Life as an Air Force Airlift / Cargo Pilot

[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.