Forum: Future F-16 crew

I have visited [Link pending approval] for many years, and now I am making my first post.

I am a newly minted Lt and will be headed to UPT at Laughlin in March 2010. Ever since I was a little kid I always wanted to be a viper driver. From what people are saying you have to be in the top 2% to get a 38 and then the top 1% to get a fighter. Is it still looking this bad? I know its going to be a bear but I am going to do it. What would you guys recommend I do to get my self towards the top of the pack? I am currently working on my instrument rating and have done the acro thing and hopeful will be able to get to do formation as well. Thanks!

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Salute!

Hope you meant March of 2011 and not three months ago.

PLZ clarify private aviation background and actual date for UPT.

Gums....

Gums, you are correct, my class starts March 14th 2011.

For my aviation background I have my ppl and I am studying for my instrument ticket, which I should have by the end of august. I have done all the basic and intermitted acrobatics, up to the clover leaf in the citabria. I have a friend who does formation flying and he let me sit back seat once. After I have competed my instrument ticket he is going to hopefully teach me the basics to get the feel.

If you want to prepare, 1) Get on AF publishing, and download 11-202v3 (flight rules) and 11-217 (instruments), 2) find any T-6 gouge you can for primary (memorize ops limits, etc.). It's not going to make a lot of sense, though, until you're there and living it. Keep in mind that part of the equation is being able to perform the basic flight/instruments/aero, while another huge part is knowing the info in the books (especially the stuff that will transfer to future airframes).

Knowing your airplane and flying decently are significant factors in getting 38s. You've heard it before, and will hear it a million times, but it's also your attitude, and the way your IPs perceive you. I went through Pensacola 6 years ago, so anything relating to availability of 38s is n/a now. Don't get wrapped up in the numbers/odds game. We had people (like every class), who tried to 'game' the system, per se...just realize that the IPs have been where you are now and know all the tricks. If you're a good dude and know your stuff, you'll do fine. It's amazing how simple that sounds, but a lot of people don't get it.

That reminds me: when you get to Laughlin, make it a point to not mention to anybody (especially the IPs) that you have done some acro, or that you have your instrument rating. It won't impress anyone, and will just make your flight-mates resent you...rather, on your first acro or instrument ride, just knock it out of the park and pretend like it's no big deal. That will separate you from the pack (in terms of ability and attitude).

As for the follow-on F-16? One step at a time. By the time you're through 38s, you might be bidding for the 35 anyway. Even more so than in T-6s, it is very much about your attitude and how you present yourself. When it comes to giving out assignments, the IPs that aren't FAIPS and have fighter experience will ask themselves, "when I get back to my F-16, could I see myself flying with this guy"? If the answer is no, then you're out of luck. It's not just if they think you'll succeed there, but if they WANT you to have a chance to succeed there.

Long post, let me know if you have any specific q's.

Salute!

What pitfu said.

My group at PT had several that had gone thru a special program the previous summer. Pilot Indoctrination Training. It involved 12 rides in the T-37, right up to solo flight.

So when I showed up at Craig in 1964 I had one helluva advantage over most of my fellow dweebs. Wasn't uncomfortable with the chute and oxygen mask, knew the pre-flight and EP's, had done all the acro and such, you name it.

The biggest thing, though, was not being able to put the plane where you were supossed to. It was being able to fly and have situational awareness, make radio calls, etc. Many of my classmates had trouble just being able to hold altitude and enter the pattern. I had the "touch" from the time I first flew at 16 years old with a private ticket. But this was a lot different. Many dweebs in the pattern, plenty of air traffic control requirements, etc. So my previous experience helped a lot WRT to just flying the plane. I DID NOT HAVE AN INSTRUMENT RATING. Turned out I caught on to IFR quickly, and my grades for those flights helped me graduate very high.

As pit has stated, don't lie about prior time, but admit you have some prior airborne time as a "light" pilot. And for God's sake, keep it to yourself around your classmates.

As pit stated, your IP's will look at your skills and try to help you where THEY THINK you need it. They can also be complete idiots and trash you for B.S.

So know your EP's and the admin crapola and be ready at the pre-flight briefing. Let them know that you want to fly neat jets if they ask, otherwise be the best damned student pilot they ever saw. Humility counts a lot.

Academics are very important, and your overall grade will mainly depend upon looking at the "objectives" and focusing upon mastering them for the tests. I did very well on that stuff because I wasn't too worried about the flying part of the course.

Finally, leadership and extra-curricula stuff counts. Being a well-rounded officer is important. And on the other side of the coin, getting in trouble downtown can really hurt, so stay cool at the club.

Gums sends ...

Pitfu and Gums,

Thank you for your extremely informative posts. When you are referring to attitude could you be a little more specific? By attitude are you referring to the way you handle busting a ride (good attitude) or how you do go around saying I deserve a fighter type thing (bad attitude)? Pitfu, when you said "when I get back to my F-16, could I see myself flying with this guy" what typically would constitute a good wingman? Not being a complete doucher, being able to take jokes, leadership etc. Thanks again for your input!

What I think they mean is: don't be a tool. Like pitfu said; the IPs will be assessing everyone to determine which dudes they think are worthy of trusting to fly fighters. When I say trust I mean that there's a certain faith among fighter-guys. Fighters fly multi-ship (2 and mostly 4-ship ops) and every guy in the flight must trust every other guy, without reservation, to protect them and have their backs (check six!) from threats. My input is that the IPs will be looking for a guy with a great attitude, sense of humor, that is honest and wants to fly a fighter-jet more than anything imaginable. You must be team oriented, thinking about the welfare of your bros more than you think of your own. It is quite simple actually: approach UPT with all the energy you can muster, have a positive attitude, take care of your bros, and work very hard at every opportunity...finally: have a great time! Pilot training was one of the very best, and most memorable experiences I have ever had in 20 years of aviation.

Good luck amigo.

What I think they mean is: don't be a tool. Like pitfu said; the IPs will be assessing everyone to determine which dudes they think are worthy of trusting to fly fighters. When I say trust I mean that there's a certain faith among fighter-guys. Fighters fly multi-ship (2 and mostly 4-ship ops) and every guy in the flight must trust every other guy, without reservation, to protect them and have their backs (check six!) from threats. My input is that the IPs will be looking for a guy with a great attitude, sense of humor, that is honest and wants to fly a fighter-jet more than anything imaginable. You must be team oriented, thinking about the welfare of your bros more than you think of your own. It is quite simple actually: approach UPT with all the energy you can muster, have a positive attitude, take care of your bros, and work very hard at every opportunity...finally: have a great time! Pilot training was one of the very best, and most memorable experiences I have ever had in 20 years of aviation.

Good luck amigo.

Salute!

Good attitude?

You will prolly meet some of the IP's that believe the best way to hone your skills is to employ the old, tried and true method of "fear, sarcasm and ridicule". Some will even do this as you are flying a profile, maybe even do it in front of your classmates.

Just act sheepish and say you'll do better next time. Be like a duck and let the stuff roll off your wings.

Don't brag!!!!

Don't rub it in on other studs if you do better. Just admit you practiced hard and studied hard and that's the way things turned out.

Support your classmates that are less skilled. Gain their trust and respect.

Don't speak unless you have something to contribute to the group.

If you are doing well academically and in the flying stuff, then do some things for the group activities.

and the beat goes on

Gums sends ....

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