Life as an Air Force Airlift / Cargo Pilot

[Gorilla]

CRM for fighter pilots? Good grief. It's called being a good flight/mission lead. Must I now consider 3's feelings before I pitch him North to kill the inbounds? "Three, can you slice North? There's about 8 MiG's low and inbound that will kill all of us if you screw up." "Well, I'm not real commmmfortable doing that. Let's read the 'MiG's inbound in the Weeds' checklist first."

 

[JungleJett]

To LtCol Van Wickler:
Sir,
I am DJ Baker and I would appreciate it if you could tell me what it takes to be an F-16 fighter pilot of the USAF. What classes should I take in high school to help the career I want to take later in my life? What could I do to get in the academy?
Sincerely
DJ Baker
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From: VanWickler Kenneth, Lt Col, HQ AETC
Anybody want to help this poor kid from Cyberspace?
"Vee Dub"
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Dear DJ,
Obviously, through no fault of your own, your young, impressionable brain has been poisoned by the superfluous, hyped-up, "Top Gun" Media portrayal of fighter pilots. Unfortunately, this portrayal could not be further from the truth. In my experience, I've found most fighter pilots pompous, back-stabbing, momma's boys with inferiority complexes, as well as being extremely over-rated aeronautically.
However, rather than dash your budding dreams of becoming a USAF pilot, I offer the following alternative: What you REALLY want to aspire to is the exiting, challenging, and rewarding world of TACTICAL AIRLIFT. And this, young DJ, means one thing....the venerable workhorse, THE C-130! I can guarantee no fighter pilot can brag that he has led a 12-ship formation down a valley at 300 ft above the ground, while trying to interpret a 9-line to a new DZ, avoiding pop-up threats, and coordinating with AWACS, all while eating a box lunch, with the engineer in the back taking a piss and the navigator puking in his trash can! I tell you, DJ, TAC Airlift is where it's at!
Where else is it legal to throw tanks, HMMWVs, and other crap out the back of an airplane, and not even worry about it when the chute doesn't open and it torpedoes the General's staff car! No where else can you land on a 3000' dirt strip, kick a bunch of ammo and stuff off the ramp without even stopping, then take off again before range control can call to tell you you've landed on the wrong LZ! And talk about exotic travel-when C-130s go somewhere, they GO somewhere (usually for 3 months, unfortunately). This gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture enough to give any natives a bad taste in their mouths re the USAF and Americans in general, not something those strat-lift pilots can do from their airport hotel rooms!
As far as recommendations for your course of study, I offer these:
Take a lot of math courses. You will need all the advanced math skills you can muster to enable you to calculate per diem rates around the world, when trying to split up the crew's bar tab so that the co-pilot really believes he owes 85% of the whole thing and the nav believing he owes the other 20.
Health sciences are important, too. You will need a thorough knowledge of biology to make those educated guesses of how much longer you can drink beer before the tremendous case of the ********************s catches up to you from that meal you ate at that place that had the belly dancers in some God-forsaken foreign country whose name you can't even pronounce!
Social studies are also beneficial. It is important for a good TAC Airlifter to have the cultural knowledge to be able to ascertain the exact location of the nearest titty bar in any country in the world, then be able to convince the local authorities to release the loadmaster after he offends every sensibility of the local religion and culture.
A foreign language is helpful, but not required. You will never be able to pronounce the names of the NAVAIDs in France, and it's much easier to ignore them and go where you want to anyway. As a rule of thumb: Waiters and bellhops in France are always called "Pierre", in Spain it's "Hey, Pedro" and in Italy, of course, it's "Mario." These terms of address also serve in other countries interchangeably, depending upon the level of swarth of the addresee.
A study of geography is also paramount. You will need to know the basic location of all the places you've been when you get back from your TDY and are ready to stick those little pins in that huge world map you've got taped to you living room wall, right next to that gigantic wooden giraffe statue and beer stein collection.
Well, DJ, I hope this little note inspires you. And by the way, forget about that Academy thing. All TAC Airlifters know that there are waaay too few women and too little alcohol there to provide a well-balanced
education. A nice, big state college would be a much better choice. Good luck and see you on the SKE scope!
Maj. Hunter Mills






I have seen 53 countries in just over ten years. The humanitarian missions are the best and most rewarding. Then there is the times when you get to bring people out of theater and on thier way home. We also do the occasional mail delivery. Nothing beats a package from home. I took a cold can of coke to an Army guy in Ballad one day and I thought he was going to cry. Then a few weeks later, we took the same folks some fresh sandwiches and one of them did cry. THEN, a few weeks after that, we took them a dozen floor fans and refridgerators that we liberated from a base closure in Saudi, we might as well have come in in a sleigh with 8 reindeer wearing red flight suits. Thats one of those missions I will remember as an airlifter. We did not drop the bomb that killed Zarqawi but I can almost quarantee you that we hauled it to the base where it was loaded by an airman who probably came in on an airlifter. We will probably take him out too. Then there is the spare engine for that Viper, they did not sling it on an external. There is NO COMBAT without logistics.

If you want to experience the world, go airlift..it is that simple.

 

[psysicx]

It seems like the fighter pilots have long days at home and heavy guys have long days on the road. Do the 12hr days everyday in a fighter squadron get old?

 

[Deuce130]

It seems like the fighter pilots have long days at home and heavy guys have long days on the road. Do the 12hr days everyday in a fighter squadron get old?

I would think so. If for no other reason than 12 hours a day listening to fighter pilots talk at each other about how great they are. Unless, of course, you're a Patch Wearer, then you get to listen to everyone else tell YOU how great YOU are. I hear most guys just sit there and wait for the first person to leave so the rest of them can finally go home!

 

[psysicx]

Now if thats true thats sad. I know it depends on the base. Talking to a guy who is based in England and everyday in 10-12hrs. But I have heard Lakenheath is not the norm.

 

[Deuce130]

Now if thats true thats sad.

It's also sad that you apparently don't get jokes when you read them.

 

[CFIIer]

Akmountain & Cueboat- I have just undertaken the 2-year process that it was to get an OTS pilot slot. I'd suggest if you have 2 years left of college to do ROTC if possible. All pilot slots in the AF have become extremly competitive. I was talking to an older guy the other day who said "me and Dan Quayle went to Canada to avoid going, and you're volunteering to". Some people don't understand how hard it is to get. I took the AFOQT in Sep '03 and have a 15Aug class date at Maxwell. For you heavy drivers, if you can remember, after you finish T-1 training, how is your A/C chosen(AD)? Do new guys have to start out on a certain aircraft, or is the the usual term "needs of the AF?" Thanks

I would also look into the guard/reserves. You can be sure of what you want to fly, and you know where you'll be based. I'm graduating UPT in November (C-17 reserves), and I can tell you that it gets pretty stressful for those active duty guys that are fighting for certain airframes/locations. Ultimately it does come down to the needs of the Air Force, but if you do well enough in flight school, the flight commander will fight to get you what you want.

Good Luck

 

[frog_flyer]

How many fighter pilots does it take to screw in a lightbulb?



..just one, He'll hold it in place while the world revolves around him.

 

[Gorilla]

Naw, the fighter pilot simply has the light bulb install itself by his sheer force of will alone.

I will admit that the traditional lines between fighter and TTB has blurred in the last 20 years. TTB missions have become far more technical and challenging than they used to be.

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There is no such thing as an ex-fighter pilot. Once a young man straps on a jet aircraft and climbs into the heavens to do battle, it sears his psyche forever. At some point he will hang up his flight suit - eventually they all do - and in the autumn of his years his eyes may dim and he may be stooped with age. But ask him about his life, and his eyes flash and his back straightens and his hands demonstrate aerial maneuvers and every conversation begins with "There I was at..." and he is young again. He remembers the days when he sky-danced through the heavens, when he could press a button and summon the lightning and invoke the thunder, the days when he was a prince of the earth and a lord of the heavens. He remembers his glory days and he is young again.


Robert Coram, "Boyd"

 

[JungleJett]

How do you know your date with the fighter pilot is half over?
.....He says "but enough about me - wanna hear about my plane?"

Nothing but love, respect, and appreciation for you pointy nose types..

 

[CobraKai]

For the Tanker side probably 60 days deployed with 30-60 at home, and by at home I mean 1 week of post mission crew rest (no work) then some local training missions and probably a 1 week fighter drag or two. Then back to the AOR. If you do get a desk job back at the homedrome, you will be begging to redeploy after a few months because you never get to fly. Work hard but have fun while in UPT.

 

[BamaBoy]

Yes and No

Akmountain & Cueboat- I have just undertaken the 2-year process that it was to get an OTS pilot slot. I'd suggest if you have 2 years left of college to do ROTC if possible. All pilot slots in the AF have become extremly competitive. I was talking to an older guy the other day who said "me and Dan Quayle went to Canada to avoid going, and you're volunteering to". Some people don't understand how hard it is to get. I took the AFOQT in Sep '03 and have a 15Aug class date at Maxwell. For you heavy drivers, if you can remember, after you finish T-1 training, how is your A/C chosen(AD)? Do new guys have to start out on a certain aircraft, or is the the usual term "needs of the AF?" Thanks

MG, I was a T-1 flight commander in my previous AD life, so I can answer no to your first question, "sort of" on the second. The "needs of the Air Force" certainly prevail in what we call the "drop". A few weeks before graduation a list will appear that contains a number of airplanes equal to the number of graduates. Right now, the AF needs more C-17 pilots, so there are large numbers of them on every drop, along with assorted KC-10's, KC-135's, C-130's, C-5's, C-21's, etc. Additionally, there are usually 1-2 opportunities to stay on at the UPT base as an instructor in a T-1, or occasionally a T-37 (or for you class, a T-6). When the Air Force decides it has enough C-17 pilots, the focus will shift to their next hot item, and you have zero say in that matter - as I said, the needs of the Air Force dictate the list. However, it is your performance that dictates which plane on the list you get to fly. With few exceptions, the number one pilot gets his/her first choice. The number two pilot guy gets his first choice unless the number one guy took it, then he gets his second pick, and so on...
This a grossly oversimplified view of the process, but about the 90% solution. If you have more specific questions, PM me. Congratulations on the selection, enjoy the summer weather in Montgomery (at least you're in God's country)!

Bamaboy

 

[Scrapdog]

MG, I was a T-1 flight commander in my previous AD life, so I can answer no to your first question, "sort of" on the second. The "needs of the Air Force" certainly prevail in what we call the "drop". A few weeks before graduation a list will appear that contains a number of airplanes equal to the number of graduates. Right now, the AF needs more C-17 pilots, so there are large numbers of them on every drop, along with assorted KC-10's, KC-135's, C-130's, C-5's, C-21's, etc. Additionally, there are usually 1-2 opportunities to stay on at the UPT base as an instructor in a T-1, or occasionally a T-37 (or for you class, a T-6). When the Air Force decides it has enough C-17 pilots, the focus will shift to their next hot item, and you have zero say in that matter - as I said, the needs of the Air Force dictate the list. However, it is your performance that dictates which plane on the list you get to fly. With few exceptions, the number one pilot gets his/her first choice. The number two pilot guy gets his first choice unless the number one guy took it, then he gets his second pick, and so on...
This a grossly oversimplified view of the process, but about the 90% solution. If you have more specific questions, PM me. Congratulations on the selection, enjoy the summer weather in Montgomery (at least you're in God's country)!

Bamaboy

Same on the fighter side of the house unless you go to Sheppard AFB for your UPT. At Sheppard everyone goes on to the T-38 and therefore will pick from an ACC type asset. That also includes, besides fighters, the B-1, B-52, and a FAIP assignment with some type of fighter follow on.

 

[KarmaPolice]

Eat a lot. Eventually the only way to get you into the cockpit will be by greasing your hips and putting a twinkie on the dash. Good luck!

hahaha! That's about true! Although I bet I could beat you in the mile and a half Beeotch!

And to the thread poster: If you want Airlift, you want to do it in a reserve unit.

 

[JungleJett]

hahaha! That's about true! Although I bet I could beat you in the mile and a half Beeotch!

And to the thread poster: If you want Airlift, you want to do it in a reserve unit.

Or the Air Guard

 

[71KILO]

Go heavies, you'll fly your a$$ off and love seeing the world (even if it is through the window of base ops sometimes). Our brand new co pilots are all over the world before the first year is over and the fighter guys are still at the RTU.

 

[71KILO]

hahaha! That's about true! Although I bet I could beat you in the mile and a half Beeotch!

And to the thread poster: If you want Airlift, you want to do it in a reserve unit.

Quit putting ovens on the planes. Mine usually smells like cookies at FL350 over the Pacific. How do they expect me to pass the PFT?

 

[Scrapdog]

Go heavies, you'll fly your a$$ off and love seeing the world (even if it is through the window of base ops sometimes). Our brand new co pilots are all over the world before the first year is over and the fighter guys are still at the RTU.

Do whatever you want - however, if you want to fly heavies, by all means do it...if you want to fly fighters, do that. Bottom line, if you go onto the airlines later, you'll have plenty of time to fly a fatty jet...you only get one shot at flying fighters in the military.