Civilian to KC-135R Pilot Timeline

[Flyprdu]

Okay guys,

I'm in that lull between application submission and hearing back from the board, so I have a lot of time to contemplate my future. The thought that keeps coming back is how long does all this training take? How long is the time off between each phase and each school?

I'm curious if someone wants to make any projections based on the following pieces of information:

Board Date: 23 March 05
Age: 27
Background: Civilian
Sponsorship: 927th ARW, Selfridge ANGB
Track: Tanker - KC135R

I know there's OTS, UPT, Type, and Survival school all intermixed in the next 2 years, but how long is each and what is the down time before each step. Just wondering for all you pros out there who have gone through it can recap your experiences.

Thanks!

 

[airgator]

OTS: August-October
SUPT: December 05-January 07
Altus: February 07-May 07
SERE: June 07

 

[Flyprdu]

Is that missing a year in there somewhere?

 

[airgator]

my bad. that should be about right.

 

[MarineGrunt]

I hear Altus is now 5 months for the 135.

 

[maineiac]

I sarted UPT in 03/03 and finished up my last certification in 01/05. That does includes a month and a half of leave for having a baby. If you throw in AMS it was 01/03 to 01/05. Plan on around two years.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Anyone know the average flight time logged at Altus? (KC-135)

 

[HoursHore]

7 flights and a check, 9 and a check for ACIQ, I don't know the number for the Pilot IQ program they are starting soon, should be around 12 i think. Flights are usually 5 hours, With the division between you, your IP, and CP, it comes to around 30-40 hours.

 

[maineiac]

just checked my records, 40hrs 135R sim, 46hrs of primary and secondary time, 20 hours of jumpseat, 20hrs 135E sim.

may have changed with the new mobility pilot training.

 

[CobraKai]

Mobility Pilot

We had some mobility pilots going through with us. They get a couple of extra sims to include a instrument check in the sim. Then go onto the flightline and get 9 rides and a check like the ACIQs. At this point the program is still new and only about a third of our co-pilots got pushed to the mobility pilot track. But this nomber is growing. It does add a little over a month to training, so you will graduate after the people you go through academics with. Either way, see you in the sandbox in about two years.

 

[AV8NSP]

I second all of that. I am almost finished with CIQ right now. My Guard unit has done really well with scheduling my training efficiently(except for the 8 month wait after leaving active duty to go to UPT ;>) . This is how it went for me (I didn't have to do the AMS/OTS thing since I was already commissioned):

UPT Oct 03-Oct 04
CST Dec 04
KC-135 CIQ Jan 05-Apr 05
Water Survival May 05
Seasoning May 05-Jun 05

Then back to being a part-timer for me....

BTW, the PIQ (or "Mobility Pilot" program) is supposedly going to be in full effect by Oct 05. At least that's what they are saying here at Altus right now. The plan is for the PIQ folks to eventually do all their sims, and their "acceptance sim" will also be their instrument check. Then they will only do 2 or 3 rides in the jet before finishing up. We'll see if that happens. Still only putting 3 or 4 people per class thru the PIQ vice CIQ.

 

[PureMuscle]

If your applying to the board for a pilot position as a civilian, do you have to go to OTS if you dont recieve a spot, or is it possible to apply again?

 

[AV8NSP]

No. If you don't get hired, you are not "in the military". Unless you want to be, of course, then the unit can see about sending you to OTS to be a non-rated officer, if they have any openings.

 

[PureMuscle]

Okay, that's definitely good. I have to say that there aren't many jobs, if any at all, that I would like to do besides fly.

What if you happen to fail a medical examination once your commisioned into OTS wiyh your pilot slot, would a person still have to serve 10 years even though they will not be flying?

 

[CHQ Pilot]

Your 10 year commitment doesn't start until you get your wings. If you can't make it through UPT for any reason, the policy now is to have you separate from the AF rather than be sent to another career field.

If you're medically DQ'd prior to UPT (ie Brooks), then you would be seperated as well with no commitment to the military.

 

[PureMuscle]

Really.....that's good. I hope that's how it's done. I always hear so many different opinions. I thinking it may be good to have it in writing just to be on the sure side.

CHQ Pilot, what track would you like to fly, fighters/bombers, heavies, etc?