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GDAL

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    Unsponsored Board

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    On 5/2/2018 at 11:39 PM, admdelta said:

    Sorry, bumping - I have a MEPS appointment scheduled for next week with the ANG but I'm still trying to send apps to everyone. Should I cancel to prevent an issue if I get picked up by someone else?

    Keep your MEPS appointment. It is "transferable." Just don't keep stringing your guys along for too long if you're planning on jumping ship anyway.

    Depth Perception DQ and Waiver info

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    31 minutes ago, Hopefulflyer389 said:

    Did that change your MEPS physical showing your depth perception was good or does it even matter what MEPS says? 

    Nothing can change your MEPS physical. It is what it is. And it doesn't matter as long as you pass the FC1. 

    Of course, it never looks good to have a failed depth perception test on your med record, but it won't keep you out of UPT.

    Depth Perception DQ and Waiver info

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    Are you AD or guard/reserves? AD it could be a problem, if you're guard/reserves it doesn't much matter. You'll re-take it at FC1. If you fail it there, they will give you a battery of other tests to determine if you meet the standard. I fought this battle. PM if you would like any information.

    2018 Active Duty UFT Board

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted · Edited by GDAL

    11 hours ago, Blindpelican said:

    I am forced to decline, which won't allow me to apply for guard/reserve boards. 

    I declined an AD UPT slot and was still picked up for a guard UPT slot. So that's not true. Just get out of AD and go Guard/Reserve if you want to fly.

    AFOQT Aviation Information

    in Pilot Selection Process

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Mortdude said:

    Studying for the AFOQT and having trouble finding great study information for the Aviation Knowledge section... Has anyone found a useful resource that will actually help prepare someone to crush that section? I have zero flying hours, will work on my PPL once I get home from my deployment, so that route for knowledge won't work for me.  Preparing for the 2019 AD UPT Board.

    I'd suggest getting a PPL test prep book or curriculum. Would help ya out on multiple fronts.

    End of the road - seeking advice

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    7 minutes ago, JudyJudy said:

    Long story but I have taken the test multiple times. They will never be in the same position in back to back lines, until you get to section F I think. I.e. the test is never 2-2-3, they break it up to be 2-3-2 or something similar. Does that make sense GDAL? So once you get the first one right, the odds increase to 50/50 on guessing on the next line. Also look through the circles and wiggle your toes, the doc told me that and I started to see the donuts pop out, it helped me. 

    I hadn't heard that, I only knew that it cannot possibly be 1 or 5. I will keep that in mind. I love all the different advice and techniques there are out there! I wish I had my own machine on which to practice.

    End of the road - seeking advice

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    10 hours ago, mb1685 said:

    How quickly are you able to see the images? Are you able to consistently get every single one in 1-2 seconds or do you have to stare and adjust your focal point for a while to get them to pop out?

    If you can't consistently do them almost instantly, keep practicing. I could never do those as a kid, and the first time I went to MEPS, I couldn't even make it through section A even though I knew there was no way my depth perception could be that horrible. I bought 3 Magic Eye books, downloaded a stereopsis iPhone app, and also looked at every website I could find with stereopsis images. I mainly practiced with such a large sample size to try to reduce the chances of instinctively knowing what focal depth to focus at by becoming super familiar with each image. It took a lot of practice since I couldn't see them at all at first, but I got good enough at the technique to be able to see any image (even new ones) within 2 seconds max. I've taken the test once more at MEPS and again for my flight physical and both times I was able to get through every single row with no problems.

    So unless you're already absolutely crushing it at the Magic Eye stuff, I'd recommend continuing to practice as much as you can possibly stand and then seeing if you can get them to let you give it another shot.

    Also, here's another thing that might be worth a try. When I went to an AME for an FAA Class 1 physical, I noticed that the visual acuity test looked like it was on the same kind of machine and I asked if I could practice the depth perception test (even though it's not required for an FAA physical). The AME was happy to let me give it a shot and I think having a no pressure practice run helped a lot to ease my nerves the next two times that I did it for real. So it might be worth getting in touch with some AMEs in your area and asking if they have the machine. If you're worried they'll think you're a douche for wasting their time, you could always offer to pay them for an FAA physical even though you don't need it.

    Not that quickly. Maybe 10-12 seconds for some. I was in the same boat as you (failed the MEPS test at line C) last year. Bought Magic Eye books and utilized them every day for a month prior to my FCI. Then I got to the physical and actually did worse on the exam than I did at MEPS. So clearly I wasn't practicing enough. But what you're telling me is very hopeful.

    I was also told about an online vision performance program that supposedly helped a boom operator, so I'm gonna give that a go as well. I'm just going to keep being proactive and do what I can to get another shot. I'll see what my unit has to say this weekend.

    Also, with respect to visiting an AME, that is an excellent idea. I didn't realize they utilized those machines, I've always just had to stare at letters on the wall the old fashioned way. I'll call around and see if anyone's got one.

    Thank you so much for the suggestions, and thank you everyone for the words of encouragement.

    End of the road - seeking advice

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted · Edited by GDAL

    5 minutes ago, FlyArmy said:

    Good luck dude. That chick going thru with us said she had a depth perception trainer app on her computer that she used. Have you tried one of those? I can’t vouch for it and frankly have no idea what it is or how it works, but she said it worked well for her when we were discussing your bad news. Regardless, hope it works out. RPAs are cool too...get to kill a lot of dudes and go home every night. Prob not as fun as flying, but an important mission nonetheless. I think I mentioned to you I had some army bro’s who flew in the army but couldn’t pass color or depth perception at WP for their FC1. Maybe navy/army/coast guard could work out if ANG doesn’t?

    I was under the impression that Navy/Army/CG were more stringent. I wouldn't be opposed to checking out any of the other branches. As a last resort, I would take RPAs before giving up the privilege to commission, but I don't wanna give up on manned AC so easily.

    The only thing I tried was the Magic Eye books. Supposedly the best thing for stereopsis. I have no issue at all seeing the 3D images, so I don't know what gives!

    Glad to hear your week went well, I hope to see you around.

    End of the road - seeking advice

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    18 minutes ago, RTB said:

    The depth perception tests suck. Does your unit have a medical element?  Can your unit flight doc give you a depth perception test?  If an AF flight surgeon can state that you passed an AF depth perception test, that should help your case with the WP DQ.

    We do, and luckily RSD is this weekend. I will plan to see him first thing. Thank you kindly for the advice.

    End of the road - seeking advice

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted · Edited by GDAL

    42 minutes ago, jspace17 said:

    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

    Thanks for the kind words.

    I was given alternate depth perception tests at WP and apparently didn't do very well on those either. The Howard Dolman DP apparatus seemed even harder than the donut one. But the folks at WP worked with me for two days, made me custom glasses, the whole 9 yards. That's why I am thinking my situation may be pretty hopeless at this point.

    I have been to two civilian Dr, both of which stated my DP was down to about 30 seconds of arc. Not sure if nerves really got the best of me at WP, or maybe it was all the blood they took.

    I am determined to exhaust every possible option. It seems like it might be something I could work on...At MEPS I was able to get to D on the OVT machine but not past it. At WP I was only able to get partway through B. 

    End of the road - seeking advice

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    Little background about me...I was an off the street hire last year for a Herc unit (guard).

    I attended my FCI last week and was unfortunately disqualified for defective stereopsis with no waiver recommendation. I have plenty of flying experience, but it doesn't seem as though my depth perception is good enough for manned AF aircraft. I was told by the flight surgeon that I was eligible only for RPAs at this point, but that I would need to find another unit to hire me. Any other strings I might be able to pull before I am forced to give up on my dream of flying Hercs? Any thoughts as to switching over to the RPA track for a guy who had his sights set on manned aircraft?

    My enlistment contract states that I enlisted as an E-3 solely for the purpose of commissioning as a pilot with my squadron. I've been gained at my unit, attending drill, getting paid, got my ID, submitted my SF-86 for SSBI, etc, etc, but now I'm guessing I can just get my DD-214 if I so chose. But what type of discharge would that be? Medical? General? OTH? What happens to my security clearance?

    Any words of wisdom or encouragement would be deeply appreciated. Thank you all.

    • Like 1

    I need some advice

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    3 minutes ago, billy pilgrim said:

    I am not 100% sure what you're looking for, but I would say go to UPT.  There is a lot of sport bitching on baseops so take everything on here with a grain of salt.

    If you spend a decade flying jets in the AF you'll likely end up with more memorable experiences than most people will have in their entire lives.  That part has been awesome.

    Either way - good luck!

    More than just "a grain of salt" on here.

    Guard/Reserve timeline to UPT

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    On 2/2/2018 at 2:48 PM, sforron said:

    For Reserves, the squadron in charge of the training pipeline told me it was having earned your PPL within the past three years (i.e. presumably if I had earned mine five years ago and not flown significantly since I'd have to go to IFT).

    I have only earned my PPL (in 2010) and was IFT exempt. However, I remained current.

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