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Your cart is empty. VT-31 Wise Owls Full Color Squadron Patch - Hook and Loop
Aviators! Enjoy this VT-31 Wise Owls Full Color Squadron Patch! It is a great patch to display and or wear!
4.0 inches
Embroidered
Hook and Loop
US Naval Aviator Owned Business
SQUADRON HISTORY
Training Squadron THIRTY-ONE began training Student Naval Aviators in February 1958 as Advanced Training Unit 601. The unit, assigned to NAS Corpus Christi, flew the Beechcraft SNB multi-engine aircraft as an instrument and navigation trainer. Commissioned as VT-31 on 1 May 1960, the squadron's scope of training was expanded and a new aircraft, the P2V "Neptune", replaced the aging SNB's. In January 1961, VT-31 continued its expansion when the first P5M "Marlin" was accepted for the advanced training syllabus.
In 1963, another reorganization of advanced training found VT-31 transitioning to the TS-2A "Tracker", an aircraft the squadron would use for the next 15 years. The "Stoof", as it was called, was used in all facets of advanced multi-engine training which included carrier qualifications for naval aviators.
VT-31's transition to the Beechcraft T-44A began in spring of 1977, and on 8 February 1979, the last TS-2A departed the squadron. The T-44A is the military version of the popular Beechcraft King Air 90 and is equipped with a full range of avionics equipment for instrument conditions including a weather radar and RNAV. Students, as well as instructors, appreciate the fully pressurized and air conditioned cabin which provides an ideal learning environment. In addition to the aircraft, the students also receive instruction in fully computerized synthetic trainers. These devices are able to simulate virtually any instrument flying condition and allow students to fly numerous instrument approaches. The trainer can be "frozen" during any phase of the flight to discuss mistakes or replay a portion of an instrument approach.
In 1996, VT-31's aircraft
