BASIC FLIGHT TRAINING The purpose of the basic flight training program is to ensure that the new pilot is familiar with, and capable of, the rigors of Marine Aviation. This training is not for those that are "Weak Hearted."  It demands maximum effort, and considerable time, to become a qualified Marine Aviator.  Those that accept the challenge will be rewarded with the knowledge that they have completed something only a few are willing or able to complete. The training requirements are not unattainable, and the qualified pilots of VMF-214 stand ready to assist the new pilot at every evolution throughout the program.  Your completion of this program will not only earn you your Wings, but greatly improve your chances for survival in combat. The following tasks will be accomplished in the below listed order to complete basic flight training. 1. Ground school -This will include familiarization with the F4U-1A, selected training aircraft, basic flight instruction, and introduction to the POI (program of instruction). 2. Complete 10 successful airfield landings and take offs in sequence. 3. Complete 10 successful carrier traps & take offs in sequence. 4. Successfully complete Air to Air combat and formation flying. a. Successfully complete one air to air combat mission with no hits to your aircraft and destroy the opponent. b. Successfully complete one air to air combat mission with two kills in that mission, and complete an airfield landing successfully.  (Damage to your aircraft is allowed but to pass you must successfully land your aircraft at your home base after completing the required kills ) c. Successfully demonstate the following flight formations. 1. Figure 4 2. Parade 3. Trail 4. Right / Left Echelon d. Demonstrate the ability to conduct flight operations as a wingman. Upon graduation of Basic Flight Training pilots will be awarded their Naval Aviator Wings. Advanced Flight Training Advanced flight training will be conducted at Sqdn level for all pilots, and under the control of the Sqdn S-3 Officer. The following tasks are required to complete Advance Flight Training.   1. Successfully complete a bomber escort mission. (For testing purposes the bomber must return and land safely at its base) 2. Successfully complete a bomber intercept mission. (For testing purposes the bomber must be destroyed before it has landed at its home base.) 3. Successfully complete a wingman mission.  This task requires the wingman to sucessfully protect his leader while engaged in an air to air combat mission. (For testing purposes the leader must destroy at least one of the opposing aircraft.) 4. Successfully demonstrate the ability to conduct Close Air Support (CAS) while taking hostile ground fire. (CAS is considered strafing and bombing runs).