From the back of a four-engine Boeing Aircraft, cadets from the K-State Air Force ROTC had the chance to experience a day in the life of an Air Force pilot.

A total of 29 cadets took a voluntary trip to Forbes Field in Topeka on Sunday afternoon. The cadets went on board a KC-135 refueling aircraft to gain experience and understanding of one of the many jobs Air Force pilots.

 Lt. Col. Edward Meyer, head of the Department of Aerospace Studies, said the trip gives cadets a greater appreciation and motivation for careers they could have in the future. He said this opportunity could help solidify the desire a cadet has to be a pilot.

The cadets were involved in a training mission executed by the Air National Guard. They were able to talk and learn not only from the flight, but also from the crew aboard the planes.

The cadets split into two groups, each boarding a KC-135 on route to refuel several B-52 bombers.

A few cadets sat in the front of the aircraft and watched the job of the pilot, and the other cadets watched the boom operator, the person responsible for refueling the other aircraft.

Logan Lytle, sophomore in humanities, said he thought the trip was outstanding and found it a great use of his Sunday afternoon.

"It gives you a really good feel for what happens on active duty and in the actual Air Force," he said.

Lytle said he sat next to one of the boom operators in an aircraft, and the operator explained what was happening before and after the refueling attempts.

Another cadet on the flight was Kathryn Blair, sophomore in geography.

Blair said that although her career aspirations do not involve being a pilot, she learned a great deal from the trip. She said the trip was one of those chances that does not come along very often, and it opened her eyes to many jobs she did not know about before.

"It's definitely a great opportunity," Blair said. "We also got to see the work that went in before, not just the pilot part."

Before the flight, there were several briefings and safety checks to prepare for the training mission. The route the cadets were on during the flight went through four states — Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. The students were airborne for about 2.5 hours.

Aaron Rigg, junior in biology, said it was great seeing what the pilots get to do and the work they do for the United States.

"It's a great experience for anyone who wants to be a pilot," he said. "I highly suggest it."