From: Buford Ness
Date: 10/02/13 23:21:37
To: Mark Sztanyo
Subject: X Class Reunion
US Air Force
Pilot Training Class “64 XI”
On July 25, 1963
twenty-nine 2nd Lieutenants became the first 45 week experiment UPT
class at Laughlin AFB, TX known as “64 XI”. Each pilot had to hold a FAA
Private Pilot License. Twenty-four graduated May 28th, 1964. Eight
more “X” classes (65 XA through 65 XH) would follow 64 XI. These nine
classes would be the forerunner of the Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training
that is used today. A new student pilot must first become qualified in
the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.
Of the original
twenty-nine members of Class 64 XI, three would die in the first five
years. Eleven would make the Air Force a career. Five would retire
from the Reserves. Fourteen would have a career with the airlines.
Two would retire from the Air Force and fly for an airline. Four would
hire on with Delta Air Lines in 1969 and one more in 1972. After the
buyout of Western, then the purchase of routes and aircraft from bankrupt Pan
Am there would now be ten with Delta Air Lines. The merge of Northwest
into Delta Air Lines picked up two more and now twelve of the twenty-four
graduates would be Delta Pilot Retirees. Fully one-half of the graduates
would end up with Delta Air Lines.
Air Force Pilot
Training Class 64 XI will meet in Branson, MO in April 2014 for our 50th Reunion.
64 XI had their first reunion in 1974. The tradition has been to meet
every five years and now we find ourselves at the Golden Anniversary of
Graduation from Air Force Pilot Training.
Other “X” Class
Pilots came to Delta also. I know of one. If any of the “X” Class
members of 65 XA through 65 XH should read this and know of other “X” Class
members who would like to meet with 65 XI in Branson, or just get in contact
with any of us, please contact me at my email address.
Buff Ness
(Retired Oct 1997) imbuffness@yahoo.com
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