What is the Fighter Aircrew Conditioning Programme (FACP)?
FACP, a programme of the United Stated Air Force (USAF), is designed to help aircrew members develop a personalised, comprehensive approach to G-fitness early in their flying career.
Sound physical conditioning habits not only improve performance in the G-environment, but may reduce or prevent injuries such as strains, sprains, and back and neck injuries.
Therefore, conditioning should be specific to the duration and demands of the High-G environment.
What is the Aim of FACP?
The aim of FACP is to improve the High-G fitness and execution of the Anti-G Straining Manoeuvre (AGSM) for fighter aircrew members and establish effective physical conditioning habits for all aircrew.
Outline of the FACP
The FACP consists of two phases:
- Education Phase:
- The Education phase is designed to educate aircrews on the components of fitness that are most important for improving AGSM performance.
- Assessment Phase:
- The Assessment phase is designed to highlight fitness strengths and weaknesses as a guide for developing a fitness programme to improve AGSM performance.
- This phase assesses muscular strength and endurance, with emphasis on the most important muscles for AGSM performance (abdominals and lower body).
- The assessment establishes individual baselines and areas for improvement.
- For Undergraduate Flying Training students only, a “follow-up” assessment measures how well the student is progressing toward improved G-fitness.
When is FACP Used?
FACP adds scheduled High-G fitness education and assessment to all Air Education & Training Command (AETC):
- Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT);
- Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF);
- Fighter/bomber Pilot Instructor Training (PIT); and
- Formal Training Unit (FTU) courses.
Reference
AETC (Air Education & Training Command) Instruction 11-406: Fighter Aircrew Conditioning Program (FACP). 03 May 2016.
