Forum: Future F-16 crew

I'm 16 years old and a junior in high school with an above 4.0 GPA, taking as many AP classes as possible- I think I'm doing pretty good academically.

I'm one of the top runners in the school- varsity for cross country and track since I was a freshmen, plan on being captain of both those teams next year. I'm no state qualifier, and I don't plan on getting any scholarships for my running, but I think I'm pretty set with my physical stamina and shape.

As for leadership, again, I plan on being captain of the cross country and track team, and besides that and helping out at my church, that's about all that comes to mind right now.

I don't mean to sound arrogant or anything, I just want to give the best possible explanation of my high school career so that I can get the best possible responses in return Smile

I've been taking flight lessons about once a week for about seven months now- logged around 30 hours, and I'm getting ready to do my first solo flight. I've wanted to fly for the military for several years now, and it's finally time for me to step up to the plate and decide where I want to go. Unfortunately, the internet lacks some information and first hand experiences that I seek, and so I came here in hope of some enlightenment. I know that I want to fly- but I cannot decide whether or not I want to fly for the AF or the Navy, and I also can't decide whether or not to attend (apply to) USAFA or USNA, or join an ROTC program at another college. Honestly, I just want to fly and serve my country as best I can.

I have heard that the Navy actually does more flying of fighter jets, and the Air Force is more of flying transportation aircraft. Is this true? Which branch will I actually have more flying time in?

Thanks so much for reading...
Any help would be MUCH appreciated.

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All I can speak for is the Air Force Academy, but I can say that if you want to fly for the Air Force, USAFA is the way to go. My class has literally 500 pilot slots for around 1000 cadets, so if you're in the top 50% of your class (not hard), you're good to go. Of course you can get a slot out of ROTC, but statistically I'd say you're better off sucking it up at USAFA for 4 years if you really want to fly.

As for the Navy vs. Air Force when it comes to fighters, I'm pretty sure the Air Force has more F-16's than the Navy has Hornets and Super Hornets put together. Of course the Navy doesn't have the airlift and tanker fleet that the AF has, so statistically I guess there might be a better chance of getting a fighter in the Navy if you can get on the jet track. Besides, the entire airwing on a carrier is pretty much made up of fighters between the Hornet, Super Hornet, and Growler.

Hope this helps, good luck!

Thanks sirsapo, I'm glad I got a reply from someone who actually has experience in USAFA. I've seen a lot of reviews of the academies, but they were several years old, so I wasn't really sure whether or not they were still valid. I'm always open to anything else you might have to say about USAFA, and the Air Force itself Smile

Just curious, what are you planning on flying for the AF?

sirsapo is right, the 'most assured' way to a pilot slot is the Academy. Though I think that there will be fewer pilot slots across the board in the future, ROTC is still a very viable option if you decide the Academy life isn't for you. Everyone that applied at my Det got a RATED slot and most all of the squared-away ones ended up with pilot slots. If you want the best of both the Academy and ROTC (or the worst, depending on how you view it), you could go to a Senior Military Academy like I did. VMI, Texas A&M, Virginia Tech, etc. You'll get a more military experience but sometimes still have some of the benefits of 'regular' college. Just remember whatever route you decide on is still going to take lots of hard work, there's not really an 'easy' choice! My class has people from the Academy, ROTC, and OTS and all of them put in lots of work to get where they are.

Also, don't fly Navy!

Why do you say not to fly navy? Just curious- I've heard a lot of things about one being worse than the other, but those weren't exactly from sources I trust. Basically, I'm looking to go wherever I have not only the best chance to actually get a pilot slot, but wherever gives me the most opportunities to actually fly. Would you say it is true that Air Force flies mainly transportation/ cargo missions, whereas Navy is more of going into the action? Or is that just a totally dimwitted statement?

Haha, because I'm in the AF! Gotta have pride! Though really, my friends that are doing pilot training with the Navy....its a whole different ball game. I am by no means and expert on Naval flight school, but from what I understand it's a lot less structured as far as the pacing. Plus they're way behind, as far as dates go. I have a friend that graduated/commissioned the same time as me in May 2009 who hasn't even had his dollar ride yet! I don't know why they are having to wait so long. As far as the transpo/cargo question, the Air Force does everything. It depends on what airframe you're flying. We do have more cargo planes than the other services, but we have more fighters too. So to say the AF mainly flies transport would be very false. I know a Navy guy that just tracked C-2 cargo planes. Also, it can't be discounted that cargo planes, not just fighters/bombers, go into the action too!

If you haven't been to www.wantscheck.com it has lots of good info on USAF pilot training stuffs....

Haha alright well I'm glad you're showing pride! Thanks for the input on that statement, it's a lot easier to trust someone actually in the Air Force than someone on Yahoo answers Smile

It's a simple question really: do you want to be stuck on a ship half of each year? If not, Air Force is the logical choice. And if you have any questions on USAFA, shoot me a message. Graduated from there almost 2 years ago.

kw949 wrote:

I'm 16 years old and a junior in high school with an above 4.0 GPA, taking as many AP classes as possible- I think I'm doing pretty good academically.

I'm one of the top runners in the school- varsity for cross country and track since I was a freshmen, plan on being captain of both those teams next year. I'm no state qualifier, and I don't plan on getting any scholarships for my running, but I think I'm pretty set with my physical stamina and shape.

Hi Kw949 you are some exceptional young person! I am a personal trainer but no pilot. I just wanted to supply you with some info regards the physical demands of flying modern fighters. I think this article will help:
http://www.airforce-magazine.com/Magazi ... glock.aspx

You may want to start implementing a strength training program just to learn how to combat +Gs. It does not necessarily have to be traditional power lifting such as max rep dead lifts.

DTIC has articles on g-forces:
http://www.dtic.mil/srch/search?searchv ... bmit+Query

Plus the pilots on F-16.net will be able to help your physical prep.

I am not saying running is bad, I think it is the most calorically intense(i.e. number of calories burned per unit of time) way to train for aerobic capacity but you may need more of other kinds of training as well.

Oh yea I've defintely been planning on working on some upper body workouts, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet Smile

Do you have any suggestions as to what kind of workouts I should do to help stand the G's, or to just get more in shape?

kw949 wrote:

Oh yea I've defintely been planning on working on some upper body workouts, but I just haven't gotten around to it yet Smile

Do you have any suggestions as to what kind of workouts I should do to help stand the G's, or to just get more in shape?

Big question. In my opinion there are many kinds of "strength." An olympic gymnast could not keep up with a powerlifter and conversley that powerlifter on the best day of his life could not do what the gymnast can do. They are both "strong" for their particular needs.

Once again in my opinion it helps to know your body. Are you tall and thin hipped? Wide hipped and broad shouldered? I believe that certain body types are predisposed to be better at certain types of strength exercises.

Do not fall into the trap of thinking that all strength training involves only weights. Pullups, rope climbing, weighted pushups are not to be sneezed at.

I would not forget about lower body training as strong legs will help you to resist stress. That does not mean to go to your gym and load up the squat bar. Leg presses are no joke either and probably better resemble the fighter pilot's seated position.

I hesitate to give you a specific plan without knowing you in person and also because I am not a fighter pilot. I point that out because I think different activities require specificity after a while, and the real pilots will likely have more specific info as to what works and what does not. One caveat to that is ask ten people the "best way to train" and expect 10 very militant snd different opinions. That being said I would think that repeated centrifuge training (if possible, a pox on the services if they do not or will not provide that) should be at the top of a fighter pilots training program.

As for a general non-specific program I think what used to be called cross training(now known as Crossfit, 300 training, whatever people use to sell essentially the same thing) is great for combining endurance with strength.
I would say access to an obstacle course in warm weather makes a grueling combo. Once again, I would not say that is necessarily the way to train a fighter pilot.

I hope this helps and I hope I did not confuse you. I just don't believe there is one way to "train."

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

Thanks a lot I will definitely look into some different types of workouts. I'm sure I can get in some crunches and a couple pullups everyday, easy!

Pursue your dream and the best of luck to you. You're fortunate, the generation coming after you may have to be content "flying' UAVs. LOL

Thanks! I sure hope UAVs don't take over haha, they can't be nearly as fun!

kw949 wrote:

Thanks a lot I will definitely look into some different types of workouts. I'm sure I can get in some crunches and a couple pullups everyday, easy!

IMO, maybe planks as opposed to crunches.

You know I'm skeptical on the future of our country as compared to our position with China. People like you give hope.

As for an all-UAV future...it will cost us our souls. I'd rather see genetically enhanced human pilots as opposed to machines fighting for us.

Forum: Future F-16 crew

Air Force or Navy? USAFA vs. USNA vs. ROTC