BLACKSBURG, Va., Nov. 18, 2009 – The 48th Flying Training Squadron of the 14th Flying Training Wing from Columbus Air Force base, Mississippi, will conduct a military aircraft flyover with two T-1A Jayhawk twin-engine advanced training aircraft prior to the Virginia Tech versus North Carolina State game on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The flyover, which will occur during the National Anthem and barring any weather or operational factors, is being hosted by the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used in the advanced phase of specialized undergraduate pilot training for students selected to fly airlift or tanker aircraft. It is also used to support navigator training for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and international services. It has a maximum speed of 538 miles per hour, a ceiling of 41,000 feet, and a range of 2,900 miles.
The aircraft will be flown by four crewmen, three of whom are Virginia Tech graduates.
Flying the lead jet will be Col. George Ross, Virginia Tech Class of 1984 who earned a degree in mechanical engineering from the College of Engineering, in honor of this weekend’s 25th reunion for the Class of 1984.
Also in the formation are Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets graduates Capt. Marty Slovinsky, Class of 2000 who earned a degree in management from the Pamplin College of Business; and Capt. Tremayne Godbee, Class of 2002, who earned a degree in biology from the College of Science and a minor in leadership studies.