Forum: Future F-16 crew

I am very interested in becoming an F-16 fighter pilot but I have hit a brick wall in my search for Air Guard units with available positions. I have cold-called a few units here in Texas with no success. I am willing to move out of state, if necessary, and I am even open to active duty (although I understand there is no guarantee to the aircraft you will be assigned). The following is a bit of backgrouns that gives a general overview of where I stand.

I have good scores on the AFOQT:

Pil - 95
Nav - 95
Acad - 93
Verb - 81
Quant - 97

I have a solid GPA in a tough major:
[Link pending approval] out of [Link pending approval] in Civil Engineering

I am prior enlisted so I understand how the military operates, generally speaking.

I am in good physical condition with perfect vision and have an intense desire to fly and a great deal of motivation to succeed.

I have two downsides that may act against me, however, and they are that I am currently 27 yrs 3 mos old and I have no previous flight experience.

I would like any advice or feedback from pilots who can help. I thank you in advance and hope some day to fly and defend this great nation of ours.

F-16.net Sponsor

Not to burst your bubble, but your 27 right now? You might want to try the Navy. I believe their cut off is 29.

In the AF, you MUST enter flight training before you're 30.

I don't think that any guard units offer flight training. You must already be an AF pilot BEFORE you
enter a guard unit, if I'm not mistaken.

Your best chance is to go back into the regular Air Force after discussing the matter very thoroughly with a senior recruiter. Get his help and guidance, and if there is a way for you to become an AF pilot, then go for it. But I don't think you can be "part time" during flight training. It's a full time job. Be prepared for that.

CJ

I'm a Tucson Guard guy that just finished up pilot training. Send me a PM and I'll give you some info.

Another option is to go to all the public web sites of Air National Guard units. The Guard will take new recruits and turn them into pilots. I've got some crew chiefs that have gone this route. I will say however that it can be a long and difficult situation. Colorado not a good choice because they usually have about 250 applicants for any one position. Maybe check D.C. or some other units in lower population areas and not close to a large airport. Most guard pilots fly for the airlines and usually try to live near a major hubs.............Additonally, I know you want to be a pilot but there are other flying positions to consider. Hope this helps...........Chickenlegs

Wow. I didn't know that. I had always figured that guard units were like reserve units in that they drew their people from the pool of available applicants that have left the active duty services, and at least in the case of aircrew positions, required them to come trained already.

Very interesting news.

CJ

They use both methods. Some units can just about hand pick who they want. For us, a lot of Air Force Academy Grads but also Marine and Navy (with various fighter experience) type to expand their knowledge of tactics and maneuvers. Doesn't hurt to have someone from another branch of service to know the in's and out's either. I would say in the last few of years that we've had at least a half dozen new pilots that started from pilot training and now fly combat missions.

Chickenlegs

Additionally, when you go through pilot training your in an active duty type status (not part time) during your training. Upon return there's some seasoning training and then part time. Whether a newly trained pilot or a seasoned one, each individual still has to fly a set number of sorties (of different training requirements i.e. BFM, AtoA, AtoG, Night Vision, etc) to maintain their currencies.

waiver waiver waiver....

Cylon
"The guard has a waiver for everything....."

waiver waiver waiver....

Cylon
"The guard has a waiver for everything....."

Allright, just what do you mean by that? If anything the active duty is so an#l about things you wonder how they get anything done. Oh that's right, they have about three times the people. We still do things safe and I think our flying record and overseas deployments can vouch for that as well. Smile

(You can't waiver combat or Homeland Defense)
Have a Great Day
Chickenlegs

Guard pilots have 1.58 times the medical waivers of active duty pilots. AND that counts for your "3 times the people."

SO, in a sense you have more than 2 times the wiavers, person for person.... THATS WHAT I MEAN.

Cylon

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Earning my wings