Forum: Future F-16 crew

Hey everyone,

I'm leaving in June for basic, and then Viper avionics tech school at Keesler and then Sheppard. I was wondering how much free time you have in tech school, and what kind of freedoms you are allowed. I have my private pilot's license and would like to continue to fly at least a little while I'm at Keesler or Sheppard.

Does anyone know if this would be possible and if there are any FBOs or flying clubs at either base or local airports? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Sheppard has a flying club and generally speaking your weekends are free at tech school. I would imagine Keeslers club is also back up and running now but not sure.

Thanks a lot falcon fixer, just what I was hoping for!

I had a student in your same shoes and after he asked for permission to fly he was not given it. You will have to get permisson to fly or just don't tell anyone and take that chance. AETC goes not like to give permission to fly in students status. It all dependers on your Commander.

Thanks a lot stang, not what i was hoping for! Just kidding...just wondering where your student was from, Sheppard or Keesler? Do you know why a commander wouldn't want students to fly? Thanks again for the replies, appreciate it stang!

There is actually a small muni airport not far from Sheeppard that has a FBO w/ flight instruction. I checked it out when I was down there while wife was in tech school. Its pretty nice. Check it out.

http://www.cwftx.net/Transportation/KickapooAirpark.htm

There are a few reasons you wouldn't be able to fly in tech school- the main reason they'll give is that flying, especially in a GA aircraft, is "inherintly dangerous", and the air force would rather you kill yourself in a small aircraft after they've invested thousands of $$ on your training, rather than during. They won't say that, of course, but rest assured; the guys who want to rodeo, skydive, and probably jet ski, or anything else relatively adventurous, most likely won't be allowed.

Another reason is the "phase" system in place. What that means that is when you first arrive, you won't be allowed to do hardly anything- you won't even be able to be in civilian clothes outside your room in phase one. It will most likely be a couple of months, at least, before you're even really allowed off base too much.

Third, your commander won't want you do do anything that might take your mind off your schooling. While there, that is going to be considered your first priority, above pretty much anything but a death in the immediate family.

Your best bet is going t be the slightly dangerous road, or the dissapointing one. If you want to risk it, as stang mentioned, then be prepared for the consequences if you get busted. What that means is if you're hurt or killed, and they haven't approved your flying, then your medical and/or life insurance might not get paid. If you get hurt, you can for sure count on some kind of administrative action, ranging from a letter of reprimand (LOR) to an article 15 (essentially tried in court) all the way to getting booted out. But, if you're going to lose your currency by not flying, then either play the odds and do a currency flight behind the scenes, or pettition your commander for a one-time flight to maintain your license. They may be more leniant in allowing for a single flight in that situation, than letting you fly every weekend just for fun. Either way, best of luck!

I went to tech school at Keesler. Down fridays are great. You WILL be able to fly if you want. My roommate was a skydiver and had no problem, and I had no problem as a pilot. We were in the most uptight squadron there - 334th. There are a few FBOs at GPT - that's your best bet - its pretty close. I haven't been down there since Katrina, so I don't know whats left, but email me if you have any questions about tech school at Keesler.

My student was at Sheppard. But like I said above it depends on your Commander. Some (STUDENT TRAINING) squadrons are not allowed to have Motorcycles as there POV as some are. The one thing I would not do is ask your Commander then once he/she says no do it. That will get you in more trouble then just doing it and if you get caught saying I did not know. Not that I am giving you any ideas. Also if you go that route keep your mouth closed about it at all times and don't tell anyone.

cdhstang wrote:

The one thing I would not do is ask your Commander then once he/she says no do it. That will get you in more trouble then just doing it and if you get caught saying I did not know. Not that I am giving you any ideas. Also if you go that route keep your mouth closed about it at all times and don't tell anyone.

Agreed. When you get there, bounce the idea off one of the cooler MTF NCO's and see what they say. Wait until the beginning of second phase to do this. First phase (at Keesler) you are restricted to the base and must be in a uniform anytime you are outside your room. Second phase you can leave the base in uniform, but on base you can wear civvies, and there is a curfew that is later than the first phasers. Third phase you can leave the base in civvies and stay out all weekend (can you say New Orleans???) I never bothered trying for fourth phase, as I graduated tech school a few weeks after being eligible for fourth phase. I am not aware of a flying club at Keesler. Plan on your only free time being on weekends at tech school. During the week you will be busy with classes, PT, homework and keeping everything in inspection order. You get every other Friday off at Keesler.

Are you going to Keesler straight from Lackland? If so, get ready for a long bus ride, and try to sleep on the bus. You'll be on the bus through the night - it leaves Lackland at 0100ish and you'll be in briefings all day upon arriving at Keesler. I knew quite a bit about what to expect before going and that helped a lot. The MTI's at boot camp will tell you all kinds of BS stories about tech school that a lot of people believed.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

FBOs or flying clubs near Keesler or Sheppard