Forum: Future F-16 crew

Hey guys! Just wondering who our viper pilots are (that graduated from the Academy). No offense to the ANG/ROTC guys, just that I'd like to get some info. Please PM me to get in touch. Thanks!

*EDIT* Also, does having a PPL/Flight time give you an advantage? I'm currently churning through the topics in this forum, but i'd like a quick answer.

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Some flight time is good, too much (I'm told) is not...civilian flying is not like military flying and can ingrain the wrong habits.

While I've heard this for a while as well, I've found they are few and far between, the ROTC, USAFA, etc. pilot-wannabe's who have the time and the resources to afford to achieve this so called "too much flying time" so I'd say rack up all the hours you can. Two Cents

Salute!

I respectfully disagree with Roscoe.

I learned to fly at age 16 and soloed at 17, then to USAFA.

I flew every time I could, and I begged rather than pay.

I went thru a special program we had the year before I graduated from USAFA. Got 12 rides in the Tweet using the identical syllabus I would face the next year.

Guess what?

The next summer I knew all the emergency procedures, the pre-flight, the oxygen mask crapola, the radio procedures, the maneuvers.

Think I did O.K. in UPT?

BTW, a few of my classmates that did the same thing and came out pretty well. Karl Richter and Steve Ritchie, for just two.

I finished very high in UPT and got first choice of fighters.

Fly early, fly often. If you don't like it, get airsick a lot or someone tells you that you're not the next Chuck Yeager, then maybe reconsider.

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Gums sends ...

Gums wrote:

Fly early, fly often. If you...get airsick a lot...

Very true Gums, and as far as airsickness goes, if you know you are prone to airsickness, then keep at it. I found that the more I flew, the more used to it I got.

I've only been airsick a couple of times, and both times, it was more environmental than anything. Blazing hot, high humidity, air conditioning sucked @$$, turbulence bouncing the plane around like a washing machine...it's bound to happen.

However, if you fly often, you'll get used to it more quickly than Joe Six Pack that only flies once every blue moon. Plus, you'll be able to pick up some good tricks of the trade to prevent it (Hydration, good diet and exercise, and a good night's sleep are all very important).

One other thing...if you can at all help it, DON'T fly on an empty stomach. For someone prone to airsickness, I know it sounds the opposite of what you'd expect, but trust me...a little something in your stomach works wonders.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

Hey Triple111, no offense to the USAFA guys but if you go to a normal college and get picked up for a pilot slot out of OTS, then you'll be much happier. No matter what anyone says, you aren't guaranteed a slot out of the academy or ROTC. When you are in you last year of college, go to an Officer Recuruiter and during the application process tell them you want to apply for a flight training spot. When they give you the form, DO NOT check the container next to NAV. Once your application gets approved by the board then you are guaranteed a UPT spot before you ever even sign on the dotted line (assuming you finish OTS, pass the medical, and finish IFS).

Speaking of IFS, get as much flying done as you possibly can. I wouldn't go to UPT without a minimum of a PPL. An instrument rating would help out GREATLY as well as a multiengine rating but not required. I say that becuase the most difficult part of T-6s for most people is the instrument flying. I already had my instrument rating and had flown in the weather a lot so it was cake for me. Doing some aerobatics and formation flying is great if you can get to it but don't be concerned about it.

Finally, for anyone going to UPT know this. Anyone who passes T-6s is qualified to go to T-38s. What makes the difference, as I found out afterwards, is what the IPs and the flight commanders think of your personality. Do you have what it takes to fit in and do you have the adaptability to analyze and decide on your next action quickly while flying.

Get your seaplane rating too. I started mine today and while it might be better suited to a PBY than a T-6, iit sure is a heck of a lot of fun! Razz

Also, I agree w/ SnakeHandler, USAFA isn't the end all. I've visted up there and got some friends there, and don't get me wrong, its a good program. But they're all dying to get out of there, whereas my friends and I are wholeheartedy enjoying college. I'm looking forward to UPT as much as the next guy, but it just seems like my buddies and I are having a better college experience than our USAFA counterparts.

All the guys in my pilot training class that had hundreds of hours, CFI, and multi ratings are flying transports now. If you can get the flying time great, if not, no big deal. They will teach you everything you need to know there. I feel like the Academy did a good job preparing me for pilot training. I wouldn’t do anything differently.

Forum Veteran Joined: Jul 01, 2007 - 07:22 PM Posts: 620

I'm not saying DONT go to the zoo. Just make sure you go there because you want to go there, not because you think it'll get you a pilot slot easier. That's all.

screamin_pollacks wrote:

All the guys in my pilot training class that had hundreds of hours, CFI, and multi ratings are flying transports now.

But how many of those are Guard guys? We have quite a few guys who flew commerical for thousands of hours before coming into the Guard, they make great pilots for the most part, but yes only a couple of them would have made good fighter jocks. Personally I think it's more of a mindset things with guys like that and not so much a stick and rudder issue.

Just wanted to put this out there, I'm only 15, and at best I can get a PPL. Gotta start working BIG TIME for it!

Stick to your guns kid, and follow your dream. don't let anyone tell you "You Can't" you just got to want it bad enough to make the sacrifices to ensure your dreams. BTW Best of luck to you. Wink

Elliboom wrote:

screamin_pollacks wrote:

All the guys in my pilot training class that had hundreds of hours, CFI, and multi ratings are flying transports now.

But how many of those are Guard guys? We have quite a few guys who flew commerical for thousands of hours before coming into the Guard, they make great pilots for the most part, but yes only a couple of them would have made good fighter jocks. Personally I think it's more of a mindset things with guys like that and not so much a stick and rudder issue.

None of them were Guard guys. They all said they wanted fighters on the first day of class (of course everyone did). Some of them didn't like pulling G's, others didn't like going upside down, and some could keep up with a faster jet. Flying instruments around your local FBO at 100 knots is a different ballgame than even a tweet/T-6 in my opinion.

I do agree with you that there is a certain type of mindset required

Bottom line is that the AF has spent millions trying to figure out what makes someone do well in pilot training, and they still don't know. If individuals with an instrument rating or CFI consistently did better, they would require, or pay for those qualifications prior to a student entering pilot training.

Salute!

Go with Snake-breath and especially Tim-breath.

I didn't have the option for USAF ROTC $$$$ when I started. Only the Navy subsidized. I couldn't afford the tuition, so a scholarship was my only option.

1) Ya gotta have a dream that you are willing to expend lottsa time and energy and ....

Otherwise, you need not apply.

2) Any kinda flying is better than no flying. Period.

3) The thing that helped me the most was that I didn't need to apply 90% or even 50% or less of my ability to fly the stoopid plane in the traffic pattern.

Unlike the civilian fields I was used to, there were a dozen or more dweebs trying to get around the pattern and making radio calls and ...

So being able to fly the plane without devoting much of my feeble brain was a good thing. I could listen, look around, plan ahead for the next move.

4) See #3 above.

Find out early if you have the "hands".

**************
USAFA did a lot for me, personally, as at the time all of us got pilot training assignments and had to pass the physical for a nav or pilot slot just to be admitted.

Last few years the % of zoomies getting UPT slots has increased dramatically. And the options are still decent if you can't get a UPT slot.

later,

Gums sends ...

if you want to fly, your best odds are with USAFA, with rotc you have to score pretty good in your det, and even then the % of dudes that get a slot is around to below 50%. For USAFA, of the few people in my class who didnt initially get a slot, they got one later when all the grad school weenies gave up their slots...100% got one who wanted one...even if the numbers have changed a bit, I'd be willing to bet the percentages are still better at USAFA

Forum: Future F-16 crew

USAFA Graduates and Viper Pilots