99 -- Aircrew Flight Training Services

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: HQ AETC, Randolph AFB, TX, is researching possible interim services to provide in-house powered flight training (aircraft and maintenance) for USAFA cadets. Potential period of performance would be from Oct 2008 through the end of Sep 2013. All training will occur at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). AETC is seeking information regarding vendors? ability to support USAF powered flight training by providing 20 single engine propeller aircraft and a full maintenance package. The vendor will need to provide 10 aircraft by 1 Oct 08 and an additional 10 aircraft by late summer 2009. The final number of aircraft will be 20. Aircraft will be operated as ?public use? and flown by military instructor pilots. Aircraft will be housed on USAFA airfield using existing facilities. Additional information: Projected student load is approximately 600 students per year. Powered Flight syllabus consists of elementary instruction in basic aircraft maneuvers and airmanship to motivate cadets toward continued flight training and service in the USAF. This is not a screening program, but rather a flight familiarization program open to all cadets. No rating is awarded for the training. The aircraft requirement is for a light, single engine prop, FAA certified aircraft suitable for basic flight training. Aircraft supplied need not be new. One aircraft type will be used for all training. To enhance student learning, an identical or nearly identical cockpit layout in each aircraft is envisioned The required standards are as follows: AIRCRAFT. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. Aircraft must meet all of the minimum requirements listed below to be considered acceptable by the Government to execute this contract. 1. FAA certificated for normal category or higher single engine aircraft must be certified prior to proposal submission. 2. Fixed tricycle gear. 3. Crosswind: At least 15 Knots. 4. Aircraft Weight & Balance: For Center of Gravity (CG) and maximum takeoff weight considerations: As light as one solo student weighing 80 pounds, as heavy as 277 pounds, or two aircrew weighing a total of 450 pounds (which includes flight suit, boots, and checklists, but does not include survival equipment stored on the aircraft). 5. Flight Duration: Aircraft must fly a 1.5 hour training sortie with a minimum 30 minutes of fuel reserves. Fuel reserves must be computed based on 10,000 foot cruising altitude. 6. Climb rate: 500 feet per minute (FPM) at 10,000' density altitude with 450 pounds of aircrew and the required fuel. 7. Climb speed: Specified climb speed must be at least 10 KIAS above the level-flight stall speed at maximum takeoff weight. 8. Area performance: Perform a sustained level 45-degree banked turn at 10,000' density altitude with 450 pounds of aircrew and the required fuel. 9. Takeoff and Landing Performance: Able to safely takeoff and land at 10,000 feet density altitude, no headwind, wet, 3,500 foot long runway using normal (not short field) takeoff and landing procedures. 10. Avionics: Dual communication with single VOR Navigation / Mode C reporting transponder, ELT, Global Positioning System (GPS) (IFR certification not required), clock, outside air temperature readout, audio panel and integral intercom. 11. Noise level: Aircraft fly-over noise levels must be in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulation Part 36. 12. Aircraft flight controls: All aircraft flight and fuel controls must be accessible from both front seats, with seat belts / shoulder harnesses fastened. Aircraft must be able to be operationally flown from any seat with control access. 13. Ground Operations: Aircraft walk around must be performed in a timely manner, with required pre-flight items easily and safely inspected. 14. Flight Manual: Aircraft flight manual will provide all necessary technical information for the contractor and the government to derive applicable Operating Limits and Boldface (Critical Action Procedures) for student training. The contractor will also provide checklists for all normal and emergency procedures. 15. Performance Data: The contractor will provide performance data for takeoff, climb, cruise, endurance and landing in conditions up to a 10,000 density altitude. The contractor will provide performance data for cruise up to 13,000 pressure altitude. 16. Brakes: Toe brakes operated from both front seats. DESIRABLE- Aircraft that meet any of the requirements listed below will be considered by the government as exceeding contract requirements. 1. Crosswind: 20 Knots. 2. Aircraft Weight & Balance: For Center of Gravity (CG) and maximum takeoff weight considerations: Three aircrew weighing a total of 675 pounds (which includes flight suit, boots, and checklists, but does not include survival equipment stored on the aircraft). 3. Climb rate: 600 feet per minute (FPM) at 10,000' density altitude with 450 pounds of aircrew and the required fuel 4. Avionics: A traffic alerting system. A 406 MHz ELT. 5. Flight Visibility: A full 270 horizontal degree field of view, field centered on the nose of the aircraft. Minimal obstructions permitted, i.e. window frames, canopy rails. Note: This is not intended to preclude a high-wing design. 6. Noise Level: Overfly noise levels at least 5dB below maximum limit specified in Federal Aviation Regulation part 36. 7. Instrumentation: All aircraft instruments must be visible and accessible from both seats, with seat belts/shoulder harnesses fastened. Daily operations should support a range of between a minimum of 35 sorties per day to a maximum of 65 sorties per day. The total annual sortie requirement will be approximately 6500 sorties. AETC is open to solutions to include but not limited to ?fee for service contract of 4 years with 1 year options.? Please provide a rough order of magnitude with your solution. Desired information to include is the recommended aircraft age, engine service time and projected life cycle. Reply electronically not later than 15 Feb 08 to Mr. Richard Simpson, HQ AETC/A3FI. E-mail address: Richard.simpson@randolph.af.mil. Due to scope of project, no phone calls will be taken.