Pilot Selection Process

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get some input on what specific aerobatic maneuvers you do in UPT? I am doing aerobatic training in a Pitts just to get used to rolls, loops etc, and to better my flying, but I would also like to at least get a feel for some of the UPT maneuvers that are currently being used. Thanks, Aces

Drelyn8, You brought up a good point in the fact that a lot of us throw around terms like Formal Release and people not yet in the military or at UPT/UNT may have no clue as to what they mean. Here's a few terms off the top of my head... FORMAL RELEASE - This is an Air Force thing. You don't leave until you flight commander releases you. Usually at the 11 hour and 59 minute mark, unless that doesn't give you 12 hours till the next days events, then it may be earlier. This usually ends at the end of final contact, about 6-8 weeks into Phase 2. It happens again in T-38's and T-1's. It sucks. FORMAL BRIEF - Usually happens first thing in the morning in Tweets. Th…

There are often new threads that don't need to be started since their information has been covered in the past and needs only to be revived and possibly updated. Here's the ROE on searching and starting new threads. 1. UTFSF: If there is a remote chance that your topic has been discussed, use the search function to find it and re-open that thread. 2. Get something close: It doesn't matter if your specific question was not answered - find a thread that is close and ask your question there. The intent is to consolidate discussion as much as possible so there are a minimal amount of threads discussing the same topic. 3. Disclaimers are unneccesary: You don't need to st…

A place to share information and talk about the FY26 UFT board. With the dropping of the FY 26 PSDM Today, this forum will be a good spot for us to muster and bolster our packages as a team. Expect more to follow, until then - Rob

Before you comment “AFSOC doesn’t let its people go” let’s just say it’s a strong likelihood that they may in the next year. With B-2s hiring this year I’m thinking of throwing an application that way, does anyone have any tips or applied from other units on how to improve your chances for an interview? Also how that interview process works. Lastly: how the change in commands/mission has been for you and how satisfying has the mission been when going from small teams in direct contact with the ground team to big Air Force? Thanks!

I'm currently an F-15 crew chief in the guard. When I enlisted 5 years ago I was honest about my prior drug use. My medical records state that I have used marajuana over 200 times. I was told that because my drug use had occured before the age of 17 it would not effect my enlistment. I'll be graduating in a year and hope to get an AD UPT slot. How will my prior drug use effect my selection? "If it turns,burns,banks and rolls crew chiefs made it happen"

A place to share information and talk about the FY25 UFT board.

PSDM 23-54 has dropped! Deadline: 03 October 2023. Last day for application updates: 03 November 2023. "3 November 2023 (1)ETP Suspense for medical disqualifications.(2) Application Update Suspense: Updates to applications including AF Form 215 data and PCSM scores can be submitted up until this date. Please submit a signed MFR from the applicant’s direct supervisor containing the updated information. Additionally, include any appropriate attachments indicating successful completion of the update (i.e. copy of PPL, copy of updated PCSM, updated AFOQT scores, etc.). Be brief and concise. There is no need to obtain a new updated/signed/coordinated AF Form…

PSDM just dropped, 4 Oct application date. Let’s get it!

Hola, I've heard some talk about abysmal T-38 track rates at UPT recently (sometimes none at all), can anyone confirm? I'm currently in limbo trying to decide between an active duty slot (if I get one) or go all in on a guard fighter squadron that is my dream unit. I'm only really interested in fighters, which obviously makes UPT even more competitive and makes guard more alluring to me with the airframe guarantee. If UPT classes are hardly dropping any T-38's then that's a little dissuading for guys who are shooting something you might not get just based on availability. Of course, even if I got an AD slot I wouldn't be at UPT for a year or two so everything ca…

Good Morning Aviators! I am a senior in high school, and I want to pursue a fighter pilot career, but have some questions. I am planning on enlisting into my local ANG unit to give me a leg up when applying for the UPT board. Reading these forums, i've seen that the best enlisted jobs to have to get close with the pilots and learn about the aircraft would be crew chief, LM, and life support. I am looking for some insight on these jobs (been there done that). Is there a way to attend tech school and go to college (taking online classes), or am I going to have to do a gap year for basic and tech school? What is tech school like for any of the jobs/ how long…

My boy wants to be a pilot (god help me), and trying to get some current information but I am obviously MANY years removed from the process. He has the grades and other resume items and we have been told he will likely get a nom to USAFA next year, obviously still has to be selected. He has a lot of schools chasing him including two Ivy league schools (MIT and Brown), which is where I would prefer he go but I don't want to selfish and want him to have the best chance at achieving his dream. I did ROTC and was the only dude in my class that got a UPT slot, the year prior they had six fall out slots and were literally walking down the hall asking the seniors if anyon…

haven't seen this one on the forums yet and was wondering if anyone has every heard of this?

I'm getting ready for my TBAS retake after doing pretty poorly the first time around, despite some preparation. Can anyone here verify if the baseops link below is accurate, specifically regarding the combination of listening and target tracking? It also mentions an "emergency scenario test". I have no recollection of either of these and I'm trying to figure out if I accidentally took my headphones off too soon or something. https://www.baseops.net/militarypilot/tbas.html

Hi All, Figured I'd share my TBAS simulator (airplane and horizontal tracking) with all of you because it's been pretty helpful for me. Hopefully you all find it just as useful as I've found the flash cards, etc. The main game window looks like this: Download Link: Here Included is everything you need to simply play it as well as edit it to your liking. Use 7-zip to decompress the zip file. I'm currently using a simple thrustmaster joystick and thrustmaster rudder pedals. These both work as needed and were relatively cheap. Full disclosure, I haven't taken the TBAS yet. This is based on readily available info from big blue so this may or…

Good afternoon aviators! As mentioned in the title, I was curious if there was a specific order that would maximize test scores. Hoping to get picked up for pilot, I need to start working on getting my PPL, taking the AFOQT, and the TBAS. To go more in depth, I will be starting full time college in a couple months (freshman) and part time enlisted in the guard. My plan so far was to work on the qualifications during summertime, because I think it would be hard to juggle college, work (ANG), and studying for one of the three. (PPL/AFOQT/TBAS) Is it a good idea to attempt one of the three only in the summertime to give my full attention to the tests, or is it possible …

Good evening aviators. Been reading forums, and I couldn't find specific info for these questions, other than do your best and the scores will handle themselves. When picked up from an ANG unit for fighters, are you guaranteed to track select t-38's? I understand that you can be forced into t-1's from t-38's if you arent making "fighter grades" in UPT, but how badly do you really have to be doing to get switched tracks? is it possible to get picked up by a unit for fighters, make fighter grades, and not track t-38's because there's not enough t-38 slots in a class? I am a long way from UPT (not assuming i'm even going to get picked up by a unit), but I…

I have looked through multiple posts here and have a pretty clear understanding of the types of potential questions asked at an interview for a Guard/AFR Base. One that has stood out is "What are your career goals once you return to drill status?" Why do ask this specific question? Are they expecting most people to say "work for the airlines"? Assuming you were selected off the streets and were previously working your regular day job, you could just return to work at said job under the protection of USERRA. Do they want their pilots to work in a pilot related field even when not on guard duty? Is that how they stay current? I don't work in aviation cur…

Hello everyone, I hope this post is under the correct thread. I am trying to get a fighter slot (f-16, 35, or 22). Now I am at a point if i should seek out active duty or reserves for UPT. Does anyone have any info about active duty fighter positions (such as if there is a shortage). I heard a lot of UPT guys are getting RPA at UPT for active duty. If I go active duty, I know I can score 1st or 2nd in my class and ask for fighter/ bomber track. On the reserves side, I am having troubling seeking a sponsors ship from fighter units (deployed, not looking for sponsorship, or even having trouble trying to get ahold of them). Does anyone have any advice for my situation?…

The new PSDM just dropped today with a 5 October 2021 deadline and the board meets 16-18 November. Best of luck for everyone applying!

Hello! I have been interested in fighters for a while, I'll be fresh into highschool soon, what can I do to prepare and get a slot? Thanks! 🙂

Hey all, Been rushing for a few years and I'm not getting the results I hoped for so I’m looking for feedback on my packet. I know bogidope exists but it's outside my price range. Are there any other services available for packet review? Thanks, WW EDIT: My scores are good, so that's why I'm thinking my resume/cover letter may be at fault.

(moved this thread as I realized I posted it in the wrong subsection) Hi all, I'm currently in the ANG/AFR Hiring Circuit looking to make a long time dream into reality. As I'm just starting to get past the point of my first few applications, I have some questions/reservations regarding the 2030 Form and Questions about marijuana specifically. I find that some upcoming and past boards (which I couldn't apply to in time) request a filled out 2030 Form, and some units even specifically ask about prior usage/number of times on their squadron questionnaire. Having searched deep through this site and others, I find much conflicting information and …

Hey guys. I am an AD OTS/Pilot selectee, awaiting an OTS class date. At what point during the process does one find out their a) UPT base, b) IFT date, and c) UPT date? I ask because access to that information will inform my decision of when to PCS my family back from OCONUS. For instance, if I wont find out my UPT base until halfway through OTS, then clearly I can not PCS them beforehand. Thanks!

The FY21 active duty flying training board announcement was just released. PSDM 20-18 is available on myPers. Search for article number 46264 to pull it up.