Air Force 2nd Lt. John P. Turbyfill  has graduated from Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base, Okla.

This 54-week pilot training program begins with a six-week preflight phase of academics and physical training to prepare students for flight. The second phase, primary training, is conducted  in the single-engine, turboprop T-6A Texan II. Primary training takes approximately 23 weeks and includes 254 hours of ground instruction, 27 hours in the flight simulator and 89 hours in the T-6A aircraft.

After primary training, students select, by order of merit, advanced training in the fighter-bomber or airlift-tanker track. Training for the fighter track is done in the T-38C Talon, a tandem-seat, twin-engine supersonic jet. The airlift-tanker track uses the T-1A Jayhawk, the military version of a multi-place Beech Jet 400 business jet. Both tracks are approximately 26 weeks and are designed to best train pilots for successful transition to their follow-on aircraft and missions.

Turbyfill is the son of John P. and Elizabeth V. Turbyfill of Ferrum, and grandson of Nancy and Press Turbyfill of Marion, N.C., and Frances Via of Blacksburg.

He is a 2010 graduate of Franklin County High School, Rocky Mount. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 2015 from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.