Smokey

 bzubrod, on 15 August 2012 - 07:26 AM, said:

More information from my last as we are about ready to start 13-XX classes. It was stated that the PPL exception will actually begin for any classes that START after 1 Oct. Again, this is all coming AFPC and 12th FTW folks (now that 19AF is gone). Anyway, that's the latest as of today......

I'm not in the policy making department on such issues so don't shoot the messenger.

Yeah, you'll walk into the flight line a little less prepared for the typical experience but will probably catch on fine I'm sure. An IFS grad will now how to handle stand-up and EP's, GTIMS, familiarity with the concept of the syllabus, standard mission briefings and the like. The UPT squadrons will have to suck it up and realize they will be getting a larger percentage of those that didn't get familiar with the typical UPT environment and adapt. Not a reflection on you. Just a bit more of fire hose affect the first few weeks on the line.

Swanee, on 08 August 2012 - 09:04 PM, said:

I only have background information on what is going on and can't really speak to what CNATRA's final decision will be. They'll have to do something other than what they were doing but to what degree/level they will go is unknown to me.

Smokey

The PPL or higher exception came back into the lime light about 6 months ago. The AF is having budget issues just like the rest of us. All the numbers have been crunched and a final decision has been made as of this morning. Despite the fact PPL's and higher have washed out of IFS, the numbers are pretty low. The exception for those with a PPL or higher will be reinstated for FY13 from what I was told this morning. That wil be about a 10-12% reduction in IFS students for the FY based on stats we keep. In one way, the IFS guys/gals will have a leg up on their classmates that didn't attend once hitting UPT phase 2.

AF really likes the IFS product but had to give somewhere. Interestingly enough, the AF is asking what we can do to expand the pilot syllabus to offer some additional training beyond the current syllabus. Specifically basic formation and instrument familiarization believe it or not. More to come on that when/if it occurs.

I didn't mention CSO's or RPA's because I didn't get an answer to that question. I don't know if the exception will be applied to those categories at this time. We'll all have to wait and read it in print in the near future.

Smokey

 MattS, on 03 August 2012 - 11:58 AM, said:

Sorry, been at Sturgis. Anyway, exceptions to IFS went away except for a few distinct instances which I won't go into. In any event, the AF values the training received at IFS to such a degree that all exceptions for private licenses was rescinded about 3 years ago. I doubt it will change.

Smokey

The long post above was spot on! For those beginning the process, read and heed!

For the IFS naysayers, want to tell me why CNATRA was here for the last two days....... Guess why the Navy's "screening" program has been canx? It doesn't screen or train anyone to the standards of the next level. Whatever those might be in the Navy.

Navy basically has had to sh*t a lot of money to keep the existing program (FBO's) running from other funds until a replacement is in place. Came about recently, so the current system will be probably operational through FY 2013, then, guess what, a real IFS program has been directed to be in place.

Smokey