So You Want to be a Pilot...
Congratulations! This is one of the best jobs on the planet! It's well worth the effort to go through all of the tests and paperwork, and a couple years of some very intense (but rewarding!) training.
What a Pilot Does
The pilot who flies the airplane, or aircraft commander, is in charge of all the other crewmembers, and makes sure the mission is done safely and on time. The pilot knows a lot about how the airplane works, so you should have some mechanical aptitude. The pilot also checks the plane is properly preflighted, and it is within weight and balance limits, so you'll need some basic math skills. To be a good pilot, you have to be able to divide your attention between several tasks at once, make good decisions, plus have good dexterity and be physically fit.
Eligibility
First of all, you'll need a college degree. You must be no older than 27 1/2 years old by the time you enter pilot training. Since it may take a long time to get through the entire hiring process, you will be pushing the limit if you're older than 25 now. You must also be in excellent health (see the step on flight physical on the previous page). Of course, if you're already a military pilot, give us a call!
Additional Qualifications
The recruiter will arrange for you to take the Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT), which will test your aptitude for a pilot, navigator, and other skills. Most of the pilots score near 90 on the "pilot" portion, high "80's" for the nav portion, and near "80" for the rest. You can practice the AFOQT using study guides available at your bookstore or library. You'll also need to take the Basic Abilities Test (BAT). Many of our successful applicants also have a private pilot's license with about 200 flying hours under their belt--although this isn't required.
This is a six week course in which you'll fly light aircraft (T-3). It will test your basic ability to actually fly, adhere to checklists, and pass a military checkride. This class takes place either at Lackland AFB, Texas, or the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
This is it--a year of intensive flight training. You'll graduate as a basic qualified Air Force pilot: training worth millions of dollars. UPT is taught at Laughlin AFB (Del Rio), Texas; Reese AFB (Lubbock), Texas; Columbus AFB, Mississippi; Vance AFB (Enid), Oklahoma, or you may be selected to attend pilot training alongside Navy pilots, in places such as Pensacola, Florida and San Antonio, Texas.
Next you're off for two months of training to learn to fly the C-130 Hercules cargo airplane: the workhorse of the Hurricane Hunters (and several other squadrons). This training takes place at Little Rock AFB, Arkansas. After you finish this last school, you're finally a member of the Hurricane Hunters!
If you have flying in your blood, by all means GO FOR IT! Surf aviation websites, and/or read flying magazines and pick up some of the lingo. Link to general information on learning to fly from the Aircraft Owners and Pilot's Association (AOPA), and other sites. Go to flying meetings. There are many interesting flying clubs around the country, such as the AOPA (above), the Experimental Aircraft Association, the Ninety-Nines (for women aviators), and many more. Your local airport may have a flying club which hosts flying safety meetings. Most clubs are delighted to have you visit--come on out! Check out some of the youth-oriented programs out there, such as the Civil Air Patrol, the EAA Young Eagles, and Boy Scouts Aviation Explorers (for young men and women). Another source of information is through aviation resource centers and advisors around the country. |