USAF Pilot requirements?

InlandFlyer · December 25th, 2005, 17:25

I'm currently pursuing a career in aviation, but I'm not too sure whether I want to go civilian or military first. I'm working on my ratings and am probably going to have my commercial by march or april and will finish up my bachelor's by fall of '06. I was just wondering how hard it is to get a pilot's slot in the AF? I heard its only a select few, around 4% of the AF that are actually pilots. Do you actually find out if you have a slot before signing up for OTC? Also, what are the GPA requirements? I have about a 3.0. Not sure exactly what to do so just wondering what you guys think.

Koen · December 27th, 2005, 09:08

For OTS people, I did ROTC, they will find out of they have been selected to pilot training before they sign on with the AF. Unlike ROTC, where you sign first, then compete for a slot. The requirements themselves are very stringent, and the part that gets most people is the physical. (vison, hearing, something weird you had when you were little, etc) GPA will need to be 3.0 or higher for sure, 3.5 would look better. If you have any questions about the AF, you can PM me. Im a weather officer who wanted to go to pilot training -- the vision requirements sunk that though. Look up an Ofiicer Recruiter and go talk to them, theyre real cool and wont pressure you too much. They'll be able to give you answers to just about everything. If you're physically qualified, definitely go for it. It is the absolutely the best way to fly for a living!!

MDPilot · December 28th, 2005, 08:48

How hard is it? Typically there are 100 initial applicants for each UPT training slot out there. GPA? It is one of the factors that makes you competitive with the other 99 trying to get that same slot. Other factors are: medical, physical condition, type of degree, age, previous flying time, BAT score, AFOQT score, background check and several others. Think COMPETITION.

Once you actually get one of those UPT slots, the academic and flying competition continues throughout the year to determine your class ranking (among all those other 1 of 100 guys) and assignment to aircraft type. (Oh yeah, typical washout rate averages 20% from all factors including medical, fear of flying, airsickness, academic, flyng, self induced elimination ie. you quit.) Then at graduation, you have a 10 year committment to the military before you can get out and work on the civilian career stuff. Also remember you are an officer first, pilot second. The needs of the AF come first.

Is it worth it? Only you can decide that.

What are your chances? Zero if you don't apply, 1 in a 100 if you do. Just how much effort do you want to put into being COMPETITIVE?

InlandFlyer · December 31st, 2005, 15:23

Well I just figured out that my eye sight is 20/100 correctable to 20/20 and the air force requires 20/70 or better so that pretty much disqualifies me from getting a UPT slot. I was wondering if all the military pilot jobs are the same medically for Navy, Marines, CG or ANG. Do they all require the 20/70 or better to become a pilot?

MDPilot · December 31st, 2005, 15:48

20/100 distant is well within waiverable conditions

InlandFlyer · December 31st, 2005, 20:16

Oh great, I wasn't aware that those kinds of things were waiverable. How do you go about getting a waiver for a medical condition such as that? Is that just something I need to talk about with my recruiter?

MDPilot · January 1st, 2006, 12:19

Yep, first thing is, you need to be talking to an officer recruiter, they are fewer and more far between than the other recruiters. Otherwise you'll end up enlisting in the AF with a recruiters promise that "oh yeah it'll be easy to transition over to officer and get a pilot slot once you get on active duty."

I recently heard a rumor that only 48 pilot OCS slots were left for FY06, don't know how true that is.

Texasspilot · January 2nd, 2006, 01:20

I talked to my recruiter about a month ago when I was finishing up my packet and according to him there were no slots available until sept or oct of FY '06. As for the competition you'll never know unless you try. I can tell you that my recruiter is the main officer recruiter for Texas and Louisianna and he was asked to submit 6 applications. He had a stack of close to 150 sitting in his office.

frog_flyer · January 8th, 2006, 00:54

slip him a crisp new george washington

Boltonpilot · January 12th, 2006, 15:43

...So I'm enlisted in the ANG as of Sep. '05, (but I don't go to basic/tech. 'till this July). During the physical at MEPS, I failed the depth perception test...is that a problem if I'm hoping on applying for a pilot slot after college? (Vision is 20/70, correctable 20/20...can't wait to wear those "awesome" glasses at Lackland!!

)

GirlInTraining · January 13th, 2006, 10:20

^^^ Lots of people can't pass the depth perception test, especially on the first go. Most of the time, you can get a waiver for flying status (as long as there are no other underlying conditions).

Before you take your IFC I physical, make sure you have a good, up-to-date prescription pair of glasses, since you will take the depth perception test with them. Also, some people have recommended looking at those "magic eye" pictures (stare at it and an image pops out) - you train your eyes to look through the image, and can help depth perception. Something that also might help is leaning back/taking a quick break if you don't see the circle "pop" right away. Then go back and try again. Baseops.net has a lot of topics already posted on this very subject - check there too.

Texasspilot · January 14th, 2006, 01:25

I also failed the depth perception test at MEPS. Evidently something like 50% of people fail it on the first try. Probably because the damn things like 80 years old and you can't see clearly through the glass...but i digress. I had to go to a optometrist and get my eyes checked for abnormalities and then that gets turned in and theyll either accept that as proof or allow me to retake the test.

Boltonpilot · January 14th, 2006, 01:47

Well that's good to hear...I was kinda worried!

skywestseth · January 14th, 2006, 21:26

Quote:

wait to wear those "awesome" glasses at Lackland

you must be referring to the BCG's...best pair of spectacles i ever owned...

Killtron2000 · January 16th, 2006, 16:25

I'am new to this forum but everyone seems to know alot more then i do. I'am about 3 flights away from my private pilot license I plan to go career. I'am willing to take the civilian route to being a profesional pilot but I would really perfer the military. Next fall I start my freshmen year at college and I want to do anything that would help get me flying for the military. How do I stack the deck in my favor so I can get a slot for training. What kind of classes would look good I'am considering quantum physics, meteorology and alot of math classes if I took those and had a 4.0 would that give me a good chance? I'am very relieved to hear that the vision requirment is only 20/100 uncorrected I have 20/30 with an astigmatism and its corrected to 20/15 so if I understand right this would not be a problem. Also how much physical shape matter I'am in fairly good shape but I would like to know if it is a good idea to be in perfect shape before I go to the recruiter. If I was to go to a recruiter would they want me to take physical test and aptitude test right away?

Texasspilot · January 17th, 2006, 15:05

Killtron,

1. I think ROTC is probably your best bet besides the academy, so join the Air Force ROTC if your school has one.

2. A technical degree such as engineering or something heavy on the sciences/math is a good idea. Some recruiters wont talk to you with a liberal arts or some other similiar degree.

3. GPA is only part of the equation. Be active on campus join a greek orginization and take a leadership role. Participate in organized sports and take a leadership role.

4. The Air Force has set height/weight requirements that must be met. Though these can be waived if your body fat is ok but weight is to high. This was my case as my max weight is 184 at 5'9". I was 205 at 13% body fat but decided to drop weight in order to not require the waiver.

As far as the vision id ask the recruiter. If your not set on the Air Force the Navy has a program where they will actually pay you while your in school and then you go to OCS after you graduate and I believe the Marines have a similiar program where you actually go to OTS your last two summers for six weeks each.

December 25th, 2005, 17:25	#1
InlandFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cypress Posts: 51	USAF Pilot requirements? I'm currently pursuing a career in aviation, but I'm not too sure whether I want to go civilian or military first. I'm working on my ratings and am probably going to have my commercial by march or april and will finish up my bachelor's by fall of '06. I was just wondering how hard it is to get a pilot's slot in the AF? I heard its only a select few, around 4% of the AF that are actually pilots. Do you actually find out if you have a slot before signing up for OTC? Also, what are the GPA requirements? I have about a 3.0. Not sure exactly what to do so just wondering what you guys think.

December 27th, 2005, 09:08	#2
Koen Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: SC Posts: 35	For OTS people, I did ROTC, they will find out of they have been selected to pilot training before they sign on with the AF. Unlike ROTC, where you sign first, then compete for a slot. The requirements themselves are very stringent, and the part that gets most people is the physical. (vison, hearing, something weird you had when you were little, etc) GPA will need to be 3.0 or higher for sure, 3.5 would look better. If you have any questions about the AF, you can PM me. Im a weather officer who wanted to go to pilot training -- the vision requirements sunk that though. Look up an Ofiicer Recruiter and go talk to them, theyre real cool and wont pressure you too much. They'll be able to give you answers to just about everything. If you're physically qualified, definitely go for it. It is the absolutely the best way to fly for a living!! __________________ "Why are you still here?" -Quagmire

December 28th, 2005, 08:48	#3
MDPilot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southeast US Posts: 776	How hard is it? Typically there are 100 initial applicants for each UPT training slot out there. GPA? It is one of the factors that makes you competitive with the other 99 trying to get that same slot. Other factors are: medical, physical condition, type of degree, age, previous flying time, BAT score, AFOQT score, background check and several others. Think COMPETITION. Once you actually get one of those UPT slots, the academic and flying competition continues throughout the year to determine your class ranking (among all those other 1 of 100 guys) and assignment to aircraft type. (Oh yeah, typical washout rate averages 20% from all factors including medical, fear of flying, airsickness, academic, flyng, self induced elimination ie. you quit.) Then at graduation, you have a 10 year committment to the military before you can get out and work on the civilian career stuff. Also remember you are an officer first, pilot second. The needs of the AF come first. Is it worth it? Only you can decide that. What are your chances? Zero if you don't apply, 1 in a 100 if you do. Just how much effort do you want to put into being COMPETITIVE? __________________ Mike

December 31st, 2005, 15:48	#5
MDPilot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southeast US Posts: 776	20/100 distant is well within waiverable conditions __________________ Mike

January 1st, 2006, 12:19	#7
MDPilot Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southeast US Posts: 776	Yep, first thing is, you need to be talking to an officer recruiter, they are fewer and more far between than the other recruiters. Otherwise you'll end up enlisting in the AF with a recruiters promise that "oh yeah it'll be easy to transition over to officer and get a pilot slot once you get on active duty." I recently heard a rumor that only 48 pilot OCS slots were left for FY06, don't know how true that is. __________________ Mike

December 31st, 2005, 15:23	#4
InlandFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cypress Posts: 51	Well I just figured out that my eye sight is 20/100 correctable to 20/20 and the air force requires 20/70 or better so that pretty much disqualifies me from getting a UPT slot. I was wondering if all the military pilot jobs are the same medically for Navy, Marines, CG or ANG. Do they all require the 20/70 or better to become a pilot?

December 31st, 2005, 20:16	#6
InlandFlyer Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cypress Posts: 51	Oh great, I wasn't aware that those kinds of things were waiverable. How do you go about getting a waiver for a medical condition such as that? Is that just something I need to talk about with my recruiter?

January 2nd, 2006, 01:20	#8
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,077	I talked to my recruiter about a month ago when I was finishing up my packet and according to him there were no slots available until sept or oct of FY '06. As for the competition you'll never know unless you try. I can tell you that my recruiter is the main officer recruiter for Texas and Louisianna and he was asked to submit 6 applications. He had a stack of close to 150 sitting in his office.

January 8th, 2006, 00:54	#9
frog_flyer Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: FTW Posts: 4,009 Blog Entries: 1	slip him a crisp new george washington __________________ "There needs to be more drinking here on JC. We need more ******* partying!" -Doug Taylor 210TT 20 ME

January 12th, 2006, 15:43	#10
Boltonpilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: OH Posts: 161	...So I'm enlisted in the ANG as of Sep. '05, (but I don't go to basic/tech. 'till this July). During the physical at MEPS, I failed the depth perception test...is that a problem if I'm hoping on applying for a pilot slot after college? (Vision is 20/70, correctable 20/20...can't wait to wear those "awesome" glasses at Lackland!! )

January 13th, 2006, 10:20	#11
GirlInTraining Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Lounging in Pyjamas Posts: 69	^^^ Lots of people can't pass the depth perception test, especially on the first go. Most of the time, you can get a waiver for flying status (as long as there are no other underlying conditions). Before you take your IFC I physical, make sure you have a good, up-to-date prescription pair of glasses, since you will take the depth perception test with them. Also, some people have recommended looking at those "magic eye" pictures (stare at it and an image pops out) - you train your eyes to look through the image, and can help depth perception. Something that also might help is leaning back/taking a quick break if you don't see the circle "pop" right away. Then go back and try again. Baseops.net has a lot of topics already posted on this very subject - check there too. __________________ Flying is hours and hours of boredom - interspersed with moments of stark terror.

January 14th, 2006, 01:25	#12
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,077	I also failed the depth perception test at MEPS. Evidently something like 50% of people fail it on the first try. Probably because the damn things like 80 years old and you can't see clearly through the glass...but i digress. I had to go to a optometrist and get my eyes checked for abnormalities and then that gets turned in and theyll either accept that as proof or allow me to retake the test.

January 14th, 2006, 01:47	#13
Boltonpilot Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: OH Posts: 161	Well that's good to hear...I was kinda worried!

January 16th, 2006, 16:25	#15
Killtron2000 Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Prime Universe Posts: 1,633	I'am new to this forum but everyone seems to know alot more then i do. I'am about 3 flights away from my private pilot license I plan to go career. I'am willing to take the civilian route to being a profesional pilot but I would really perfer the military. Next fall I start my freshmen year at college and I want to do anything that would help get me flying for the military. How do I stack the deck in my favor so I can get a slot for training. What kind of classes would look good I'am considering quantum physics, meteorology and alot of math classes if I took those and had a 4.0 would that give me a good chance? I'am very relieved to hear that the vision requirment is only 20/100 uncorrected I have 20/30 with an astigmatism and its corrected to 20/15 so if I understand right this would not be a problem. Also how much physical shape matter I'am in fairly good shape but I would like to know if it is a good idea to be in perfect shape before I go to the recruiter. If I was to go to a recruiter would they want me to take physical test and aptitude test right away?

January 17th, 2006, 15:05	#16
Texasspilot Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,077	Killtron, 1. I think ROTC is probably your best bet besides the academy, so join the Air Force ROTC if your school has one. 2. A technical degree such as engineering or something heavy on the sciences/math is a good idea. Some recruiters wont talk to you with a liberal arts or some other similiar degree. 3. GPA is only part of the equation. Be active on campus join a greek orginization and take a leadership role. Participate in organized sports and take a leadership role. 4. The Air Force has set height/weight requirements that must be met. Though these can be waived if your body fat is ok but weight is to high. This was my case as my max weight is 184 at 5'9". I was 205 at 13% body fat but decided to drop weight in order to not require the waiver. As far as the vision id ask the recruiter. If your not set on the Air Force the Navy has a program where they will actually pay you while your in school and then you go to OCS after you graduate and I believe the Marines have a similiar program where you actually go to OTS your last two summers for six weeks each.

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