Forum: Future F-16 crew

Hello Everyone,

I just came across this forum the other day and I thought it would be a good place to post a question I have had for a while.

I was in the middle of my application to OTS for a pilot slot when I was told by a former AF doctor that there was pretty much 0% chance that I would be able to fly a jet (F-16,15,etc) for the Air force because most of the jet slots go to the Academy grads and then what is is left is divvied up in a political fashion. [Link pending approval] who you know, your dad was a fighter pilot, your uncle is a general, etc.

A little background on me:
I scored in the 90's in all categories of the AFOQT except pilot and Nav which I scored 75 and 81 respectively. I plan to retake it though, this time studying some flight manuals to improve my flight score (such as Gleim ground school books etc). I've already had my flight physical and I am physically cleared to be a pilot. During the physical I was temp disqualified and had to get some things fixed. Now they are fixed, and Im pretty much set. I haven't re-submitted my app after that disqualification because I can't leave my current job at this time and after talking to that former AF doctor I am kind of discouraged. I really dont want to commit 8 years of my life if I am not going to be able to fly a jet.

I'm currently employed by the Dept of the AF as a civilian engineer, GS-12. I see F-15s taking off and landing and doing maneuvers every day at work and everytime I see one I think more and more about getting into a pilot slot once my civilian commitment is completed. However, if the chance of being a fighter pilot are close to 0% then I think I would rather continue my civilian service and join up with the nat'l guard or the reserves.

Thanks for any input!

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Yeah.... that former doc is pretty much full of sh*t. I can't stand it when someone says stuff like that.

Cylon

Thanks cylon, that's what I wanted to hear. I'm hoping I can run into some f-15 pilots on base and ask for some advice from them aswell, but so far no luck. What's the easiest give away between the flight crew in flight suits and the pilots? I see these guys every day at the flight kitchen and I'd like to start up a convo with a pilot but I'm not always sure which ones are crew and which are pilots.

Can you also give me any input to whether or not my current scores are competitive compared to other pilot applicants, especially those looking for fighter aircraft? I would love to fly a f-15,f-16 or a-10. I don't currently have my general aviation license but I have been around aircraft my whole life and have flown about a dozen different civilian aircraft. I've also read that the best height for a fighter pilot is 68 inches. I'm 70inches, but I am pretty top heavy from working out alot, so I hope that wouldnt be a problem. Can you also tell me what determines who gets a fighter slot and who doesn't? I really want to make sure Im focused on all the right things.

Thanks again for your input and thanks for your service.

btw. The good Doc told me to go Navy if I wanted to be a fighter pilot.

The phrase "get a second opinion" comes to mind...

Vis-ID of a pilot: Worste case; ASK THEM!

F-15: WTFO???

Scores: I have no idea what competative is anymore....sorry. I went through ROTC over 10 years ago. Your interest is in the right place, and a pilots license is NOT required. Keep on the same track and I bet I'll be meeting you at the Nellis O-club... THEN I'll show you what your jinks looked like in my HUD!!!

Cylon

I agree w/ Cylon...that Doc is smoking something. Way back when, a good protion of the slots went to AFA grads, but there were plenty of OTS and ROTC guys in UPT. As for your scores, I know that folks that have applied for UPT slots, and made it to an interview at my unit score in the 90s across the board. Our selection board uses the AFOQT scores as one of the determiners for an interview.

Assignment preferences are determined by your standing in the class. The higher in the ranking, the more chance you get the jet you wanted. Notable exception...Guard and Reserve guys as their jet is already determined since the hiring unit sends them to UPT. You do still have to make the grade for fighters..used to be called FAR (Fighter/Attack/Reconnaisance) qual. Not sure what they do now. Good Luck!

Gus

While at Field Training, we had a cadet in my Flight who would always talk about how he was going to get a pilot slot because his father was a Colonel or something like that. As it turns out, he didn't graduate Field Training and was forced out of the Air Force.

Currently there is something like 1100 pilot slots awarded each year. About 500 goto the AFA, about 500 more go to ROTC, and the last 100 or so go to OTS. For ROTC, the slots are determined according to Commander's Rating, PFT score, GPA, AFOQT, and PCSM (Pilot Candidate Scoring Method, includes things like Flight hours if you have them). And I'm pretty sure its in that order too. Once you get to UPT everyone is at the same level though- you have to earn your rank in your class, and from that, they determine who gets their choice of aircraft.

Those AFOQT are very good, I think. Anything in the 90's is outstanding. Granted, the pilot/nav section could be higher, but there are people with much lower scores who earn slots each year. Remember, you only get to take it twice, and the second score counts. Good luck!

If you want to see how recent guys (that got pilot slots) have scored on the AFOQT check out http://www.wantscheck.com/Default.aspx?tabid=238

Sorry for changing the topic title this late in the discussion, but we had two active topics with the same title.

My apologies for any inconvenience or confusion!

stefaan

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Do most jet pilot slots go to Academy grads?