Jetjok

As well, in the case of fighters, you have to graduate from pilot training being recommended to fly them. Then there's always the fact that you might wash out, or even worse, SIE (self-initiated elimination.)

JJ

Jones14

Well, I guess all I can do is take the tests, get those flight hours and give it a shot like everyone else. I feel like I qualify for most of the other categories that the recruiter posted in that link. Also, say I live near Scott AFB in Illinois, and a unit in Florida offers employment. Is it possible to accept the offer and jump a ride when called on, like they do in the airlines? I would imagine they would want you on or near the base at all times.

As cool as it would be to fly fighters, it's not really my area of interest. I respect those guys too, but man it seems like it would consume your entire life. What does it mean to wash out? Is it just losing interest and drive, not keeping up with the pace of the training?

blastoff

Most units don't require you to live near by, my unit has several guys commuting in from out of state. It just means that you can't just randomly decide to jump on tonight's sortie when you feel like it because you live too far away (people who live close generally can). I know some cities that don't have a Reserve Unit but a lot of reservists (e.g. Tucson) have regularly scheduled "shuttle" flights to get people to and from drill weekends at other bases. This won't help too much as a pilot as Drill Weekends won't be your bread and butter. If you get put on orders though, you will get reimbursed your mileage to drive there and get a hotel room for free, and get paid per diem...some guys like this and live outside the local area on purpose. And handful of Units don't like this because it drains their travel budget to have too many guys commute in.

As far as catching a ride (outside of "shuttle" flights if your city is lucky enough to have them), if there is a flight going from your home to your base when you need it, you've hit the lottery. The Air Force doesn't have a network of flights going all over the US like an airline...unless you live in Guam or Honolulu.

Keep in mind, ALL of the guys that commute in from out-of-state in my unit are Airline Pilots and use their jumpseat and/or pass privileges to make commuting easier.

Also realize that a Reserve Unit may be more willing to accommodate your commute, while a Guard unit may not be as willing. You also probably won't be able to commute until you've upgraded to Aircraft Commander...you'll need to be local to get the hours as a Co-Pilot to get your upgrade on schedule.


Pilot training is the hardest thing you'll ever do. A significant number of people will wash-out (fail) in your class (about 1/3 in mine). This isn't an FBO that will keep training you (and take your money) until you "get it." Sink or Swim. Even airline pilots wash out of UPT (much of that comes with attitude, you must expect it to be hard, no matter what your previous experience is).

Jones14

I totally expect it to be hard. It shouldn't be a cake walk by any means, they want to know the best guys are in their multi-million dollar a/c. I've seen the same thing, on a far smaller scale, in my A&P school. I bet only 2/3 of the kids made it through the first year, and probably half graduated. I know I wouldn't want someone who inches by with no passion or real interest working on a chunk of metal and fuel that I'm about to propel myself through the sky with.

Regardless, what is it specifically that causes a candidate to fail? Dedication, aptitude, attitude? Fail to me, as a college student, means you're not making the grades, or at least portraying that you're not giving the effort to make the grades. If you're struggling, but busting your ass does it make a difference? Or is it mostly cut and dry, you're outta here!

blastoff

The difference being is that going into UPT, you have people who went to the Academy, had to compete for 4 years to get a slot out of ROTC, or the very lucky few (you're aiming to be one of them) to get a slot off the street as one of 2% to be selected of all people trying to get OTS-Active Duty/Guard/Reserve slots. 1/3 is shocking considering the caliber of people allowed to attend.

Instructors will work harder to help you make the grade based on your attitude...or they will be first in line to show you the door if your attitude sucks. In the end, the actual wash out is due to documented training deficiencies and checkride failures.

Jones14

So more or less, me, average joe, has a very very slim chance of making this a reality? Especially competing with ROTC candidates when I'm just an A&P mechanic, with say 200 total hours in a 172. I look far less valuable. Back to the drawing board I guess

blastoff

You're not competing against ROTC or the Academy. Slots are allocated as so many per commissioning source, and one or two per guard/reserve unit per year. Just realize if you get a Guard, Reserve, or Active Duty OTS pilot slot, an average of 50 guys applied for that one slot. This is why people are saying you need to have a Private to be remotely competitive. Every UND or Embry-Riddle grad is applying with a commercial license, good GPA, and test scores in the 90th percentile on the AFOQT/TBAS/PCSM. I'd say with an A&P you could still be considered competitive against those guys provided you have high scores on your testing...plus a lot of guys have impressive resumes, but we end up selecting a guy with maybe less behind him, but interviewed well and gave people a good vibe. We are going to be flying with you the rest of our careers, after all...so the personality element factors in. Just know, however, that what you're proposing to do is EXTREMELY competitive. Too many guys come on here thinking getting a pilot slot is only marginally harder than enlisting to be a worker bee in the service of your choice. Recruiting issues do not affect Pilot Slots...it will be uber-competitive forever, as long as there are Air Force pilots.

blastoff

Frame of reference, when I got my slot, I was a graduate from a local State University's Aviation Department with a Private/Instrument and 200 hours in a 172. My PCSM score was a 99, which is why I say focus on testing well and see how it plays out. Then go and shake everybody's hand at the unit you're applying to...bore them to tears with your personal story...thats what I did, I think they hired me to get me to shut up.

Marvin

Did they say, "What that kids story needs is more cowbell!" ???

kalyx522

Hey, I wouldn't say that. I consider myself a very average joe and I got a slot. (I'm still not sure how I got picked!) I think the A&P thing definitely shows hard work and interest in aviation. If and when you start applying and you don't get interviews for the units of your choice right away, I would suggest applying everywhere else as well to broaden your chances. Never in my life did I plan to or wanted to be settling down in the town that my future unit is in, but I would've moved away to as far as Alaska if that's what it took. (Thank God it didn't come to that though, lol.) So I guess it's really how much you want it. And that's what I've been told endless times during the process - if you want it badly enough, you'll get it.