FTU Question

[FB4055]

Before I say anyhting to anybody, will it will be very stupid if I say anything to anybody about wanting to get out of fighters and try to fly heavies? I'm currently in FTU, doing average in the program. In other words, will I get the shaft, labeled, etc, or would it be a shutup and go fly jets and don't ask agian. Or, would anyone even give this a second thought to see what could be done? Thanks.

 

[Erk183]

I am thinking that to do what you're talking about would mean defying the system, and the AF wouldn't allow you to do that. I would keep quiet and enjoy the tremendous aircraft that you have the opportunity to fly now, rather than risking your rating as a pilot. After all, you can always get out later in the future and fly something heavier if you want to...

 

[CCDiscoB]

shutup and go fly jets and don't ask again

That should cover that topic.

Actually, I think a very high percentage of students, going through a fighter FTU, have the same feelings. Hang in there, work hard, all will be fine. You'll learn more when you leave FTU anyway. Just think how much fun a year in Korea will be.

If you SIE, you will be FEBed. If you are eliminated, you may get to keep your wings after your FEB. As a former FTU IP, I've seen both.

 

[pilotyip]

whatever you fly

I saw the same thing 35 years ago, guys wanted certain pipelines for a specific aircraft and did not get it. Talk to them 2 years later and what they were then flying was the greatest thing on the earth. You can always get out after your time and join an undermaneed heavy unit and get the transistion. Back in the 80's we took Tac Air types into our P-3 unit because we had slots that were not filled.

 

[GumbyDarnit]

FB4055

I am going to disagree with pilotyip about being able to cross train later if you are in the Air Force. The Air Force is critically short of fighter pilots, therefore the opportunity to cross train to heavies is many many years away if ever. Additionally, if you are at a F-16 FTU you are taking up a training slot that is extremely precious. There are not enough training slots to meet the Air Force’s needs. In fact this year the AETC staff sent 7 punks originally slotted for Luke and the ANG FTUs to the F-15 because there weren’t enough training resources at Luke. If you were to ask to get out of your formal FTU training you are really playing with fire. In 99 the first woman that was supposed to be assigned to the 555FS asked to get out after graduating from the B-Course. She asked during the Night Systems course and is no longer rated, but she still has the commitment she incurred and is working as an engineer somewhere in the states or was it a dash-60 operator at Minot.

I am Gumby Darnit