Questions about being a fighter pilot

[matt@cfi2cfi.com]

I have been reading into what it takes to become a fighter pilot and I think that I may be able to meet the requirements. However, I don't know what it is like to be one.

If anyone could give me insight into the life of a fighter pilot, it would be greatly appreciated. I am also wondering how much flying they do (per month)?

Thanks,
Matt

[SharkFisher]

On the left side menu of the main page click on "Perspectives". There are atleast 2 USAF pilots who shared their story. I am sure it will be very helpful.

[matt@cfi2cfi.com]

cool, thanks

[FlyNavy]

To offer a USN counterpoint from my "brothers in blue," there are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Become an officer to be a leader of men and a defender of freedom and the American way of life. Uncle Sam may decide that the best way you can do this is at the pointy end of an F-18, or he may decide that you can best serve as Officer of the Deck on a Frigate. If you absolutely have to fly, just realize that you may be rolling the dice. Some OCS programs may give you a guaranteed flight school slot, but that may be as an NFO as well, as was my case. Don't get me wrong, I loved flying as a 'FO, but my 1500+ hours flying in combat and crappy weather in EA-6B's count for exactly squat!

2. The flying is incredible. You will do things that will raise the hair on the back of your neck every time you fly. 500+ knot low levels. Dogfighting. Large force exercises involving 60 or more aircraft in close quarters, at night, lights out. Cat shots. Night traps. You will be able to tell stories about at least one time that you almost got killed. You will be exhilarated, and at times, terrified. At the end of the day, you will have a cadre of brothers to share a beer with, and discuss how you can't believe they pay you for this! However:

3. In the USN (and to a certain extent, USAF), flying is a collateral duty, i.e., not your primary job. Your primary job will be as a maintenance division officer, schedule writer, watchstander, personnel officer, etc. This in itself is extremely rewarding, but it is a leadership role, not flying. Some people don't like being a leader/manager.

4. The Navy is all about command at sea. To this end, you will be expected to take "challenging non flying" assignments to develop professionally and to become more well rounded. I was active duty for 10 years, 5 of which were spent flying. The other five were instructor duty (shore tour) and a "disassociated sea tour" as a Tomahawk Strike Planner designed to make me more well rounded. This is typical. Seldom do junior officers do back to back flying tours, and it is likely that you will spend a good deal of time out of the cockpit. This is one of the reasons that I decided it was time for me to leave active duty.

5. I enjoyed my service greatly, but, at least from Navy perspective, go into it with your eyes open!

EDIT: To answer your question about hours, most guys in my sqn flew about 1000 hours during an average 3 year tour. That would include at least one 6 month cruise or equivalent deployment.

[falconvalley]

Coming from an enlisted aircraft mechanic (AF, ANG), I LOVE the aviation opportunities the military has given me. I can't imagine, what it must be like to actually fly the things. I've had a BALL traveling the world and getting paid to defend our Country. The way I see it, if you:

1. Love flying
2. Don't mind flying the way your company tells you to fly
3. Can put up with a regimented society
4. Want adventure and need flying to raise your heart rate from time to time

Then go military.

[matt@cfi2cfi.com]

Thanks for the helpful info guys. From what my grandfather (ex-navy pilot) told me, I would do the most flying in the Air Force. I wouldn't mind riding the desk from time to time, but I love flying and it would break my heart if I wasn't doing a lot of it.
Do you guys know how the contractual agreements and flight slot placements work in the Air Force? Is there any way I can get a guaranteed or semi-guaranteed flight slot?

[Aaron_Kearney]

Dude, if you want to know what the flying's like, I highly recommend reading a few books. You can start with "Vipers in the Storm" by ... I forget the author. Search for it on Amazon.

[falconvalley]

AF, ANG, and AFR all want a 10 year committment if you go to Undergraduate Pilot Training.

Air Force does have non-flying duties, too. I don't know how to compare AF and Navy, but all the full-time pilots at the Guard base here in Milwaukee have non-flying duties as the full-time part of their job. Staying current is part of it, but they're paid to work in the building here. They come out to "play" on average, twice a week.

That's the normal life. It's different when you're traveling in and out of the country constantly. I remember the summer after Iraqi Freedom started, I was hopping in and out of the US on all these short 3-4 day trips and would be home for 3 days or so in between. I would get back from one trip and would be asked if I would go on another last minute trip. Being activated as a mechanic, I was supposed to be working on the flightline at home. I was traveling so much, I would get a few days off and then be gone again. In 3 months, I spent 2 days working a normal shift at home! I felt like a King. Didn't have to answer to anybody. It was great.

[Timmypig]

And surely your class rank, and needs of the service, will take precedence over your desire to be a fighter pilot.

What if you're good enough to get through UPT but you miss out on your first choice? What if, during UPT, you find you can't hack form or aerobatics? What if your class only has two or three fast jet slots?

I laud your desire to serve your country, but put THAT at the top of your list of reasons for joining the service. IF you get into UPT, and IF you get through the program, and IF you get a fighter slot, and IF you pass fast jet training ... you see the picture? Lots of IFs.

Good luck & cheers

[falconvalley]

There's no way to know until you get there. Slots availabilty is for Active Duty. Air Guard and Reserves know what they're gonna fly when they get to UPT (as long as they make it through). I know a pilot that was hired to fly F-16s for a Guard unit and didn't do well with formation flying. He wasn't able to fly F-16s but another Guard unit, that has KC-135s didn't have a problem with him flying for them, because he did make it through UPT. There's all kinds of things that can happen.