Air Force Test Pilots

[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.