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Becoming a Pilot

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G-man:

--- Quote from: SirCmpwn on February 25, 2012, 11:10:46 AM --- I would really love to pilot planes. More specifically, fighter jets. They're small, fast, and awesome, but I would settle for less.


--- End quote ---

Yo do realize most fighter jet pilots wanted to fly helicopters but had to settle for less right...?  ::whistle:: ::whistle:: Just sayin..  ::whistle:: ::whistle::

Oddball:
Besides "Fast Movers" are on the way out, R/C models is the way to go  :P

madpilot44:
As a USAFA graduate I can tell you that without improving your grades you're probably not going to get into any service academy, much less get a pilot slot. Once inside, it's comparatively easy to get a pilot slot if you are PQ, or Pilot Qualified (about half of my class got them; disqualifying reasons include eyes and sitting height), but you have to keep studying in order to pass classes and get to graduate, as passing classes is perhaps the easiest way of getting kicked out. You might try ROTC or OTS, but again, you have to study, and slots are fewer and farther between for those. Besides, even if you do get a slot, you'll have to study your arse off to get fighters. IFS (initial flight screening in Pueblo, CO) is a cold hard one, since you need to study a lot. After that, UPT (more studying), and then track selection (more studying), and then plane selection (get the picture?). And you need to be in the top of your class to make it to fighters (if you get the chance, some UPT classes don't get fighter/bomber slots, and some fighter/bomber tracks don't get any fighter slots). It's not impossible, and it's definitely worth it (at least the part I can speak about, which amounts to the Academy and stories heard on bars and other unlit places here and there), but it does take a lot. Plus after making it, your studying ain't over. Fighter pilots need to study tactics and aircraft/weapon capabilities and limitations for their own aircraft plus anything else in the sky they might face. Bottom line, if you really want it, you have to work hard to get it, but you'll probably enjoy every minute of your life up there.

Oh, and that stuff about being a tame service? while I was reading I thought of a whole bunch of names who wouldn't agree, from Pilots to Crew Chiefs and Pararescue Jumpers (ballsiest bunch I know), to Logistics to Security Forces people who've made the greatest sacrifice and became heroes all over the world (including 10 from my country today, which is why I'm a bit negative and for which I apologize)

Good luck if you try, and if you have any more questions on the steps do let us know.

Baradium:
If you are as good at what you do as you say, then I believe you have the potential to be able to finance yourself through flight school.  Start saving money.

If you want a fighter slot though it sounds like your best bet is going to be the ROTC in a normal college route or normal college and try for a guard unit (keep in mind that guard units with fighters are extremely competitive).   You'll have to do very well in college regardless to prove that you can take school seriously if you need to.  This is very important becuase in the military there are ALWAYS classes that you may not be interested in.

A private pilot's license will not make it more difficult to learn to fly fighters.  The air force academy starts you out in gliders which are about as far from fighters as you can get as far as I'm concerned.   The first thing that a pilot from a guard unit does in flight training is go to a civilian flight school to get their private pilot's license if they don't already have it.  Having a civilian license simply reduces the requirements for the military training for you.

You will also need to take some tests in any path you choose for the air force.  First is the AFOQT or Air Force Officer's Qualifying Test.   This has a very large bearing on what you are eligible for.   The other is the BAT or Basic Aptitude Test.   Experience with airplanes before going into them DOES help you in these tests.  Good scores on these tests are important for a guard unit which will hire you for a specific slot.  They are also important if you decide to go active duty and hope for a flight slot.  Either way, once again you WILL need to get good grades in college to prove you can take it seriously.

Rooster Cruiser:

--- Quote ---Oh, and that stuff about being a tame service? while I was reading I thought of a whole bunch of names who wouldn't agree, from Pilots to Crew Chiefs and Pararescue Jumpers (ballsiest bunch I know), to Logistics to Security Forces people who've made the greatest sacrifice and became heroes all over the world (including 10 from my country today, which is why I'm a bit negative and for which I apologize)
--- End quote ---

I think back to a story an old trucking buddy of mine told me.  He was a crew chief on a B52 during the Vietnam War, flying out of Guam.  He told me about the time they were over Hanoi and the bomb bay doors were stuck closed.  He put on a parachute and a portable O2 bottle, then went into the bomb bay and hand cranked the doors open!  While he didn't mention it, I know for a fact that once the bombardier saw the bomb bay door open light he toggled the bombs away switch.  So there my friend was... standing on what was probably a 12 inch wide walkway with 2000# bombs whisking by him on either side, knowing that if he got hit by one he was going to drop from 35,000 feet into the hell that was Hanoi!  That is, if his B52 wasn't hit first by a SAM 5 or AAA fire.

Yup.  Pretty tame service.   ::banghead::

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