Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler, the first international student at the F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, completed his first sortie in the F-35B on 19 March. Buchler, who is training to be an F-35B instructor pilot, flew with US Marine Corps Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501). Buchler prepared for his flight at the base’s Academic Training Center, which features full flight simulators. Marine Capt. Daniel Flately was Buchler's instructor pilot and flew as his wingman in another F-35B during the sortie. A student pilot transitioning from other aircraft requires ten flight hours to become a qualified F-35 pilot. Buchler is scheduled to complete his training sorties by early April.
