Pilot Selection Process

Hey everyone, I am looking at options to increase my PCSM. I am flying as much as I can to build hours and am trying to get my score up that way, but the highest I can get it to with 201 hours is 87. Although that’s a decent number, I am striving to get it in the 90’s, as I am dead set on fighters. I recently retook the AFOQT, nearly doubled my my pilot score, and more than tripled my PCSM. While that’s great, my PCSM with my current flight time is sitting at a 67. Aside from continuning to build hours, my best option at this point, I believe, is to retake the TBAS. My question is for those who have retaken the TBAS. How much of an impact did retaking the…

does anyone know how common it is to go from being a navigator to being selected for pilot? once on AD do you have to serve out your nav ADSC if not can you apply earlier? Once you are nav qualified does the air force genrally like to keep you there or is it no big deal to switch? Thanks for any tips.

Situation: I was 17 years old and through friends of the family got a Major General (Two stars so excuse me if im wrong on the major part) to write me letters of recommendations for college. It was great and was accepted to the school I wanted. However, it was never me who initially wrote him to ask about this letter for me. Also, as soon as I got it I heard he relocated somewhere and I didn't know where. So many things were going on from my dad having a failed surgery in hospital and died a few times in a row afterwards. Luckily he pulled through but it took literally a year of babysitting him here at home. My mind was not in the right place nor was I mature enough…

I posted a question similar to this a while back and didnt get many responses I was wondering if some people could share theyr fellings on the bat test if they have already taken it, Im not asking to give details about the actualy test as i am aware it has a cloud of secrecy over it what im looking for is did you feel up to it when you took it, where you dissapointed with all the hype surrounding it because it was easier than you thought it would be? did you blow it off and pay the price for it? What did you do to prepare for it. I know some of the test deals with hand-eye coordination any specific tests you know of to improve this? some have told me also that even …

Throughout my training for my PPL I made a variety of mistakes (most of them stupid) that caused me to receive a nice chewing out from my instructor. Most of them were just me not really thinking and doing something like trying to pull flaps out 20 knots over max flap speed. My most memorable one was during a simulated engine failure 2000 ft above a field, and I tried to fly a rectangular pattern all the way out and back rather than just circling to a lower altitude. How often did you guys make mistakes like these during your flight training? Did it cause you to hook the ride? Maybe I have put AF pilots on too high a pedestal, but I have scared myself into thinking t…

When it comes to applying for SUPT what GPA is looked at total cumulative, major GPA, or GPA while in ROTC. I ask this cause I have a shit gpa right now, cumulative is 2.3 and major gpa is 2.95. I was on the presidents list spring 04 semester (3.8) and had a 3.3 over the summer and plan on being on the presidents list from here on out. This will be my first semester in AFROTC. I know gpa is a small part of it but I was just wondering which gpa is the one that counts? I will be commuting a little over an hour both ways for ROTC, and I also hold a full time job so I do not have much time for extra cirricular activity. Is this going to hurt me a lot? Also any …

What format should be used in the resume and cover letter for packets being sent to guard and reserve units? Is there a generic example available on the web? Thanks!

I know most guys here going to the AF want to fly jets or c-130s but what if you want to be a helo pilot - u just don't want to go to the ARMY- how hard is it to make it to chopper school?

Hi everyone. Im in a dire need of some help. I have wanted to be a pilot since i was old enough to walk. It has been my dream. I couldn't afford college after high school so i did what i though was best...i enlisted in the Air Force as a F-16 Avionics Specialist. Now 3 years in, i am finally getting my chance at going officer but i feel like im approaching this all wrong. It seems like everyone i talk to has only 2 pieces of advice for me...1. Go to the Academy (well im 22 and damn me for not going out of high school but i didnt know any better and i didnt go, im sure theres another way) and 2. I have no chance at getting a pilot spot going ROTC unless i have 99s in every…

So I sit here now in Pensacola at UCT (do they even have an official name for this training yet?) and I feel its time to really start figuring out which road to take that would best get me to UPT. I have roughly 150 hours of flight time, instrument rating, 98 PCSM, etc, but a crappy semester from my freshman year is what killed it for me (that, and a brand new PAS at my det for the semester of boards, but I can hardly shift even a majority of the blame). As of right now I'm 26 and will be finishing up UCT later this year and thats (hopefully) where the process starts. I, like many on this forum, am dedicated to making it to UPT. I spoke with my Flt/CC about this beca…

I'm commissioning in October, but I have yet to update my form 53 after getting selected this February. I'm looking for any advice on which UPT base to put in for, any info is helpful. What are the pros and cons of each base, what are some things to do around the area, and are the UOQs any good? Anything else is appreciated.

Hello Everyone. I am a recent college grad and newly commissioned Air Force 2nd Lieutenant. I was lucky enough to snag a pilot slot and I am currently at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, TX and will soon begin pilot training this Wednesday, Oct 1. So, to document this milestone in my life, I've decided to blog a journal on the day to day activities that I will be involved with while going through pilot training. There are many reasons to why I am doing this, but I thought that maybe for those out there who are curious as to what real life pilot training is like, or who may be interested in pursuing a career as a pilot for the Air Force, but never knew where to get started or w…

I was out driving and I had a few beers before (a couple hours) and I was completely sober... I was pulled because I was in a friend car with daytime running lights, so the headlights were already on and I didn't manually turn on the lights and I figured the taillights would be on as well. Unfortunately, I ended up recieving a DUI-minor because the cop could smell the beer on me. I did deferred disposition or adjudication (same thing) and this allows me to take community service and alcohol awareness class and not be convicted of it. When I turn 21, I will be able to have this expunged off of my record and there will be absolutely no traces of it. So, will I have a…

I’m hoping to get picked up for UPT soon. In the meantime, I've been looking over all of the gouge that’s out there. There seems to be a ton of T-37 and T-6 gouge scattered all over the net. Is there any one single source that covers everything I need?

I am an interview away from being finished with my AF OTS application. My scores are 88p 80n and 91pcsm. I will not know if I am accepted until June 3 SO...I called a marine officer recruiter today just to get information and got off the phone with my head spinning and an appointment to take the ATSB next Wednesday. The recruiter said that pilot is a 'hot priority' for the marines right now and acceptance is not to hard to get. I have a friend who is flying t45's in Texas who went through OCC with the marines, what I would go through. He did mention that in OCC even the best candidates have a 20% chance of washing out due to unlucky events such as a twisted ankle.…

All, Looking at UPT base selection process near the end of October. Curious if anyone has any info/leads on the current status of each base's start dates and the possibility of them being delayed with sequestration. Also, considering applying for ENJJPT (decently competitive) and the possibility of a later start date than Columbus/Vance/Laughlin. Is it worth it to potentially wait a year for ENJJPT or is it better to go to standard UPT with an immediate start date? Thanks to all who reply, truly appreciate it.

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?…

Is there actually "officer" recruiters? or are they all the same, if not how do you find one. Thanks ( I live around Philadelphia if anyone can recommend a good one )

Is it possible to go to an FBO and rent airplanes while in UPT or is there a restriction on that? I am not looking to go and practice maneuvers or anything of the sort. I am just curious if I can go and get a $100 hamburger from time to time.

I'm currently a junior and high school and I've had the eagerness to become a fighter pilot since I can remember. A little bit about me: weighted 4.5 GPA, soccer for all 3 years so far including have been captain of my team, involved in student body leadership, top 10% of my class, and plenty of community service. My question is what is the best way for me to become a fighter pilot? I know currently there is a shortage of fighter pilots in the air force, but a navy pilot has told me that if I took the navy route I'd have a higher chance at fighters because that's mainly what the navy flies. Is that true? Should I go OCS, ROTC, or try to go to an Academy? If I got a ROTC s…

Ok everyone so I am putting the finishing touches on my 215 for the upcoming AD board and had a quick question. I have been told in the past the 215 is not an OPR so it should not include a great deal of OPR type information. That it should be written more towards what’s going to make you a better pilot not just how good you are at your job. As a navigator the majority of the things that I excel at in my current job are things that will help make me a better pilot. Well my question is where does one draw the line on what information to include or exclude. Any help is greatly appreciated...Just trying to give my package that platinum touch needed to achieve the des…

I'm about to mail off my UPT application package: Any advice on how to put the package together?...folder? 6-part folder? paperclip? staples? I didn’t see any guidance in AFI 36-2205 beyond the necessary items. Additionally, I was looking back at a post from 2003 that talked about a "cover letter" for the package. I didn't see that in the AFI either...did any of you submit a cover letter? If so, what did you put on it. Thanks for the help. MK

Hi all, Thought I'd create a separate thread from the AD UFT one. Anyone else reapplying/applying to the active duty civilian boards for active duty Air Force (not Reserve)? Curious if anyone else has had any success getting a UPT slot this route. As a quick lesson learned from the last board don't let your recruiter force you to put any job on your sheet other than pilot. My recruiter(s) made me believe it was required to put alternate jobs beside pilot (put CSO as the 2nd choice just to get pushed through). Turns out that is not true and is absolutely not required. If your recruiter tells you this is required just move on and call a different one don't ma…

I'm getting ready to head off to UPT at Moody, class 07-13, and I've got a question. In some of the pre-arrival info I received from the registrar, it recommended having flight-suit nametags before showing up. They gave their specs for what they require, black leather, name, rank. However, in the picture and accompanying description, nothing was mentioned about having your jump wings on them or not. Does anyone know for sure if I can have them? Thanks in advance.

I have been reading a lot of the posts in this forum and it’s been very helpful for me during the process of trying to turn in my OTS package and I would like to thank everyone that is part of this forum for making my life a little easier. I’ve been in the AF for 7 years now (SSGT, 26yrs old) and the AF has helped me a lot. But for the last few months I’m starting to have doubts and I’m thinking of getting out. My problem is this: I graduated from Embry Riddle w/ BS in Pro Aero GPA 3.1. I’m currently working on my MS in Aviation Ops and 9 classes away from finishing. I have 275 hrs and have my PPL, IFR, COMM, and currently working on MULTI and CFI. I have earned nu…