jspace17
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Posts posted by jspace17
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59 minutes ago, GDAL said:
Why would you enlist with the specific purpose of commissioning? There's no guarantee you'll ever get a commission if you enlist. It will be much easier (especially considering your age) to go the OTS route now.
This. I hear it's generally more selective for enlisted to commission and you'll have a certain amount of time as enlisted before you're able to apply. You're much better off going straight for OTS considering your age.
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18 minutes ago, PTM.24 said:
I scored a 96 on Pilot and have similar flights hours to you (in the 20s) but have yet to take the TBAS (scheduled next week). Trying to gauge what I can expect my PSCM to be from a positive TBAS. Good luck and thanks!
Study it a little bit if you can. A couple of the sections are counter-intuitive and they only give you a few moments to prepare/practice. The test isn't something to stress over but I wish I had read up on it before going in. Good luck!
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Thread revival as I've got a question regarding eruption. I had 1 wisdom tooth removed due to impaction, but the other 3 came is fine with the exception of one of them basically halfway erupted. I know it's hard to predict, but impaction and eruption are 2 different things. Should I concern over this? I had my 1st tooth removed around 5 years ago and neither of the other 3 have bothered me. I leave for OTS in March and am trying to take care of everything that I need to before then.
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If you can do as well on the AFOQT as you predict, I'd say you look solid. I've seen people get picked up with quite a spectrum of majors so don't stress about the marketing holding you back. Although extender above makes some good points, my initial thought would be to focus on getting your GPA up and then focus on the AFOQT so you're not spread thin with your studying. This depends on how much time you have and if you're trying to go direct from college to flying. Does the mayor know you well or did you just ask them for a LOR? It's better to have LORs from people who can speak of your character and leadership rather than someone you hardly know with a good title.
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3 hours ago, extender10 said:
You in the pile for this month's AFRC board? (yesterday and today actually, I believe!)
What have you heard for timelines on approval? I was told to expect an approval decision in 3-4 weeks and class dates a few more weeks after that as well as UPT base preference.
I was hired in February so I can't wait to have a date to count down to!
I was picked up for AD. Heard the same about approval but have no idea about UPT preference. My recruiter seems not so sure so I've just been looking up other people's timelines from the same board. Hope to see you at UPT!
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44 minutes ago, SkydiveMike said:
Anyone have any info on the current timeline for FC1 physicals? I.E. from when the recruiter requests an exam date to getting notification of exam date, wait time till the exam date, wait time to find out the results with a waiver, etc.
Can't speak for Wright-Patt but had mine done at Travis.
March 31st: Selected
June 5th (possibly earlier): Informed that flight phys was scheduled for July 21st.
June 21st: Inspect and DEP
July 21st: Physical, had larger optic nerve cupping, had to follow up.
August 14th: Flight physical complete without waivers.
August 17th: Submitted to AETC
September 1st: Pending signature and should be approved soon.
Probably not exactly what you're looking for but thought I'd give it for reference. Awfully quick in my case as I've seen it take several months to go through.
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23 hours ago, Whitman said:
There simply is no replacing the value and peace of mind of knowing you can open up the hangar, strap on your airplane (that nobody else flew or left a switch out of place in) and go fly.
That sounds like the dream. Hope to get there myself some day. I'd love to be able to fly halfway across the state and back just for lunch.
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16 hours ago, bfargin said:
I fly a little Titan Tornado S now and it is a blast. It's a full light weight metal aircraft with only 80hp (Rotax 912) but it will do a loop, actually more of an oval ellipse since it barely gets over the top and kind of falls off the back side. It cruises at C-172 speeds and has 2 seats in tandem and a stick rather than a yoke. A fun little experimental that carries about as much (600 lbs - that includes the 15 gallons of fuel) as its empty weight (~620lbs).
The reason I chose it is that the front seat height is pretty much even with the seat in my wheelchair (I'm paralyzed now so can't use feet/legs) and the rudder and brakes were easy to modify so that I can use my hands to operate all flight controls. Never consciously thought about how much I would miss flying until it was taken away for a little while. The first picture was when I test flew one before I bought mine, the second shot is my plane shot from a friends plane.
This is awesome. Looks like a great plane to fly, must be a blast. Glad to see that you got back into it.
Inspiring stuff man, it's great that you're not letting anything ground you. It's part of my dream to own my own little plane and have a runway as a driveway and a hangar as a garage. Looks like it doesn't need much to land on too.
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17 hours ago, HuggyU2 said:
Some airplanes just don't respond well to inputs. It might not be a problem with "that type of airplane", but rather with "that particular airplane". I remember my first Extra 300 flight in 1996: indescribable.
And now... with 110+ different aircraft in my logbook... I'm happy to say that I'm over 25% of the way to my goal. They are truly, unique experiences.
Not to mention the amazing people I have met along the way. I should have written a book.
I've been meaning to fly an Extra for a while now but it's not in the budget yet. I feel like there are so many different planes that I'll always have something on my list to learn. I think bush flying would be pretty fun.
110, that's impressive. Any other favorites other than the Extra?
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1 hour ago, TreeA10 said:
After 30 years and 12,000 hours of flying commercial and military jets, I finally got around to getting my Commercial Single Engine Land rating a couple years ago. Haven't done much with it other than rent a Cessna or fly a friends Navion around the local area. My 175 hour CFI looked at my background and said "Hey, you can probably teach me." My response was, "I know nothing of small airplanes and will probably kill us both." Went fine other than the humorous attempts trying to find the runway in the flare after many years of sitting 10-12 feet off the concrete.
That's a good point, I've heard about the transition from civilian to military flying but not the opposite. Bet those first few landings felt really weird
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1 hour ago, Zam_Fisher said:
Yeah my GPA isn't where it should be, difficult to get into management in my field without a decade of experience but I do have some coaching experience.
I've found one that flies a C172, haven't found one that flies a C152 yet. So I'll be getting about an hour a week or every two weeks.
Congrats! When do you head off to UPT?
Honestly, your OQT and PCSM blows that out of the water so you don't have anything to worry about. I had a 86 PCSM when I applied and that's with over 80 hours. Get a little bit more time and you're set! You're probably going to get picked up even without any more hours.
The 172 is a great plane and it's what most of my hours are in. Nothing wrong with it, it's a great trainer for the price. I only suggested a 152 as they're cheaper but the price of a C172N is comparable to a C152. If you're flying S models currently, it'll feel like quite the downgrade. Keep it up! Be consistent and you'll have your license before you know it. I kept taking breaks and it made the license take longer than it should have. I got rusty between flights.
Thanks! I just finished my FC1 and am awaiting a class date. I'm hoping for a January OTS date but I'll be at UPT sometime next year. Can't wait.
Good luck to you! Your scores are very competitive so don't stress. The board will understand the GPA thing as we were in similar boats. Hope to see you at UPT soon
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44 minutes ago, the g-man said:
Don't go too crazy there big hoss, with the FC1 you can only exercise the privileges of a FAA Class 3, which for most is good to fly their own Cessna around.
*Caveat, I have heard of dual flight surgeons/AMEs which can issue a FAA Class 1. But if you go out with your 2992 or whatever stupid form medical gives you once a year and anytime you RTFS, you're FAA Class 3.
To answer the original post, if I could afford it I would fly GA more.
Good to know, I only have a class 3 now anyways. Don't see myself flying commercial anytime soon but I'll make sure to get checked out before I do. Thank you
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14 hours ago, extender10 said:
I think that it comes down to wanting to spend the time/$ to keep up the GA flying bug.
For example some dudes in the squadron I was hired at split shares for a float plane between 3 or 4 dudes. After UPT I definitely can see myself spending some cash to get my ASES so I can go fly around with them - there is a float plane fly-in north of Travis AFB every year and it just seems like a cool way to experience Cascadia/the west coast especially after I revert to being traditional reservist.
I think I can get my ASES at Kenmore Air in Seattle for ~$1800 bucks - 6 flights and checkride included, kind of expensive but sounds fun. I went to school at UW in Seattle and Caravans and Beavers on floats were non-stop on steep approaches into Lake Union, it was awesome to watch in the evening.
I can see flying 172s getting really old after flying jets though. But things like tailwheel, maybe flying a Pitts, etc all sound interesting to me.
I've always liked the idea of ASES but it's one of those things that sounds expensive until you see it on paper. I'm not far from Travis and was just there for my IFC. Looking at all different endorsements has been making me feel like I'll have too long of a list to get bored or complacent with flying but I'm still wet behind the ears with just a PPL.
11 hours ago, hindsight2020 said:BL, professional flying has NOT been a detractor from being able to engage in and enjoy recreational piston flying for me. If anything, it has made it cheaper, as I keep much of my currencies from the day job along with the medical currency, which keeps my wallet free to pursue the kind of recreational flying expenditures I want to enjoy with the family. I fully see myself and my wife incorporating the recreational flying lifestyle into our empty nest and retirement chapters in a couple decades; hopefully airpark living long term. To be clear, I would do this regardless of whether I had become a pro pilot or not. Flying for a living is incidental to my passion for flying, not the other way around. To each their own.
That's a great point too. I didn't know about the medical currency but it makes sense since the AF is far more strict than any FAA class. I agree and I also see potential in getting my future kids involved in flying. Don't have many pilots in my family and I'd like to jump-start that legacy
1 hour ago, Majestik Møøse said:I don't have a plane, but an unusually large number of other U-2 guys do. Everyone is dual qual'd in the T-38 and, even though there are lots of out and backs, cross countries, formation, and low levels, dudes still want to fly on the weekends. It's primarily because of Beale's location in the middle of the West Coast. Turns a 3.5hr drive to Monterrey into a <1hr flight, and the fun factor is way better.
Professional pilots don't fly because it's better than their day job, they fly because driving sucks.
Too true. Plus I love signature's cookies and ice cream sandwiches down there, haha. Made my first XC flight down to Monterrey from Palo Alto. Great little airport and awesome to be so close to the runway and the beach on the apron. I've always loved the idea of renting a plane to fly to Tahoe for the weekend but that's a $1,000 rental so my friends and I toyed with the idea of buying a Skylane or something.
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That's what I was hoping to hear. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be like that too but wanted to see the other side of things. I keep hearing about friends' families getting out and never flying again and it made me think "is it really that bad?"
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Does your family/friends still want you to take them flying? I can understand how a small plane can get boring but has it become a chore or just not as fun?
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They say that if you get paid to do something you love, then you never work a day in your life. But they also say that if you throw money in the mix, it makes that 'hobby' feel more like work.
When you're off the clock so to say, do you ever still feel like flying? I've heard stories of certain people getting out of the Air Force or Navy and never flying again but it seems like a lot of people enjoy the career path.
I feel like I won't ever get tired of it but how has it affected you? Do you take your family flying for fun? Ever have planes on buying a small plane? Are the huge amounts of commercial pilots from the Air Force an indicator of a lack of flight time?
I feel like this will be a no-brainer but also curious if a 172 will put any 11Fs to sleep
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I think you're pretty solid. Other than your GPA, your application looks pretty competetive. Any supervisory/management positions would help or if you can get your GPA to a 3.0, you're a shoe-in. That being said, your GPA isn't low, it just could be better.
As for getting hours for your PPL, find a cheap school and fly a smaller plane like a C152 or something on the cheaper end. They don't seem to care what kind of hours you get as long as you got some PIC and dual time.
I was just picked up for AD and your scores look better than mine. Good job!
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It looks like you have a solid package. I don't see why he says you need to be in the 90s. I've seen far worse scores get picked up. The two things that may hurt you are your GPA and your ACL but I think the good outweighs the rest of it. The AD experience you have looks great, your LORs look great, and it's good that you have a little flight time. I'd say to work towards your PPL, knock the AFOQT and interview out of the park, and you've got a great shot at it.
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12 minutes ago, Rycast said:
Reviving my dead topic again. I was planning on applying for Active Duty again, last month. My recruiter said it was too close and to wait for the next one.
Now it's time for the next one, but she basically has told me that she won't work with me unless I apply for all officer positions (not just pilot only). She said she cannot "make me a priority" if my goals do not align with the "needs of the Air Force." I tried contacting Air Force recruiting and they routed me back to her.
I'm weighing my options. I know I can get my PCSM up by retaking the TBAS. Can I retake it without a recruiter? I'm considering going along with her BS just so I can retake the TBAS, then apply to ANG units. I should have my PPL soon - then I might retake the AFOQT as well. But I'm 27 - turning 28 next April. If I do want to go active duty, this may be the AD last board I'm eligible for without an age waiver (correct me if I'm wrong).
If I apply for all positions and decline a non-pilot position, I'm assuming this looks bad for ANG units as well. Any input is appreciated.
That's B.S. that she's limiting you like that. There should be no reason for you to apply only pilot. I'd tell her that you feel like you have a shot and if you don't get picked up the first couple rounds then you're willing to add more positions. It's her job to move your application forward and seems pretty shallow for her to not want to help you out despite your goals. I'd tell her straight up about your plans and ask for her help, not her permission. If she's still insistent, then maybe look for another recruiter in a different town. As for taking the test without the recruiter, I'm not sure. There's got to be a way though.
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Your scores could probably be a bit higher. I'd recommend studying and trying to retake the AFOQT and TBAS. ANG UPT slots are a little more competitive from what I hear but don't get discouraged. Don't let what I say stop you from applying as you're nearing the age cutoff but blow the interview out of the water and you still stand a solid chance
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24 minutes ago, John3806 said:
I retook my AFOQT and my pilot score went from an 81 to 98 and my PCSM score jumped from a 65 with 21 hours of flight time to a 77 with 21 hours of flight time. So 17 additional points on the pilot composite equated to 12 PCSM points which is very close to your 3:2 ratio. My max PCSM score with 201+ hours is 96 so I'm thinking that retaking the TBAS would have little benefit. Thoughts?
Pretty good, I don't think you need to retake it. I'd focus on getting more flight time and your PPL if possible. You don't need to get 201 hours but you're not too far from having a 80+ score so I think you're on the right track
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Yeah, sorry about that... haha. Back to the original topic
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Thanks, that'd be great. Hopefully UncleFunyun can give me some pointers
End of the road - seeking advice
in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves
Posted
This. I've heard of alternate depth perception tests that if you're able to pass, may constitute waiver-ability. Not sure if it'd help much, but maybe you could take a depth perception test at a civilian doctor and take the results to the flight doc to try to help your case. If you're borderline, I'm sure they'll let you try a different test. That donut test is damn hard and not even the best test for depth perception so do some shopping around if you get my drift.
Sorry to hear about this situation, sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Keep looking around and I hope you're able to get a waiver. Good luck