Any AF pilots out there? I got a question.

[Kraeji]

Long shot.... but maybe some pilots read anantech off topic

I want to join the AF to fly but I'm having trouble getting the $$ to pay for my pilots license. I just graduated college and am flying as often as I can but its taking forever. The regular active duty recruiter says I have to have it, but the reserve officer recruiter says I dont have to. I dont want to do reserve b/c I want to be in full time and want to be able to fly fighters. Is it possible for me to go in reserve.. then go active duty and be trained on a different plane at a later time?

 

[wnied]

You dont need a private pilots license to fly in the military. So anyone telling you that you do need it is essentially blowing smoke up your ass. You do however need excellent school grades and physical health. The Air Forces main theme when recruiting people for their flight school to be fighter jocks is that you be a well rounded person. Meaning you have superior grades, excellent sight, be in good physical shape and be involved with extra curricular activities that keep you challenged outside of school.


~wnied~

 

[justint]

Originally posted by: Kraeji
Long shot.... but maybe some pilots read anantech off topic

I want to join the AF to fly but I'm having trouble getting the $$ to pay for my pilots license. I just graduated college and am flying as often as I can but its taking forever. The regular active duty recruiter says I have to have it, but the reserve officer recruiter says I dont have to. I dont want to do reserve b/c I want to be in full time and want to be able to fly fighters. Is it possible for me to go in reserve.. then go active duty and be trained on a different plane at a later time?

Yeah that is BS. Concentrate on your grades, references, activities etc. They really don't care if you already have an FAA license.

 

[rudder]

Yeh let the Air Force pay for it! Join the AFROTC at your college, stay in excellent shape, keep your grades up, and throw in a little volunteer activity in there and you will be good to go.

As far as flying fighters, I am not sure you really get to pick what you fly. I think it is based on your class ranking in OCS or something. I could be wrong though cause it been a while since I talked with any air force pilots.

EDIT: and if you cannot afford a private pilots license, still try to spend a few dollars on flying lessons and even study to pass the written exams (which you can do that easily with a $20 book purchase). You will have a take an Air Force entrance exam and knowing a little bit about aircraft orientation will help. Look at the study guides at a book store and you will see what I mean.

 

[Daxxax]

Not a pilot, but I did get a ride in a F-15E while I was in the AirForce. I don't know why someone would tell you you need a license before joining. That's like saying you need to get a heavy equipment operator license before being able to join the Army and drive tanks..

 

[EagleKeeper]

Originally posted by: Kraeji
Long shot.... but maybe some pilots read anantech off topic

I want to join the AF to fly but I'm having trouble getting the $$ to pay for my pilots license. I just graduated college and am flying as often as I can but its taking forever. The regular active duty recruiter says I have to have it, but the reserve officer recruiter says I dont have to. I dont want to do reserve b/c I want to be in full time and want to be able to fly fighters. Is it possible for me to go in reserve.. then go active duty and be trained on a different plane at a later time?

Things to do:

1) Go talk to a different recruiter.
2) You will be given a aptitude test which will determine if you are qualitifed to be a pilot candidate.
3) Reserves will love to have you. Once you are qualified on a given A/C you will get a large amount of flight time.
4) Fighters are not reserved for active duty only.
5) You can start off in the reserves and then petition for active duty.
6) Cross training in fighters does happen, most usually when a given model is phased out and a new A/C comes into the wing. Excpetion is for test pilots.

 

[Kraeji]

Originally posted by: EagleKeeper

Originally posted by: Kraeji Long shot.... but maybe some pilots read anantech off topic I want to join the AF to fly but I'm having trouble getting the $$ to pay for my pilots license. I just graduated college and am flying as often as I can but its taking forever. The regular active duty recruiter says I have to have it, but the reserve officer recruiter says I dont have to. I dont want to do reserve b/c I want to be in full time and want to be able to fly fighters. Is it possible for me to go in reserve.. then go active duty and be trained on a different plane at a later time?

Things to do: 1) Go talk to a different recruiter. 2) You will be given a aptitude test which will determine if you are qualitifed to be a pilot candidate. 3) Reserves will love to have you. Once you are qualified on a given A/C you will get a large amount of flight time. 4) Fighters are not reserved for active duty only. 5) You can start off in the reserves and then petition for active duty. 6) Cross training in fighters does happen, most usually when a given model is phased out and a new A/C comes into the wing. Excpetion is for test pilots.

Thanks for all the info guys. I have already graduated (this summer) so the ROTC route is not an option. I think i'll try to go with another recruiter or just finish my license. If that doesnt work ill go reserve next year.

Anyone know how the petition from reserve to active duty works?

Anyone know if they would ever train a transport pilot to be a fighter pilot at a later time?

Thanks guys.

 

[Kraeji]

oh and i forgot to mention.. a different Recruiter said i wasnt competitive w/o the pilot license.. i guess maybe b/c my gpa is a 2.9?

At least its a compsci degree.. nothing slack like psychology..

 

[Yossarian]

There are companies out there that will give you financing for your PPL. Check out Pilot magazine or rec.aviation.student or rec.aviation.piloting

 

[Atrail]

You need to be the cream of the crop to be a pilot.
Get that GPA up, way up!

 

[everman]

Originally posted by: Atrail
You need to be the cream of the crop to be a pilot.
Get that GPA up, way up!

The AF doesn't let just anyone fly multi-million dollar aircraft after all.

 

[amnesiac]

Originally posted by: Kraeji
oh and i forgot to mention.. a different Recruiter said i wasnt competitive w/o the pilot license.. i guess maybe b/c my gpa is a 2.9?

At least its a compsci degree.. nothing slack like psychology..

Talk to the recruiter about going straight into officer training. Your college degree should let you right in.

 

[MadRat]

If you score in the top 5% in the Physics realm of the Air Force Academy then you can even qualify for the flight line with bad eyesight.

 

[Kraeji]

Originally posted by: MadRat
If you score in the top 5% in the Physics realm of the Air Force Academy then you can even qualify for the flight line with bad eyesight.

awesome.. im actually good with physics

too bad i didnt go to the Academy