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USAF MAJOR DAVE SKALICKY SPEAKS AT MGC AVIATION CAMPUS
By: Tricia Purser Release Date:10/01/2012
(Cochran, GA) – United States Air Force Major Dave Skalicky recently spoke to students on the Georgia Aviation Campus of Middle Georgia College about flying and employing the F-22 Raptor. Skalicky is the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team Commander and pilot at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. As a Team Commander, Skalicky leads the Demonstration Team in showcases around the world. He is also the operational F-22 instructor pilot assigned to the 1st Operations Group at Langley Air Force Base.
The F-22 Raptor is a fifth-generation super-maneuverable fighter aircraft that uses stealth technology, and was designed as an air superiority fighter. Skalicky spoke to students about the different characteristics of the F-22, such as stealth technology, super cruise, logistics, and avionics. The F-22 has improved stealth technology, which includes several techniques that it uses to make it less visible to detection methods. “There is no performance sacrifice for increased stealth,” said Skalicky.
Another characteristic of the F-22s is super cruise, which is the ability of the aircraft to go supersonic without using afterburners. “With super cruise, we can access 12 times the airspace as other aircraft,” Skalicky said.
The F-22s also have improved avionics and logistics. “The control and display panels give the pilot all relevant information at a glance,” said Skalicky.
“The F-22s have a multi-role capability,” said Skalicky, “We can accomplish more of a mission with one aircraft instead of using multiple aircrafts.”
After his presentation, Skalicky held a question and answer session with students, where he advised the students on how to advance in their aviation careers. “If you want to go fly something, you have to make sure you’re the best at it,” he said. “You have to be in control of things now, such as your grades.”
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