Forum: Future F-16 crew

I am curious about how difficult is it to get fighter/bomber out of UPT. Is this usually the first track to go? And if you get that track, how difficult is it to get your desired airframe after specialzed training?

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It all depends on timing. There are a couple of options available: either SUPT or ENJJPT. SUPT is for all intents and purposes U.S. only (not entirely, but close enough) and requires that you compete against all students for a T-38 (fighter/bomber trainer). However, ENJJPT is a joint program for NATO countries and you are essentially guaranteed a T-38.

Now, up until the recent past, getting a T-38 was enough to ensure a fighter/bomber. However, now they are dropping U-28s, PC-12, and UAVs on the T-38 side as well. In fact, things aren't getting any better any time soon most likely. Currently there is a wait of OVER ONE YEAR from graduation from T-38s until you start RTU for most fighter aircraft. The training pipelines are extremely backed up for the F-15C, A-10, and especially F-16, either due to maintenance, upgrade, or pipeline bottleneck issues. If you are looking to start UPT anytime within the next year I am willing to guess that you will need to be the #1, or possibly top 2 in the class in order to end up in a pointy aircraft. However, after that the Air Force will most likely once again over-compensate and send a flood of pilots to fighters, so your chances may not be too bad.

I'm not in the military yet, but my research tells me several things.

1. If you are in UPT from ANG then you are already guaranteed a specific airframe because to train for whatever your unit flies. Ex: If 482nd in Homestead were to send me to UPT I'd be flying an F-16 as long as I don't washout.

2. As far as the USAF Active Duty is concerned it it primarily need based. The amount of slots for fighters/bombers varies with each year.

3. By "go" I assume you mean selected/filled up, yes I think it's safe to say that most of the selects in UPT aim for fighters. But there are also some that go for heavies.

4. Depends on what you want and what the Air Force needs. If there aren't any slots for your specific fighter than you obviously can't train for it.

Thanks, I have heard about ENJJPT before and think that might be very interesting. I wouldn't enter UPT for another 3 or 4 years, so hopefully things would clear up by then.

I take it you're interested in ENJJPT because they only train fighters. (I'm right there with you buddy lol) 3-4 years huh? Maybe I'll see you in the skies someday.

Take a look at this

[Link pending approval]

What phase of ENJJPT are you currently in? I just got bumped up to an ENJPPT slot last month so hopefully I'll be there by early 2010!

I'm not in ENJJPT right now, if you were asking me. The earliest would be late 2012. I'm a freshman right now at the Air Force Academy.

I was asking xskyk1dx, but its cool man. Enjoy the Academy, I was up there in Feb. for a conference. Beautiful place up there!

I'm not in either. I'll also be getting in late 2012. I'm trying to go through the Guard I'll apply after I get my BA in Computer Science.

2010??? 2012???? Holy Crap!

Gums, you feelin' old right now??? I know TC is.

TC, just think a potential new seat weight and zippersuit to ask "Hey, Load Toad, where's my coffee?"