FA-18 Sim Tour
Back Row (left to right): LtCol Andy Sanchez, Cadets Kyle Higgins, Alex Ramos, Aaron Jackson, F/A-18 Hornet pilots: Lt(jg) Heath Hoppes, USN, and 1Lt Chris Alvino, USMC; Cadets Andrew Handrop, Kyle Newman, LtCol Steve Handrop, and Capt Dennis Ammann. Front Row (left to right): Cadets Douglas Saavedra, Anthony Dungca, Matthew Lytle, Allen Vega, and Joe Moreno.
San Diego, CA – San Diego Cadet Squadron 144 was invited by LtCol Andy Sanchez, Activities Officer, South San Diego Cadet Squadron 201 to attend an F/A-18 Hornet flight simulator training session with the “Sharpshooters” of Marine Fighter-Attack Training Squadron 101 (VMFAT-101), Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar on Friday, 24 March 2006. The Sharpshooters are a replacement air group (RAG) squadron that trains new Navy/Marine pilots from Pensacola, FL how to fly the F/A-18 Hornet. Once their training is complete in about 9-12 months, they’re sent to a fleet squadron where they begin their USN or USMC flying career. Our hosts were 1Lt Chris “Vino” Alvino, USMC and Lt(jg) Heath “Darkness” Hoppes, USN, both are students in the RAG syllabus about halfway through their training. 1Lt Alvino is from Glenrock, NJ and majored in political science at Bucknell University, Louisburg, PA. Lt(jg) Hoppes is from Fremont, NE and majored in accounting at the University of SC.
The following CAP personnel attended the simulator training session:
South SD Cadet Sq. 201: LtCol Steve Handrop, Commander, LtCol Andy Sanchez, Activities Officer, C/1Lt Kyle Newman, C/MSgt Anthony Dungca, C/MSgt Andrew Handrop, C/SrA Matthew Lytle, C/A1C Aaron Jackson, C/A1C Allen Vega, and C/AB Joe Moreno
SD Cadet Sq. 144: Capt Dennis Ammann, PAO, C/SSgt Alex Ramos, C/SSgt Kyle Higgins, and C/Amn Douglas Saavedra.
Once assembled in front of the F/A-18 Hornet Training Facility, the combined squadrons were greeted by 1Lt Alvino and Lt(jg) Hoppes who briefly introduced themselves and explained the procedures to access the building. A group photo was taken just prior to entering the building as no cameras or cell phones were authorized inside the building.
The group was split in half with 1Lt Alvino escorting his group to the instrument trainer. This trainer consisted of three large screens in front of a Hornet cockpit and provided night/increment weather conditions for students. Each cadet was given the opportunity to fly the trainer.
Lt(jg) Hoppes escorted the other half to the daytime trainer. They were greeted by Mr. Andrew Galuppo the simulator operator/instructor who supervises the training, ensuring the equipment is up and running properly. This trainer like the night trainer has a complete cockpit with canopy. The cadets were shown the landing gear switches, heads up display, altimeter, speed indicator, compass, and the most important (to them) the buttons for machine guns and missiles. Another important selector switch was the toggle for bomb ejection. Most of the cadets headed for downtown San Diego and flew between the skyscrapers and over the bridge, then buzzing over Qualcomm Stadium. C/SSgt Alex Ramos stated, "Having flown a real military flight simulator and home computer game types, it's pretty cool to know that they're almost the same (except for the size)." C/SSgt Kyle Higgins commented that, "What a great opportunity to get in the cockpit of a flight simulator. I though the realism of the cockpits were really cool." Although they had a lot of fun, valuable training was experienced flying a multi-million dollar jet without damaging the aircraft or their fellow cadets who flew back seat with them.
After the allotted time was over, the CAP squadrons were escorted back to the lobby and thanked Lieutenants Alvino and Hoppes for the opportunity to feel what it must be like to fly an F/A-18 Hornet. This was the third time LtCol Sanchez set up simulator flight training for CAP cadets and he is greatly appreciated by both squadrons for this wonderful opportunity. Who knows, perhaps he can lay claim to inspiring a few future fighter pilots who were former San Diego CAP cadets!
