SHREVEPORT, La. — XSTAR Aviation has received a planning contract to explore extending its flight training support to B-52 crews. The Shreveport company already operates civilian business jets in a test program that gives B-1 pilots additional flying time.
XSTAR owns the jets and operates the flights in partnership with Air Force Global Strike Command, which is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base. Flights operate from Abilene Regional Airport in Texas for Dyess Air Force Base crews and Rapid City Regional Airport in South Dakota for Ellsworth Air Force Base crews.
XSTAR said aircraft retirements, maintenance demands and parts shortages have limited flying opportunities for newer B-1 crew members. The test program is expected to give pilots who are still completing required training about 100 additional flight hours a year. The program plans four two-hour flights each month, with additional flights possible during the test period.
“These flights give pilots more opportunities to practice the skills they need for their duties without adding flying time to B-1 aircraft,” said Carl Schaefer, XSTAR’s chief operating officer.
The company said the B-52 contract follows the planning phase of its B-1 work. XSTAR did not disclose the contract value or a timeline for B-52 training flights.
XSTAR is a veteran-owned small business with offices in Shreveport’s InterTech Park. It is a portfolio company of BRF’s Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program.