luke_c

Appreciate the feedback, folks. You raise some really good points that I haven't considered. I have a bit more thinking to do, I'd reckon :)

Thanks for all the feedback, folks. Much appreciated. I did look into the FTE route, but I couldn't find much info on what their specific job is after graduating (aside from reading that they follow virtually the same curriculum at TPS as the pilots do). Does anyone have any light to shed on that?

I've no intention or desire to waste anyone's time, nor do I have the presumption to think that I'll do well enough to pass all those gates. I'm simply doing my homework. You'll concede that it's only sensible to inquire about my options and seek advice from people with far more experience than I do before signing up for a 12 year commitment. That's not to say that not having the option to go to TPS would be a deal-breaker, but I'd at least want to research possibilities before deciding whether my personal preference would be the Guard, Reserve, or AD. If you do think that I'm wasting your time, I apologize. But I do assure you that it's far from what I want.

I'm an engineer, and while Ive no doubt I would love flying, I would miss engineering in the long run. I've no desire to fly for the airlines, and frankly I'm worried that I wouldn't be able to get back into engineering if I left it for a 12 year adsc (although that could be just a misconception of mine). The guard would let me combine two of my passions. TPS would be heavenly exactly because it combines engineering and flight, but mostly because ultimately I want to get into spacecraft test and evaluation, and I feel that TPS would be the best avenue into that niche field. It would also help with NASA's astronaut selection boards, although I do realize it's a longshot and I'd be more than content with being a test pilot or flight test engineer in the aviation or space industries. Those are the main motivators and, honestly, after a few years in industry I do think that I'd feel at home in the fast-pace and challenging environment of a flight test program.

No problem and thanks! In case it does change in the coming years, do you know how many hours a guard fighter pilot could expect to get yearly?

Thanks for clarifying, Magellan. I'm actually not too familiar with the PDSM: could you elaborate on that a bit? Also, if it conflicts with the AFI in this case, which one of them takes precedence?

Hey folks, I know this has been briefly touched on before, but does anyone know if it's likely for a ANG fighter pilot to be selected to TPS? I know Col Colmer did it some years back and that the AFI does mention guardsmen, but has anyone had any experience on how likely it is to happen? Would a guard unit typically let you go on EAD for TPS? Also, does anyone know how many hours guard fighter pilots normally get? I'm wondering whether it's likely for them to get the required 750 hrs before they become too senior to be considered. Thanks in advance for the advice!