AirForce pilot

[CUEBOAT]

I am going to graduate college in about a year. I was considering the airforce after. I would be about 24 years old by then. Would I be too old to fly? Also I know i'd need air force training, but if you are already a pilot does it help any? Would they pay my school loans?

 

[CUEBOAT]

thought i'd add that i'm not looking for a fighter slot, rather something heavy like a C-17

 

[chawbein]

Do a search. Search for users Vandal or Sonic Cruzer, there is alot of information out here about becoming a pilot in the USAF. Oh yeah, 24 is not too old to become a pilot in the AF. The age restriction is that one must enter pilot training by their 30th B-day. You also may want to check out www.baseops.net and look at the message board, lots of good gouge over there.

 

[milplt]

I'm sure you'll find more in-depth answers from a search, but..... The USAF will not pay your student loans. They'll give you a paycheck, and you can pay your student loans. You may qualify for a deferment for military service, though. Next, they don't care if you are a pilot, if you aren't they'll make you one anyway. They'll teach you the way they want you to fly whether you have 0 or 2,000 hours. Find your nearest USAF ROTC detachment for more answers - beware the normal USAF recruiter, they'll only try to get you to enlist.

 

[spanky2]

24 is not too old. USAF pilot training is desigend to teach you the general AF way of basic flying ... includes acro, instruments, formation, contact work, etc. The aircraft you fly has changed slightly... the primary traininer is becoming the T-6 vs T-37 ... the you will go to either the T-38, for folks going to fighters ... T-1 is used for folks going to heavies.

I flew the T-38 as an instructor and found that guys with previous experience sometimes had a slight head start in the beginning of training but in the end...it all evens out...in fact, previous experience was a detriment for those unwilling to change. Don't pre-determine want you think you want to fly in the USAF...order of merit determines your choice of assignment.

Good Luck.

 

[Tweetdrvr]

Have you thought about the ANG?

Not questioning your motivations, but with the flight time you must have based on your profile, if you are wanting to fly for the airlines, the Air National Guard or Reserves might be a better option.

No, you won't earn as much money, but in 1-2 years after pilot training and all your assigned aircraft schooling is complete, you would be more than competitive for a regional and beginning to look attractive to the majors. This is in comparison to the 10 years after pilot training you would owe if you went in the active forces.

Both active and ANG/Reserve are great ways to serve your country as a military officer and pilot. There are pros and cons to both. Please do as much research as possible concerning all avenues of service and the options and commitments that each offer and require.

 

[Ih8AFYesmen]

If you don't mind not having a steady paycheck, I would highly recommend the ANG/AFRes. You can make pretty close to active duty flyers, especially in the heavy world. Downside is that your dependents won't get any bennies. Do some research into the ANG/AFRes before you decide to go active duty. I sure wish someone had told me about this option when I was in school. You can just be a pilot in the guard/reserves. If you are the type who enjoys paper work and doing "created" jobs so that someone above you can get promoted, active duty is a good place to be. Seriously, if you want to fly airplanes, go guard or reserve then go do the airline gig. Good luck!

 

[RichO]

Ditto on the guard/reserve gig....I've talked to many active duty folks who wish they had learned about the little unknown back door sooner.....

 

[pilotyip]

What do you want?

As posted above, this has been discussed many times, do a search. When you go into the military to fly, you are an officer first, serving at the pleasure of the president. If they need a station ramp agent at third world XYZ, and you fit the slot, hello desk job at XYZ. You will spend most of your time flying once or twice per week, and manning a desk 8-5 every other day writing reports and evaluations, planning for your next event. You do not fly that much unless there is a military crisis going on in the world. I was on active duty for 11 years in the Navy flew the P-3, I had around 2500 hours total time when I got out, and I got 800 of these in one 7-month period flying around Vietnam. This is typical military. I see resumes from a lot of retiring military guys, 3500-4000 hours in a 20-year career is average. If you want to fly in the military pursue every option, and take the first slot that is offered to you, including Army rotor wing, if going UNS/USMC, 50% of their grads are helo also.

 

[CFIIer]

I was recently picked up by a AF reserve unit out of March ARB flying C-17s. I'll be 24 before I go to UPT, so I know that's not a problem. Be ready for paperwork Hlell, though.

 

[RichO]

Once again, I recommend the Guard/Reserve.........I have no regrets..........great opportunity....and you only have to meet people once....they become your brothers/sisters for life, rather than moving around from sq to sq........the BS is a little smaller, and the small things that they worry about in active duty the guard/ reserve don't give a *hit about...........it's a big picture environment.....Don't get me wrong, we all do our job with honor and we work hard, but we play hard too.........but, there are some things that really don't need to be focused on that the active duty folk get their undies up in a bind about........

 

[Bobo135R]

Ditto....

Wish I'd known about the Guard/Reserve before doing 12 yrs on active duty.... Look into it. I'm Guard now and loving it. Good Luck!