ratio, and powerful double-story air brakes that allow pilots to descend without building too much airspeed. We also talk about how the TG-16 is launched by a tow plane such as a Piper Super Cub, how high they tow for aerobatic training, and why gliders are such an effective way to teach flying skills. The United States Air Force Academy operates one of the busiest daytime VFR glider operations in the United States, flying tens of thousands of sorties each year and training hundreds of cadets. In this video, we cover: How the TG-16 glider is used for Air Force pilot training Why the Air Force Academy trains cadets in gliders How glider air brakes work What a 42:1 glide ratio means How gliders are launched by tow planes How cadets can solo a glider Why ground effect is so powerful in a glider How this aircraft can be packed into a trailer and reassembled Why the TG-16 is fully aerobatic and capable of serious G-force limits If you love military aviation, pilot training, gliders, aerobatic aircraft, or unique aircraft walkarounds, this TG-16 Air Force Academy glider tour is a fascinating look inside one of the most important early training aircraft used by future U.S. Air Force pilots. Subscribe to BeSnappy for more aircraft tours, pilot interviews, military aviation stories, airshow access, and rare aircraft walkarounds. #AirForceAcademy #USAirForce #Glider #TG16 #PilotTraining #MilitaryAviation #Aviation #AircraftWalkaround #GliderPilot #Aerobatics #BeSnappy