Air combat training in Orlando tests limits of Team AXE Apollo Philippines member

Dec 5, 2013
Filipino astronaut candidate Ramil Santos, 29, displays Pinoy pride prior to take off for air combat maneuvers in Orlando, Florida. From AXE Space Academy

AXE Apollo Team Philippines members vying to become the first Filipino Astronaut began their actual Space Camp training by taking on flight tests at the world-famous Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.

At the Jet Ranger Centre in Kissimmee, Ramil Santos and his pilot/trainer climbed on board a SIAI Marchetti SF260 for the air combat training (ACM) where they flew the plane through various tactical flight maneuvers including parabolic and spiral moves, engaging in multiple “G-Pulling” and high and low Yo-Yo’s for the Filipino astronaut-aspirant to experience the physiological effects of 4Gs - four times the force of gravity.

The pilot/trainer was impressed with how the 29-year electronics and information engineer handled himself during the flight and how he was enthusiastic and even asked a lot of questions.

For the next two days, Santos will take on the LYNX Space Academy Zero Gravity Training via parabolic flights onboard a modified Boeing 727 that will simulate the feeling of complete weightlessness and G Force Training where astronaut aspirants will suit up, strap in, and blast off into an interactive experience that will give them the feeling of being in space and the pressure of four times the force of gravity.

The Philippines has three candidates competing for one guaranteed slot in a space flight scheduled 2014 with 22 other aspirants to be selected from 60 countries.

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Filipino astronaut candidate Ramil Santos, 29, displays Pinoy pride prior to take off for air combat maneuvers in Orlando, Florida. From AXE Space Academy
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