This catalog of numbers features an impressive line-up, including cabinet-level secretaries, senior military leaders, members of Congress, as well as award-winning enlisted military members. Others who are given the rare opportunity to fly in the B-2 Spirit are also awarded their own number. Spirit Numbers are not only assigned to pilots, however. Rick Couch, Spirit Number 2, piloted the first B-2 flight from Plant 42 in Palmdale, CA to Edwards Air Force Base. The tradition began on July 17, 1989, when two B-2 test pilots, Bruce Hinds, Spirit Number 1, and Col. “These are one-of-a-kind numbers, like a numerical fingerprint that are unique and will only be assigned once and never reused.”Īfter 33 years, there are only 550 B-2 pilots who have been assigned a Spirit Number. “Each program realized there would be a very limited number of assigned pilots and sensed a need to catalogue that history and legacy,” said Cavuoti, now Detachment 5, 29 Training Systems Squadron, B-2 senior program analyst. This tradition of using a numbering system originated with the first stealth aircraft, the F-117 Nighthawk, which used the Bandit Number. Following their first flight, each pilot receives a Spirit Number, which cements their place in history.įormer B-2 pilot and Spirit Number 78, Frank Cavuoti, explains a Spirit Number is a sequential number that is assigned only to a person who has flown in the B-2 Spirit. Once the IQT students have gone through hundreds of hours of academics and training in the B-2 simulators, they are finally able to put their skills to the test and take-off for their first flight. A statement from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA says there isn't one.The B-2 Spirit cadre of highly skilled pilots are a part of an exclusive community, which is highlighted by the way the Air Force catalogs these impressive men and women in the history books.Įvery B-2 pilot goes through Initial Qualification Training at Whiteman Air Force Base to learn how to fly the most technologically-advanced strategic bomber in the world. On Twitter, word of staff, including pilots, "walking out" at certain airports has mounted speculation of an employee strike. The disruptions come many airlines are ill-prepared for the wave of returning passengers eager to travel once again. "Most of our flights currently remain scheduled as planned." "In responding to these challenges, Spirit has implemented some proactive cancellations again today to reset our operations," Spirit spokesperson Field Sutton wrote in a statement to NPR. E176h8KHjN- Spirit Airlines August 2, 2021Ī spokesperson from Spirit attributed the disruptions to weather, system outages, and staffing shortages in certain areas of operation. The fastest way to receive assistance is to visit our webchat. Before going to the airport, check your email and current flight status here. We are experiencing operational challenges in some areas of our network. Our team members are working around the clock to care for our customers." "The nine-hour weather event resulted in flight delays, cancellations and nearly 100 diversions. "A prolonged severe weather event in Dallas Fort-Worth on Sunday night into Monday morning brought sustained heavy rain, strong winds, lightning, microbursts and hail to our largest hub," American Airlines spokesperson Laura Masvidal said in a statement to NPR. American canceled 300 Sunday flights and 563 Monday flights.Īmerican Airlines has attributed its cancellations and delays to severe weather happening in Dallas Fort Worth. According to flight tracker FlightAware, Spirit canceled 19% of its Sunday flights and 40% of its flights on Monday. By comparison, American Airlines had canceled around 300 flights - about 10% of the day's total, by mid-afternoon on Tuesday.īoth airlines have experienced flight disruptions for the past three days. Half of Spirit's Tuesday flights were canceled: a total of 347 flights, according to the Associated Press. Spirit and American Airlines canceled hundreds of their flights on Tuesday, exasperating passengers in airports throughout the country, and in some cases, leaving them stranded. A Spirit Airlines jet seen approaching Philadelphia International Airport earlier this year.
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