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Week 16 Update: VMax 2025 Competition Results
On 9 May 2025, competitors from Poteet, Pleasanton and Jourdanton High Shools meet at the 559 FTS to show what they had learned over the season. The event hosted over 100 guests and attendees including General Seve Wilson (Former Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force), Lt Gen Chris Nowland (Daedalians National Vice Commander), Lt Gen Anthony Rock, Brigadier General Christopher Amrhein (Air Force Accession Center Commander) and a host of other dignitaries.
Beginning with the presentation of teams at the opening ceremonies, 12 competitors spent the next two hours under the watchful eye of seasoned Air Force Instructor Pilot evaluators from the 559 FTS. When the competition concluded, the Poteet Fighting, Flying Aggies took home both the VMax 2025 Team and High Point Individual award. All in all, VMax was able to present $26,000 in flight training scholarships to five individuals who more than earned it.
Looking forward, VMax 2025 will change its name and become T-6 VMax Championships as we seek to expand this program into a area, then State and ultimately a National competition. I couldn't be more proud of these kids, their school staff, the coaches and all the individuals and organizations who worked so hard to make this event happen. Now onto 2026...FIGHTS ON!
Week 9 Update: As we began this week, the teams of VMax 2025 are beginning to prepare for Cut Week. This is where we will determine who will become our four primary and two alternate competitors for each school in the 9 May Championship event at the 559 FTS, Randolph AFB. The kids are working on how to build an instrument cross check while performing a streamlined mission profile which includes a static takeoff, climb to altitude, level off, turns to headings, Steep Turns and a Vertical S maneuver. Not a bad start for only having access to the actual simulators for less than an hour. They are picking up the skills nicely and I expect great things from them in the future. FIGHTS ON!
VMax 2025 Week 8 update: It's been a while since our last update but the kids at our three school districts are making significant progress. Last week each of the three districts brought their first simulators on line and the kids learned the basics of Takeoffs and Basic Aircraft Control. In addition, the Pleasanton Eagles joined the line of "Patched" squadrons with their 1 FSTS patch and our we also designed our VMax Command patch which the kids will all wear on their competition flight suits.
We were honored to be joined by Major "Cowboy" Caballero from the 559 FTS Fighting Billygoats who is leading the charge to coordinate our VMax Championship competition on 9 May 2025. Multiple other volunteers from the Alamo Liaison Squadron and the Order of Daedalians joined our training team. Looking forward, the first week in April will begin our Cut Week where the kids will vie for a spot on the Championship Competition 4-Ship team. So proud of the work they have done. Fights On!
Virtual Flight Academy is pleased to announce a new sponsor joining our team. A huge thank you to the American Legion Post 436, Jourdanton TX for offering to sponsor the payment for out team patches for all three school districts. This amayzing group of people continually supports the youth in our area with more than just money. They help build the next generation of proud American citizens, dedicated to helping America succeed. Thank you Post 436!
VMax 2025 has the stated goals of engaging with the youth of America through aviation, removing barriers for young kids to begin a career in aviation and utilizing volunteer pilots and aviation professionals to mentor kids by sharing their life and career lessons in a fun and competitive, merit-based program.
In keeping with our foundational goal of removing barriers to entry into the aviation ecosystem, the Virtual Flight Academy is pleased to announce our first official sponsor. The Order of Daedalians has officially offered to grant four, $5,000 flight training scholarships for a total donation of $20,000 to the winning four person VMax championship team at our 9 May 2025 competition. Many thanks to this truly renowned and dedicated organization. We look forward to having their leadership on hand at the championship event hosted by the 559 Flying Training Squadron at Randolph Air Force Base, to present these scholarships to our competitors. If you would like to learn more about the Order of Daedalians, please visit their website at https://www.daedalians.org/
Like any other High School athletic program, VMax 2025 is a “Pass to Play” activity stressing the need to succeed academically as a pathway to greater opportunities. By sharing the value of hard work, study, practice through quality coaching and repetition, we will help grow the next generation of American aviators. Support from mission partners like the Order of Daedalians goes a long way towards achieving our objectives.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor to VMax 2025 or in volunteering to work with us as a coach or mentor, please contact Ken “Wolverine” Knox at kenaknox1060@ gmail.com or by sending an email to support@vmax-championships.org
The Order Of Daedalians Offers VMax 2025 $20,000 in Flight Training Scholarships for the VMax Champion Team!
VMax 2025 Week 3 Update
VMax 2025 is proud to announce the participation of Lt Col (USAFR Ret) Olga Custodio who will be joining us as a volunteer and guest speaker. As America's first Female Latina Air Force pilot and American Airline commercial pilot, Lt Col Custodio will bring a wealth of career education experience to our young men and women who want to get into the aviation industry. Below is Lt Col Custodio's Biography and a link to her website. Glad to have you on board Ma'am.
BIO
Olga is a Latina military and commercial airline aviation pioneer with over 40 years in aviation. As the first Latina to complete USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, she served for 24 years and retired as a Lt Col. Olga was also the first American Airlines Latina commercial airline pilot and retired a Captain with a 20 year career. Now a STEM advocate, speaker, author, and community leader, she advocates for inspiring and empowering students, especially in underserved communities, to pursue STEM careers in aviation and aerospace. Olga continues to fly in general aviation. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, “Military City USA”, with her husband, Edwin, of 50 years, has two adult children, Marcia and Edwin, and one grandson, Jedi.
Breaking News: The Alamo Liaison Squadron has officially announced that they will partner with VMax 2025 bringing decades of flight experience to our coaching and mentorship teams. Thank you for your support ALS.
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