Air Force Test Pilots

[Joshrk22]

I already used the search function and nothing came up, so here I go..

Anybody know exactly what the steps are needed to become a test pilot?

I have recently been accepted to the Air Force Academy and the University of Michigan. I've decided to turn down the Air Force Academy because 1.) I want to attend the University of Michigan, 2.) I don't think I'd have too much trouble getting a slot through AFROTC, 3.) I want a normal college life. So anyway, I will be attending UofM and double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

How exactly do you go about getting a test pilot slot? I'm guessing you do the normal route, UPT, graduate, fly for a couple years and perform to a top-notch level, and then what? Do you apply for it? Has anybody on here been down that road?

Also, my instructor's son-in-law is currently a test pilot. He went to the Zoo, so my question is, do USAFA grads have a higher chance of going on to be test pilots?

Finally, how tough is it to get an ENJJPT slot? I heard be first or second in your commander's ranking, test high in everything else, and you should pretty much be guaranteed a slot.

 

[stonewall]

Good luck at Michigan. Looks like we're fat on pilots right now, but hopefully it'll turn around by the time you graduate. When I graduated from college, ROTC got 100 slots nation-wide.

I went to ENJJPT, but the selection criteria is different for ROTC and USAFA. Nothing is ever guaranteed in the military, though.

It's good to have goals, but I wouldn't worry too much about TPS (Test Pilot School) right now. One of my best buds is a TPS Grad. He was a very solid pilot (F-16s and then F-117 Weapons School Grad), had a 3.96 GPA in Astro Engineering from USAFA, a Master's (required), and did well at everything. He was turned down the first time.

Do some more research. DT (Developmental Test...what TPS grads do) is not that exciting, and it ain't like the Yeager days. It's very non-tactical and often repetitive. I was an OT (Operational Test) pilot for 3+ years and it was very fun and rewarding. Of course, that didn't require a TPS graduate.

Anyway, good luck.

 

[NewmanF16]

You need to have an engineering degree, be a pilot, have good recs from your chain of command and apply. I believe they have a board every year.

I don't blame you for going to UofM, but you are taking a chance (albiet a small one) that you won't go to UPT. Your odds are always higher going to the academy. I graduated in 91, and only academy grads went to UPT that year. Once you graduate, however, it will have little impact on the rest of your career, unless you want to get assigned back there.

 

[PisforProperty]

Try the other parts of the internet too. Type "air force test pilot school" into google, click "I'm Feeling Lucky" and see what happens.

Also, my instructor's son-in-law is currently a test pilot. He went to the Zoo, so my question is, do USAFA grads have a higher chance of going on to be test pilots?

See if you can ask this guy too. But kind of like Magnum said, first things first. Concentrate on getting your degree, staying healthy, staying out of trouble and getting your pilot slot. If you do well at those, opportunities like going to TPS may present themselves down the road.

 

[Joshrk22]

Thanks guys. I know that I am taking a chance by turning down the Academy but I went out there for the Summer Seminar and some of the kids were whack.

My dad has talked to me about turning down the USAFA because it is an excellent college and he wants to make sure that I don't regret giving up that opportunity. Like I said, I'm a pretty intelligent, athletic person, so I don't think I'd have too tough of a time getting a slot. The cadre down at UofM said only one person who has applied for a slot in the last couple years hasn't received one and that was because he went to EMU and he had a 2.6 GPA, so they have a pretty good track record. I suppose they could just be saying that, though.

Sounds like for now I need to just take small steps and worry about getting through college/ROTC.

The reason I turned down the Academy is because I want that normal college life. I know both colleges have excellent engineering majors so I'm not really losing or gaining anything there.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[stonewall]

but I went out there for the Summer Seminar and some of the kids were whack.

I'm sure there are no whack kids at Michigan.


You might be the smartest, most athletic, and best looking guy in the Midwest, but that won't help you get a UPT slot if there are none to be had. That's all we're saying...if the pool dries up, it will affect the USAFA grads least.

 

[hindsight2020]

I had the exact same plan you had going into college. Aero Engineering major, mil pilot aspirations, figured 2+2 so TPS makes absolute sense..... then I went through 5 years of engineering and the morning fog cleared lol. I went on to get a Master's on the same, but at that point it was a delay tactic more than any aspirations of TPS.

If you want an analogy it's kinda like those people who want to become astronauts. It sounds good on paper but once you peel the onion you realize the amount of work and time that has to be invested for a job that's not quite like you think it is, and odds that are not quite in your control...although at least at TPS you don't need a phD just to get to wear diapers (tc)

For my money, mileage may vary, but magnum's take on it is as good as gospel from my perspective. The day to day of the TPS grad is actually quite non-tactical (yep it's not 1965 alright). Just like modern-day engineering, modern day DT is a far cry from the 50s and 60s, and a lot of research is computer modeled nowadays, that will be evidenced in the heavy emphasis your engineering curriculum at UM will be on coding-based work regardless of type of engineering. Only having anecdotal evidence from FCF folks, I'd say OT is more of what I thought TPS work was like. So food for thought there.

Congrats on UM, decent school; work hard, keep the GPA up even if it means dropping one major, and do yourself a favor and party like a rock star. If you do that you'll have a decent shot at getting a pilot slot through ROTC. Like others have said, don't worry so much about TPS or attaining a particular career track, you have so many years ahead of you I almost guarantee you your perspectives in life will shift and mold as you go along, I know mine did. Good luck man.

 

[Joshrk22]

I'm sure there are no whack kids at Michigan.

Haha, well I won't disagree with you there. I think any moderately smart school is going to have it's fair share of eccentric kids.

You might be the smartest, most athletic, and best looking guy in the Midwest, but that won't help you get a UPT slot if there are none to be had. That's all we're saying...if the pool dries up, it will affect the USAFA grads least.

Understandable. Luck of the draw..

 

[Joshrk22]

Thanks hindsight2020 and Magnum, you guys have really opened my eyes about the whole TPS gig.

 

[coho92]

Congrats - my folks (UofM grads)were close to upset that I chose the academy over UofM. Pops felt that while the academies are good solid schools they tend to create rather right wingish drones that fear questioning the system while a good liberal school like Michigan produces a more well rounded officer. Like the posts above say, the key is good grades and a strong major - have had some friends say it is hard to get a pilot slot as an engineering major since the military is so short of them. Follow the dream, look into the other services, guard, reserve, etc., and most importantly enjoy life
my2cents

 

[bssthound]

:laugh:

at least at TPS you don't need a phD just to get to wear diapers (tc)

:laugh:



My unit was one of the very first to convert to the C-130J. We have had a lot of few different test pilots flying with us since about '99/00. Good guys all, but they echo what these guys are telling you. A LOT of hard work and not as much "fun" flying as the old days. That being said, you gotta do what YOU wanna do; don't take anyone else's word about anything in your plans unless that person has worn a military flight suit. Too many "know it alls" who never quite got around to actually going to work in a military cockpit.

Work hard and keep your nose clean!! The days of DUIs and other arrests being swept under the rug are over.

I'm wishing you the very best of fortune, you're obviously ambitious and I hope you chew it up!!

 

[DaveGriffin]

I know that I am taking a chance by turning down the Academy but I went out there for the Summer Seminar and some of the kids were whack.

Amen, brother.

 

[stonewall]

Amen, brother.

You should've seen the kids we turned away...I'm sure a few ended up at USNA. Me and most of the guys I knew at USAFA used the Naval Academy and West Point as our "safety schools" when sending out apps.

 

[Oh-ryan]

You need to have an engineering degree, be a pilot, have good recs from your chain of command and apply. I believe they have a board every year.

I don't blame you for going to UofM, but you are taking a chance (albiet a small one) that you won't go to UPT. Your odds are always higher going to the academy. I graduated in 91, and only academy grads went to UPT that year. Once you graduate, however, it will have little impact on the rest of your career, unless you want to get assigned back there.

Best advice yet on the subject. Go Blue, unless money is tight and you want to save yourself (or your parents) some scratch. The USAFA will take it out of your a$$ a nickel at a time though (just like the rest of the service academies).

Or, for best results, go to Appalachian State!

 

[Joshrk22]

Best advice yet on the subject. Go Blue, unless money is tight and you want to save yourself (or your parents) some scratch. The USAFA will take it out of your a$$ a nickel at a time though (just like the rest of the service academies).

Or, for best results, go to Appalachian State!

Haha, thanks! Yah, Umich's athletic teams suck this year...

Then again, their basketball team isn't very good period.

 

[HoursHore]

Go blue, Go Rotc. you will not regret it.

 

[DaveGriffin]

It looks like Joshrk22 will be class of '12. So is it reasonable to expect that if he works hard and his aspirations line up with the AF's needs, he would be a test pilot 10 years or so from now, in 2018?

If that is correct I am curious, what exactly would an AF test pilot's duties be in 2018? Do you expect there will be enough manned airplanes operational and in the development pipeline to support a test pilot program?

As for AFROTC, I have a good friend whose son graduated UVA AFROTC last year, class of '07. Due to recent F-22 triggered manning cutbacks, the AF released quite a few of the graduates from their obligation. It was considered a good deal by many of the grads, free education and no obligation.

 

[Huggyu2]

If that is correct I am curious, what exactly would an AF test pilot's duties be in 2018?

I would not limit that statemeny to just "AF test pilot duties". Will Pax River stay busy too?

Interesting comment on ROTC, and how the F-22 budget has reached out and touched even a commissioning source. In years past, the the USAF allowed cadets to leave, but made them pay back their scholarships.

 

[stonewall]

Due to recent F-22 triggered manning cutbacks, the AF released quite a few of the graduates from their obligation.

What evidence to have to support the claim that manning cutbacks were triggered solely by the F-22?

The JSF will start bedding down in 2014. AF Test Pilots fly other airplanes besides fighters. There will be plenty of work to be done...unless you think manned flight will be over altogether in the future?

 

[Jafar]

I want a normal college life.

... and double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Physics.

You realize these two statements aren't very consistent with one another, I hope.

Not to dissuade you, got for it. Just know what you're getting into.

Halfway through college I switched from a bogus major (PoliSci) to a real major (Math) and the quality of my lifestyle went down about a thousand percent. You wanna talk about weird kids? Wait till you get into those upper level physics classes. You'll redefine "whack" on an hourly basis.

I know now that I would have gotten the slot I got with the poli-sci degree. However I wouldn't do anything different because going the tech route made me far more analytical, which I see as a good thing.

If you like the tech stuff, go for it. Just realize that its an ass kicker just to major in one tech subject. Also keep in mind that a good GPA in one major is going to look better than a low one in two majors.

Good luck.