Too Many AF Pilots?

[luck4unme]

Have heard lots of rumors that USAF is way 'overmanned" in many of the MWS.

Is it true? Which air frames?

What should a T 38 UPT grad do if he ends up somewhere that he's not needed and can't fly very often?

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[FastCargo]

Assuming you're active duty....

Being someone who had direct experinece with such a situation...

I was one of the first UPT classes 'banked' during the early 90's McPeak USAF years. Having sat outside the cockpit for 2 years this is my advice for your spare time:

1. Get your masters...something meaningful if you can.
2. Bang out SOS.
3. Join the aero club and fly...one of the best deals for private flying out there.

Just some ideas...

Fly Safe,
FastCargo

PS I haven't heard anything about an over manning issue...

 

[talondriver]

I just read an AF news article on the "over-manning" issue. True, the USAF is over-manned. But, pilots and navs are among a handful of AFSCs that will not be issued waivers for early releases.

 

[luck4unme]

Too Many Pilots and Navs............

..................or too many officers?

I keep hearing about no hours and no seats. So why do they keep filling the pipeline?

Could it be the rumors are wrong or are there a lot of UPT guys about to be severely disappointed?

Which air frames are the most "over manned?"


Bean

 

[rainman_02]

I think your rumor-man is smoking crack. But...I'm just a co-pilot.

 

[Ragansundowner]

I was under the impression from reading various articles and such that, while being overmanned in certain areas, the Air Force is still suffering from a pilot shortage that will only increase if/when the airlines start hiring again. Anyone have any concrete info on any of this?

-R.S.

 

[usmc33]

I agree with Patmack18, overmanning is probably in areas other than pilots. It takes time to build a "winged" aviator, and even more time and effort to make a "go to war capable" pilot. When you read of overmanning or officers being cut loose, it may be likely that they're not pilots.

 

[MK82Man]

We are 16,000 bodies over the end strenth number today. Big push to whittle the number down by 30 Sep 03. Seems far off to the end of the FY, but with folks making retirement plans and seperation plans 6 months out, we are there almost now. MPC is waiving bonus $$ and other commitments to "entice" anyone (including pilots) to leave this FY ..... Hang tough and don't jump to help them. They really can carry higher numbers, it just involves explaining to congress on why .... well sir, it's the war should be the answer!

 

[HueyPilot]

No pilots

Sorry, but AFPC listed pilots (any 11 series AFSC) as ineligible for the ADSC waivers or early release programs.

 

[Tweetybird]

Yeah, and we're still cranking them out of SUPT like there's no tomorrow.

 

[AxisVDP]

I just hope it keeps up for four more years

 

[Andy]

It is unlikely that the current UMDs reflect the high ops tempo in the trash hauling world. The C-17, C-5 and C-130 airframes are hauling a LOT of rubber dog feces into Iraq and Afghanistan. So much so that AMC is also maxing out its commercial carrier contracts just to get the work done.
While the pointy nosed aircraft may not need as many pilots, there's a high demand for trash haulers.

As for the current (very temporary) overmanning situation, you have to remember that the AF let those of us who left active duty for the airline world return after 9/11, many (most) of us will return to our commercial jobs within the next four years. The AF is also temporarily getting a very high bonus take rate ... that will abate when airline hiring returns hot & heavy within the next five years.

When you get to a unit, you may not initially fly as much as you want to. Don't worry; enjoy the temporary reprieve. By the end of your committment, you too will be a burned out, disgruntled mid-level captain seeking an airline job and guard job.

 

[rainman_02]

Yeah, and we're still cranking them out of SUPT like there's no tomorrow.

I love that picture of the Tweet rolling out on a four ship of Eagles.

 

[Sam Fisher]

It is unlikely that the current UMDs reflect the high ops tempo in the trash hauling world. The C-17, C-5 and C-130 airframes are hauling a LOT of rubber dog feces into Iraq and Afghanistan. So much so that AMC is also maxing out its commercial carrier contracts just to get the work done.

While the pointy nosed aircraft may not need as many pilots, there's a high demand for trash haulers.

Out of curiousity, how come every time I fly over Stewart ANGB (SWF), I see almost all of the C-5's and KC-130's parked out on the Guard ramp? I would have guessed they'd be used all over the world on a daily basis? Thanks!

Sam

 

[luck4unme]

Good Question Sam n/t

n/t

 

[Andy]

Out of curiousity, how come every time I fly over Stewart ANGB (SWF), I see almost all of the C-5's and KC-130's parked out on the Guard ramp? I would have guessed they'd be used all over the world on a daily basis? Thanks!

Sam

Sam, the C-5s at Stewart are on missions; they're just broken and awaiting parts. The missions are on rolling ETICs.
(Yes, I'm bashing C-5s; they're reliably unreliable).

To put a serious answer to your question, I do not know why the C-5s aren't tasked more. Perhaps because they're A models. Perhaps MOG issues at FOBs. The C-5s are mostly flown out of Rota and Moron and they can only handle so many C-5s. Downrange is even less so. Perhaps Stewart is out of C-5 crews. Perhaps Stewart is used as a staging point for cargo moving to and from overseas. I don't know.
As for any KC-130s, KC-130s are tankers and they aren't AF. I think that every Guard/Reserve C-130 unit is activated; most are in the desert or the 'Stans.

 

[9_Driver]

Too many AF pilots?

Here's some info from last time I talked to the <friendly> folks at AFPC about pilot manning:

Seems that there is no longer an "official" pilot shortage these days according to the leadership. As a matter of fact, I was told there are actually too many pilots now in the mid-range year groups (an interesting change from the "bathtub" they always used to brief...). Basically it sounds that for guys like me who have flown their whole USAF career, there's no way to avoid a desk job next, since they need the cockpits for the guys that got out and came back and now need to check their gate months. Read: do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to staff job from here...

For the new guys coming in though, you're right about continued UPT throughput. They've seemed to learn that cutting UPT production just hurts everyone in the long term, so for now they'll keep the El Tee's coming which is good news for the new guys hoping to be military aviators. Last I talked to my buds working as IP's at the UPT bases, sounds like weekend flying is the norm since the timelines are pretty consistently being pressed.