Q & A Forum

I have been selected for a UPT slot with an ANG unit. I am trying to make the difficult decision of whether or not to seize this opportunity. In other circumstances I wouldn't hesitate to jump right in and sign the paperwork. However my fiance (together 10 years) is a type 1 diabetic and has numerous health problems. She is still young/healthy enough that she can take care of herself for the most part, but I would like to be there as much as possible for emotional support and she would stay behind if I left to support us financially as an engineer. So my question is how reasonable would it be to expect to fly home on weekends while at UPT. Again I would be in UP…

Hey Guys, I had a few questions regarding lifestyle after a pilot completes seasoning orders in a fighter unit. I figured having this all in one thread might make for a useful resource for everyone in the future to use. The situation would be that a new fighter pilot just finished seasoning orders, no AGR or full time spots are available, and the pilot has to get another job: How many times per month will your unit require you to fly on average while on part time orders (I am guessing 8-10 days/month)? If you commute to your guard base, will the USAF pay for your airfare to commute to the guard base every time u commute? (assuming you can not…

So, perhaps many of you folks here have flown upside down in an airplane like the T-6. We all know that the shape of a wing is what causes lift due to air on top of the wing moving faster than below the wing, which creates a pressure differential. Low pressure over the wing, high presure below the wing, inturn produces lift which balances weight. Thrust forward balances Drag backward. Now, when you fly inverted and level at the same altitude- the lift should be pointing toward the earth because the same shape of the wing is upside down. This adds to the weight. So what force is balancing upward the (weight + downward lift) that's pointing down?

All, For all of us Army Helo drivers that are planning on making the transition over to the "dark side", do you know if our SERE-C and/or Dunker quals make us "SERE and/or Water survival bypasses" when we attend SUPT?

I am curious as to how long after I arrive at my UPT base that I can take leave to go back to my previous base to pick up my wife and kids and drive them to UPT. We currently live in WA and either way it's going to be a hefty drive for her and 3 kids so I'd like to come back to help out since I know I'll be on casual for a while anyways. Any answers would be greatly appreciated thanks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Im one of those unlucky persons who are young, in shape, have excellent hygiene, but smell bad. Before you ask, no this isnt a joke. And yes I have seen several doctors and many doctors have ran multiple tests on me and everything has come back completely normal. Yes I shower, brush/floss my teeth, wear deoderant, and have no cavities. No I cant smell myself but based off of the comments I get I can conclude that ... The odor makes people's eyes water; it makes their airways burn, nauseates them, makes them cough and sneeze, and the odor spreads like a constant gas and has a 15-50ft radius. My roommate has described it to me as rechid and putrid. …

I'm a cadet and I was just offered an ABM slot. I was just looking to find out the pro's and con's of becoming an ABM as well as any advice people have on the subject. So far, people have told me that it's a stressful job, there's low retention, there aren't a lot of civilian careers that can utilize an ABM's training/skillset, ABM's get deployed a lot. Can anyone comment on or verify any of these things? Thanks!

Hey all! I was curious to know if there was any information regarding hand signals and what they mean, specially while in the cockpit. I can't seem to find much information.

Hi All, Have some questions regarding pilot slots for the ANG/AFR. Up until this point, I was looking to go AD for a pilot slot if I was picked up through a rated board however; I have decided Reserves/Guard may be better suited for me....mostly that I get to choose which airframe to fly. I just do not know where to start. I am currently 27 and retesting on the AFOQT Aug 4th for a higher score. My plan was to then work with the line office recruiter to prep my package for the next rated board, which I believe is this fall. For the Guard/Reserves, what do I need to do after taking my AFOQT and getting good scores? Do I then need to find another recruiter or is it…

...and put on orders if you are already commissioned and waiting for UPT on other than drill status? I’m trying to find regs that say if some one can or cannot be put on temp AGR, or ADOS, or other types of pay status for full time orders or tech work at the unit while waiting for school. (Air Guard context)

Hey all, I'm looking for some opinions/advice. I'm 22 yrs old, just graduated engineering school in the spring (3.3 GPA), and am currently working as an engineer. I have my PPL with about 150 hours TT (80 Tailwheel), good pilot scores, and I own my own J3 cub. I'm just getting to the point this year where I have checked all the boxes to apply to guard/reserve units (I didn't go the ROTC route because of collegiate baseball). I have gotten one fighter interview so far at my hometown unit that went well. They had all good things to say and didn't have any feedback for me other than they didn't know me well enough. Long story short, they hired all prior enlisted (Crew Chiefs…

Hey all, This will be a little lengthy and explaining what I've been through to get where I am right now. For those of you who have an answer to any of my questions, I thank you in advance for reading through everything. If anyone knows who I am personally, you'll probably know this is me based on the specifics I'm providing. I just ask you don't say anything personal about me on here. Thanks! I'll start from the beginning and end where I am now: I was allocated a pilot slot in my junior year out of AFROTC. I have really competitive scores (AFOQT Pilot 99, PCSM 89, 140 hours, never below 99% on PFA, good GPA, etc.), so I was not too worried going into …

I've been told by a few enlisted vets I know that they have never met a fighter pilot that wasn't a big drinker and all teetotalers end up in Heavies. If I apply to a guard unit and during the interview I tell them I don't drink would that be a deal breaker? For the record I am not against drinking, Jeremiah Weed is my favorite Dos Gringos song, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer by George Thorogood is one of my all time favorite songs, I love Trailer Park Boys and It's Always Sunny. I'm not super religious I don't drink more due to family issues. A large portion of both sides of my family are alcoholics and live crappy lives. I know I have tendencies addictive and pr…

There has been a rumor that if you have your PPL you have a choice to attend IFS/IFT (whatever it's called now) and if you do have the choice, is it worth it to hold off on the PPL, or just go through with it? -Sophomore-Embry Riddle Prescott-about to attend FT/LEAD. Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network Forums

Hey Folks, I tried the search feature and could not find my answer. I have a fillable AF Form 24 pdf as well as an "example" that I found from a google search which has helpe me with most of it. However, section 17 asks for the "chronological statement of service and training in any component of the uniformed services (include service academies and preparatory schools, rotc, ots, health professions scholarship, etc)" Do they essentially want me to put my whole Army unit stationing and schools in these 5 blocks? Or do I put in the first block, "Iv been in the army for this long and currently this unit, and below are my most relevant schools for this pilot gig?…

Pair of truly bizarre questions: could I go to: UCT as an AD 11x? (I get the "why the hell would you" is another matter) I'd guess most of the "well over 30s" in UCT are guard/reserve types like UPT. Is there: a.) a path b.) no path because no one has tried, or c.) no path because there isn't supposed to be one or could i go to: The Navy to be an NFO if I'm already a rated USAF pilot? I know their max age is 26 waiver-able up to additional 48 months for those in the military (I'm older than that). It's not a 1:1 change, pilot to pilot, so i would need their version of UCT correct? probably just have to keep being a pilot right? …

I got hired by a guard unit a few months back, and just went through my FC1. I am still working on finishing my PPL. It's tough with budget and job schedule, but I'd like to finish so I don't have to go to IFT. Does anyone know if there is a cutoff time between not having your PPL and whoever signs you up (unit, NGB, other?) to go to IFT? For example, if you don't finish your PPL within 30 days of your OTS dates, you have to attend IFT. Or something like that. Thanks

Do rated officers typically have the chance to attend AFIT with having to maintain ratings and proficiency? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey guys, I know almost nothing about GoPros. I've just started looking into one to record some 38 flights and whatever my next plane is. Any recommendations on which one to get? Thanks.

For those of you who have experience with intercepts, I am very curious to know what the process and rules are at any given time when being intercepted or intercepting. Obviously is a very fluid situation, but I would think there is a general guideline to follow. Recently there seems to be more media coverage on intercepts (which I am sure is a very small amount to how many there really are), but I think it is a fascinating action. Also, thank you for your service and keeping us safe!!! RT

I will try to keep this short. I set out my goal to become a fighter pilot in the air guard/reservers no matter what. For me this sounds like a dream career with high rewards and no disadvantages. But what really flipped a switch in my head is this very meaningful conversation I had with an old Marine. It all came down to "Speed, guns, and bombs are all cool but are you ready to kill people?". I didn't really think that part through. I was always focused on the path to get in the seat of jet and even though it seemed nearly impossible, I knew I would have a lot of fun even if I were to fail in the end. But now I thought what if I actually make it through. Ultima…

I am a Captain and AH-64 pilot in the Army and have reached the point in my career where it is time to evaluate my options for continuing to serve and fly. I have visited the Air Force IST website and understand the procedural steps required to submit an application for a service transfer. However, what I really need to know is if it a realistic and feasible option to consider. I understand that a fixed wing slot is not an option and I am just fine with that, I love flying helicopters and want to continue to do so. If there is anyone on this forum who has direct knowledge of the IST process (specifically for Army rotary wing transferring to AF rotary wing) your input and …

Greetings all. I'm 17, and a Senior in highschool. (at current, I have been 1st in my class freshman and sophomore years, and was 2nd last year. 4.1GPA, with almost 20 transferable college credits already) I've already been accepted to Montana State University on an early acceptance. I am hoping to get an AFROTC scholarship, and then a pilot slot. So here's the question: Would going to Jump school increase my chances of getting a pilot slot? Or more importantly, would an AF cadet even have a chance of getting in? anyway, maybe it's a silly question. But the only stupid question is the one you don't ask. --TK

Hello all, I've been floating around the forums for a couple weeks now and finally have a question that I can't seem to find very good answers to. Which branch would be the best to apply for and for what reasons? I personally am talking to a Navy Officer recruiter right now and about to begin the application process for a pilot slot, but now I'm having cold feet on whether the Navy would be the best branch to go into. The main qualm I think I have now is the realization I could be spending months at sea, whereas I could possibly join the Air Force or even National Guard and have a closer gig. Then again I do want something more serious than an ANG job (not to berate…

STUPID QUESTION ALERT: I just wanted to some of the guys who have been interviewed/hired for the ANG/AFRC... Have you ever submitted an application package that was less than ideal? I have had my eyes on a squadron that isn't necessarily close to where I work (about a day's drive), but it is in my home state and just seems like a good fit for me. Here are the following issues: 1. My PCSM is below the minimum for my flight hours (34). When I contacted them about it, they told me they look at the 201+ column, and to submit my application anyways. 2. I only have a class II, and not a class I medical (yet). I have amazing eyesight, and have been told that the class I thin…