Pilot Selection Process

I wasn't sure if this belonged in ROTC or Pilot selection thread. Anyway, I'm studying Mechanical Engineering and I "heard" that USAF is looking for civil engineers. Mechanical Engineering is alot differenct from Civil. I was curious if wanting to try for Pilot slot with a Mechanical Engineering degree would hurt me. Would they say hey we need you more as a Engineer even though you are qualified for pilot? I wanted to put down some type of engineering job for a fall back if I don't get NAV or PILOT. Then I was thinking maybe thats not a good idea because they may just give me the engineering position. Any suggestions?? Also, Anyone here who got selected fo…

I was recently notified that I have been selected for both an active duty pilot slot as well as a slot at my local ANG unit in my home town. I'm having problems deciding which slot to accept. The local ANG squadron flies C130s which seems like a very cool platform to fly, and it would be amazing to be local my entire career around family because it is where I grew up. I also plan to fly for the airlines one day and most of the pilots in the unit fly for the airlines so I would have a lot of connections to the majors. However it is tempting to go active duty for the outstanding benefits and the chance at fighters which has been a dream of mine. However after looking at rec…

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…

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.

Is it common place to be asked to write the first draft of your own letter of recommendation? I have asked a former F-16 pilot, a former airline pilot, and a current experimental pilot/aviation lab director (all of whom I have worked closely with) to write me letters of recommendation, and they all agreed! That is great. However, two of them said they would like me to write the first draft, and send it to them. They will then make any changes they would like, and approve/sign it. This is a tricky situation, since now I have to write two completely separate letters of recommendation for myself, and make sure neither of them sound similar. I just wanted to …

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! 🙂

Is it odd that the board still has not been announced for Jan 2015? I thought I read before that they have to announce the board at least 6 months prior the board meeting. Last year it was announced on 14 August and the year before was in June or July. It's almost September and still no board. Is that a sign it might not happen?

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…

What are the requirements for swimming with regards to pilot training in the USAF? I can't seem to find a definate answer on this topic anywhere I look. Thanks for any/all the info any of ya'll might have!

Howdy, all. I'm planning to get a PPL this coming summer. From what I understand, the minimum flight hours needed to earn it is 40 hours, but the flight school has told me that can be rare depending on how quickly I learn. They say the average time that people have spent in the cockpit is 50 hours or more. Do any of you pilots have any advice on how to better prepare for the flights so that I could maybe learn faster and perform better? In addition, the reason I am going for a PPL is to gain the pilot knowledge and flight time so that when I retake the AFOQT next year, I can get higher scores on the pilot and navigator sections before reapplying the second time for OT…

I am applying for OTS. Instead of paying off my CC's I have taken advantage of low interest offers (I have not payed a dollar in balance transfer fees). I have about 18,000 in debt on which I am paying an average of 2.5% interest. In various accounts I have 25,000 in assets. IE: stocks and bonds. I have never been late for a credit card payment. Could this have a negative impact on my OTS application. Obviously I could pay off my debt tomorrow but I choose not to as I believe I can earn more than 2.5% on my investments.

How competitive are A-10 units compare to other fighter units?

Recently spoke with the 14 FTW Commander here at Columbus, and figured I'd disseminate what he told me for all you T-44 hopefuls out there. He said the last class to get T-44s will be Class 12-14 here at CAFB, and 12-15 at the other bases. Thought I'd let everyone know what he said.

Hey guys, I was looking at the past couple PSDM announcements for the UFT boards. On last year's PSDM, it said this: B. All applicants who meet eligibility requirements as defined in AFI 36-2205 may apply. However, opportunities may be limited or restricted for some rated applicants in critical weapon systems in order to maintain acceptable operational manning levels. Applicants must meet all other eligibility criteria to apply for UFT. Pilot, CSO, ABM and RPA Pilot Training Applicants: Date of Birth after 1 Apr 1984 (max age 30). Total Federal Commissioned Service Date (TFCSD) after 1 Apr 2009. Does that mean for the last board you had to commission af…

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…

Hello all. I am relatively new to this forum as a poster, so I will try to keep this brief and to the point. In order to increase my overall PCSM score I will need to log at least 5-10 flight hours since at present I am unable to afford the full cost of a PPL. My question is this: What exactly counts as flying hours? I currently live in Japan and plan on going back to the states to take some flight training after I have completed their ground school course. I've been reading up on the forums and a few folks mentioned that dual time recieved with a flight instructor can count toward my log book. Does this dual time include pre/post briefing, or only time spent in…

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 in the situation where I have the opportunity to attend a civilian flight school and get all the ratings (PPC/IR/Com./CFI/CFII/ME/MEI) and then go to college and get a degree. Naturally, I'm considering an aviation college, cause I would be able to work part-time as an instructor to pay for tuition/get hours. This way I would get a Bachelor and at the same time be educated and experienced as a civilian aviator, so if something unforseen happends that disqualifies me for military aviation I will be able to work in commercial aviation. However, I fear that if I show up with 1000-1500 hours flying time and all those ratings, the OTS-board will think "hey, this g…

HOT! HOT! HOT! 190 FS UPT BOARD!!!!!!! Those interested in applying to the 190th FS in Boise, ID please read and pass on. I'm a pilot in the 190th and the POC for the upcoming board for the Mighty Skullbangers. Applications are due by Feb 21st and interviews will be in April over drill. Here is the link for info: https://www.idaho.ang...-131220-051.pdf I realize this is short notice so please fwd this to your bros and if you are buddies with one of the web masters/administraters let them know to paste it in the official section. Also, pass on to your bros on wants check.com too. Good Luck to all Notro AFD-131220-051.pdf

I've been speaking with an Army recruiter with aspirations of being an aviator. He mentionned options of being either a Warrant Officer or a Commissioned Officer. I'm not too sure what the difference is other than the WOffs earn less and are promoted less often. But, there has to be more to it than that. Does anyone have any advice on which to choose? Thank you! [ 17. July 2005, 21:52: Message edited by: BUFF52 ]

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…

Just saw the Mypers announcement this morning... Air Force is rolling out two UFT boards for active duty officers this year and launching a new prep program for bubbas who are qualified with less than 5 flight hours. Good news all around for people applying this year.

Rumor control: I heard that active duty pulled (not sure how long ago) all of the 2020 UPT slots allocated for the ANG. Looking to see if anyone knows if that's true or not.

Hey guys, is it true there are two more boards this year? A guy in my squadron told me that and I can't find it anywhere. I called the boards number on the PCSM website, but it just went to a major's voicemail in assignments.

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