ANSWERS TO FAQ’s OF THE THINGS YOU WANTED TO KNOW (OR DIDN’T WANT TO KNOW) ABOUT THE USAFA.

*Deer turn into Elk when they reach the level of 7,642.5 feet of elevation.

*The USAFA lies on 18,500 acres at an average 7000 feet above sea level.

*The rest rooms/latrine/head are to the right of the information desk.

*About 4000 cadets attend the academy, with around 900 graduating each year.

*The Army Air Corps/Army Air Force became the U.S. Air Force in 1947.

*1955, Lowry AFB, Denver becomes the temporary site of the Academy.

*1958, the Academy moves from Denver to Colorado Springs.

*1959, the first class graduates with 207.

*1976, women are admitted to the Academy, the first women graduate 1980.

*Women comprise about 17% of the Cadet wing.

*Cadets can major in 29 different subjects.

* Cadets graduate as second Lieutenants with a Bachelor of Science degree.

* Cadets are known as 1st year= Doolies, 2nd year= fledglings, 3rd year= Wheels, 4th year= Firsties.

*The Visitor Center was built in 1986.

*The Academy’s food budget is about $7.2 million a year.

*It costs you the taxpayer about $300,000 for a Cadet to graduate, about $120,000 just for the education alone.

*The Cadet Chapel was designed by Walter A. Netsch Jr.

*The building of the Chapel began in 1959 and completed in 1963 for $3.5 million.

*The 17 spires of the Chapel have no specific significance, but look nice.

*The Chapel averages 100 weddings a year, many just after graduation.

The 31,600 square foot Visitor Center was built in 1986 and is named after Sen. Barry Goldwater. Yes from Arizona.

*The Falcon is the U.S. Air Force mascot.

*The Pursuit of Excellence movie is 14 min long and is shown every half hour in the theater.

*No, there is no donation or fee required to see the Academy, Visitor Center or movie (you already paid).

*The Cadets lunch formation’s can be seen from the Chapel at 11:30, Mon - Fri. During the school year only.

*Mitchell Hall dining facility covers 1.7 acres and feeds all the cadets at the same time in only 25 min.

*As of 2001 the Academy has commissioned over 34,000 new Lieutenants.

*The falcon sculpture on the Chapel trail is of bronze, 14 ft. long, 350 lb., and dedicated in 1987.

*The glider in the Visitor Center is a Schweizer TG-4 built in 1967, length 25’9”, span 51’, wt 1040 lb.

*The trail from the Visitor Center to the Chapel is 1/3 mi. long.

* Yes, you can take pictures at the Academy and Visitor Center. (Take as many as you can afford).

*The Visitor Center Theater seats 250.

*The USAF Demonstration Squadron known as the Thunderbirds, fly F-16’s and are not stationed at the Academy.

*The Visitor Center is open everyday 9-5, except for Thanksgiving day, Christmas day and News Years day. Yes, we’re open on the eves of these holidays.

*The Cadets are famous for playing their favorite sport Flickerball. (Please ask a Cadet about this game).

*The primary training glider now at the Academy is the Schweizer TG-4A.

*Capt. Lance P. Sijan USAF Academy Class of 65 is the only graduate to receive the Medal of Honor, awarded in 1976 for his actions in Vietnam, 1967.

*The Cadet gymnasium is five stories tall and contains three basketball arenas, two Olympic size pools, 19 racquetball courts, four tennis courts, weight rooms and offices.

*Yes, you may attend Sunday services at the Chapel.

*The Academy has 115 miles of paved roads.

*Yes, there are signs directing you to the Visitor Center.

*Visitor Center: 719-333-2025.

*Sports tickets: 719-472-1895/ 1-800-666-8723 or http://www.airforcesport.com.

*Gift shop: 719-472-0102, 1-800-955-4438 or www.airforcestore.com.

*Planetarium: 719-333-2778/2779.

*Arnold Hall Ticket Office: 719-333-4499.

* Ticket Master: 719-520-9090.

*Base Oper: 719-333-1110. Falcon Info Line: 333-8723.

*For Colorado Springs area information try: www.coloradosprings.com, for tourist coupons try www.pikes-peak.com, click on coupons.

*Take a free copy of the Academy Spirit, our base newspaper.

*Visit the Academy or the Air Force on the web at http://www.usafa.af.mil or www.usaf.af.mil.

For AFA special events: www.usafa.af.mil/pa.

*Norad Tours: 719-474-2238/2239 or 556-6826.

*Peterson AFB Museum: 719-556-8278/4915. Tue-Sat.

Now multiply these answers to questions by a factor of infinity- everyday, everyday, everyday, everyday…oh, sorry.

Have a nice visit here at the Academy.

P.s. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars.