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Daedalian flying training gives successful applicants the opportunity to receive the ground and flight training necessary to achieve a solo flight in a general aviation fixed-wing aircraft. It is a partnership between our headquarters, participating flights, and local FAA-certified flight schools to help selected candidates take to the skies and address the aviation career pipeline shortage.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria: be a U.S. citizen, fluent in English, completing the sophomore year of high school or enrolled in an accredited college program, demonstrate the desire and be physically qualified to become a military aviator to serve in the armed forces of the United States.
The late Air Force Lt. Col. Les Leavoy was a veteran fighter pilot. He flew 122 combat missions in World War II. During the Korean conflict, Lt. Col. Leavoy trained fighter pilots at Luke AFB. During Vietnam, he flew 223 combat missions as the squadron commander of the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron & the 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron. During his U.S. Air Force career, Leavoy flew a total of 345 combat missions logging 537 combat hours. He had over 6,500 hours in fighter aircraft, including the P-40, P-47, P-51, F-84, F-86, and F-100. Lt. Col. Leavoy finished his career as the Air Force advisor to the Texas Air National Guard. Each year, the Les Leavoy Endowment provides funding to flight training candidates at DFW Flight 23.
The late Air Force Reserve Brig. Gen. David “Tex” Hill earned his wings as a naval aviator and, in 1941, was recruited by Claire Chennault to the 1st American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers). He became an ace in 1942 after shooting down four Japanese fighters and a bomber. He commanded a squadron in China and was a double ace with 12 aerial victories when the Flying Tigers disbanded in 1942. Hill then joined the USAAF flying the P-51, commanding the 23rd Fighter Group and scored six more victories against Japanese aircraft. He again saw combat during the Korean Conflict with the Texas Air Guard. The Tex Hill DFT Scholarship provides supplemental funding to participating Daedalian flights across the country.
“It’s our history to lead and our dedication to the future generations that make the Flying Training Program the beginning of a great circle of a military career.”
Then-Capt. B.A. Shwanda, USAF