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goodflightcowboy

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Posts posted by goodflightcowboy

    Spondylolysis

    in Aviation Medicine

    Posted

    Hey y'all. Got a situational question that probably doesn't have a right answer. I'm a civilian pilot, been applying/interviewing for fighters for about 2 years now. I've got spondylolysis (previous stress fracture in my back) that I'm pretty sure will hang me up medically. My understanding is that it's waiverable, but on a case by case basis, with the main focus being on the ejection seat.

    I don't want to give up the dream of fighters, but the Civil Path to Wings (CPW) application came around and I decided to apply. This would skip T-6s and go straight to T-1s, meaning my back may not be a problem becoming a pilot in the USAF. 

    So, if anyone has experience getting spondylolysis waived (or not) I'd love to hear about it; trying to decide if CPW would be the right move or not. I don't want to give up on the dream of flying fighters, but I also don't want to miss what might be my only shot to fly period. Thanks in advance.

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    On 10/20/2020 at 11:05 PM, bogeygolf said:

    Pilot 87, Nav 55, AA, V, Q - in the 20s, PCSM 87, 2900 hours of flight time, ATP, 3.4 gpa, is it worth submitting package or try to up the latter 3 scores? Thanks in advance. 

    If you go to the main page, there should be a forum for "What Are My Chances?" and that typically draws some good responses from other applicants and pilots alike. 

    That being said, good job on the P and PCSM. Really depends on what you're looking for, but I'd say with how competitive aviation is right now across the board, it's probably worth trying to increase your scores. But (big but) don't not apply because you're going to retake. If the deadline's coming up, send the app in! Never self-eliminate. 

    Does Have a Sports Pilot License Help? Or is it PPL Or Nothing?

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    Mind if I ask what region this is? Flight schools quoting you 80 hours on average for a PPL is predatory, in my opinion. I work at a big flight school, and if we have kids going over 55-60 hours then we start to examine what went wrong in the process. 80 hours feels extortionate, but I'm willing to admit it's closer to the national average than 40. 

    As for your question, I don't know that all units that are looking for flying experience are looking strictly for a PPL. A sport certificate or LSA experience certainly is a conversation starter! But I would mention that from my (limited) understanding it's going to be easier for you to transition from PPL to Sport than vice versa. 

    • Like 1

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    23 hours ago, markf12 said:

    I could see everyones email address who got the invite. its like 58 other dudes. Sorry man if you didn't get it the other day, I wouldn't hold my breath. 

    However, Hawaii ANG's recruiter told me today that they are "slowly sending out a yes or no" to everyone and that everyone should expect to hear "soon" one way or the other. No clue what counts as soon, but I'm thinking everyone should have an answer from them within the next few days. 

    Anyone heard anything from Dallas? They told me a month ago that they were still waiting on the final step before the next interview, and that they think they will be getting back to us in "weeks not months." Sure has been slow going. 

    Yeah if anyone else is waiting on Fort Worth and/or Tulsa and has info that'd be great. Haven't heard from Tulsa since April, and from Fort Worth since that "a few weeks" email in mid-July

    Airline Flow-through while on Orders

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    CFI at a 141 school here... my friends that were about to start training are being told to expect Summer 2021, and that it's a dynamic situation, but not to expect hiring folks without an ATP and a type rating until late 2021/2022. I don't think that's a pessimistic scenario. The wholly owneds, to my understanding, got rocked. If you have a job offer you know more than I do, but the Envoy cadets I work with aren't expecting to go anywhere anytime soon, let alone through the flow. 

    Number of Applications Increasing

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    On 7/24/2020 at 10:58 PM, JohnClark said:

    I have to ask OP what are your AFOQT scores, PCSM score and TBAS score? Also did you do the Bogidope application prep?

    I'm not trying to sound hostile or call you out. I'm just curious. I'm sure it's competitive as hell but I wonder if a guy has all 90s on the AFOQT and a PCSM score of 76+ and great TBAS he should be a top 20 select for an interview.

    I haven't been able to take the AFOQT due to COVID my testing date was cancelled. But talking to my state's officer require it seems the average tester scores in the 50s to 70s on most of the sections. I'm also surprise by the amount of threads I see on here and reddit where applicants did use any of the online practice tests just used the books. I wonder if the average candidate applying half-asses it and has all 70s on their scores and doesn't get an interview, while the 20 that do have 90s across the board.

    Again not accusing you just a theory.

    I would really curb this type of thinking before your AFOQT and start sending out apps. Ive got a 92 pilot, 93PCSM and 500+ hours and I probably get every fourth interview. I've been at units with guys who have everything above 90 on the AFOQT and 99s on pilot + PCSM and they don't get everything they apply for. Obviously I'm not on a board, or I wouldn't be having this conversation, but every unit is looking for something different, and you never know what it is. You might fit the profile exactly at one unit, and miss by a mile with another one. As it's been stated above, you really just have to visit the units you want, and cross your fingers on the rest. 

    • Like 1

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    49 minutes ago, GreenArc said:

    Google tells me this went live on their site 9 hours ago:

    https://www.158fw.ang.af.mil/BECOME_A_FIGHTER_PILOT/

    F-35's out of Vermont:

    It states that 30 is the age limit...but it doesn't say that no waivers are being considered. I've spoken with two PoCs now that have noted that they won't hire anybody above the noted age, though both application outlines for those units didn't say explicitly as others do that they will not be entertaining age waivers.

    I'm starting to think it'd be smarter to just not ask if it's not explicitly stated, apply, and see if maybe someone on the board is like, "Hm, older, but I think we may actually like him. He's a long shot but let's invite him for an interview" rather than weed myself out from jump street. I'm 100% okay losing some coin on mailing packages and some dedicated time in prep to get in front of a board as opposed to never even arriving on anyone's desk for review...anybody got any thoughts/advice on that?

    Absolutely man, always get your application in front of a unit you would want to join, even if you think you're a long shot. I don't know much about the age waiver process, but I was applying to boards 12 months before I graduated college. Odds are, you don't get an interview, but if you do you'll be happy you applied. That's my 0.02 anyway. 

    • Like 1

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    8 hours ago, pilotcrum said:

    I’m sure someone would have said something if they heard something but just asking if anyone has updates on any of these units:

    Fort Worth (should of heard back by now)

    Toledo, Ohio (I think they said to sit tight for now)

    DC viper squadron (haven’t heard a single thing from them)

    Lousiana F15 Squadron (haven’t heard anything from them either) 

    NOLA is still sending out the auto-reply email whenever you reach out, so I take that as a "sit tight." 

    • Thanks 1

    Standard Interview Questions

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Broskees said:

    Recently got picked up by a fighter unit. This thread was incredibly useful during my preparation so I wanted to return the favor. Here were some of my questions:

    1. Tell us about yourself.

    2. Are you okay with the possibility of shooting down a civilian airliner?

    3. Why should we choose you over all the other qualified applicants?

    4. Convince me you wont wash out of UPT?

    5. Have you ever been in a fight?

    6. How will you interact with the enlisted personnel on base? (Asked by enlisted member)

    7. What if you’re in UPT and failing, what would you do?

    8. What is something you struggle with while flying? 

    9. What’s more important, being an officer or a pilot?

    10. Do you have any questions or closing remarks?

    Biggest piece of advice I can give is to actually answer the question and relate your answer back to how you’ll succeed at UPT, flying, etc. At one of my interviews, I was so focused on deliberating that I never gave a straight answer to the question asked. Also, be yourself, be honest, and be confident even if you get pushback on some of your answers.

    Best of luck to everyone!

    Echoing CavGuy from earlier, congratulations first and foremost.

    Mind sharing who picked you up? Didn't know any fighter units had interviews recently! 

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    3 hours ago, Yeeyee said:

    Has anyone brought a bottle of liqour where you can only get from your local area to an interview? What are some pros and cons to this? I know applicants have done this while rushing, not sure if it's advisable after an interview while saying your goodbyes and thank yous. 

    Also this can backfire. Watched someone shoot themselves in the foot when they brought a specialty liquor "unique to the area" that everyone immediately made fun of. Obviously not a huge deal breaker like Infrequent Flyer said, but probably smart to just stick to quality liquor and let your app and interview do the talking. 

    Upcoming Boards

    in Air National Guard / Air Force Reserves

    Posted

    52 minutes ago, H_G said:

    Anyone know if this is still true today regarding whether or not being out of state is a mark against you? I know they haven't had a UPT Board in a few years, but was wondering for future reference. Thanks. 

    Tough to say, and I doubt you'll find any hard data on that. The quote you're using is the answer. Apply and find out. Give the POC a call, reach out in whatever way you can. Show you're serious and visit. 

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