G1000

Hey all. Ive got a question that hasnt seemed to have been asked on here. What exactly would be the best route to become an A-10 pilot as an 18 year old high school senior who will be attending VA Tech next year (majoring in business with a focus in marketing), and has 21 hours of flight training so far towards my PPL?

Ive always wanted to fly the A-10 since I was a little kid, and that feeling has stayed around, mostly because the aircraft is so bad a**. But I come from a Navy family (dad was a supply corp officer) and live in Va Beach and frankly don't know too much about the Air Force.

So how exactly would one go about to enhance their chances of getting an A-10 slot? I realise I cant really do anything till after college (ROTC is mostly out of the question since I will be competing in varsity athletics at Tech and want at least some free time ), but I'm still interested in learning about the process.

PS: Does anyone know what the future is for the A-10? I know they just updated a bunch of them to the "C" variant and I've heard that they will be flying that for another 20 years. But ya never know with all these UAV's coming out.

Anyway thanks in advance
DJ

Slice

Your best bet would be to enlist in the MD ANG(they fly A-10's at Martin State Airport). Get your PPL while in college, get good grades, and bust your ass one weekend a month at the unit to make a great impression... The Hawg isn't going away anytime soon. Depending on what sport you're doing(meaning length of season) you may be able to drill around your sports schedule.

shane123

G1000-try www.baseops.net and www.wantscheck.com these two websites are great, I used them extensively while I was trying to get a pilot slot.

L'il J.Seinfeld

How to become an A-10 pilot? Well, first off you'll have to schedule the lobotomy. After that you'll need to get neutered. Then you'll have to develop alcoholism and get a funny nickname from some of your drinking buddies.

Sorry, but I could not resist.

LJS
Former KC-135 Combat Tanker pilot

SaltyDog

G1000,
You have some time, they don't make you a Major (O-4) until you have the lobotomy, You have your spine removed when you become a Lieutenant Colonel (0-5) and finally get desacked when you make Colonel (0-6). Rest LJS stated is true. Good advice from Slice.
My advice: Be to stupid to quit, get that lobotomy early if it helps <bg> Good luck young warrior

vagabond

G1000, might I suggest the F-18 instead? What young man would not give his left nut to fly such a beautiful bird? I would .... if I were still 18 years old and if I had that kind of anatomy.

navigatro

You must be a good enough pilot to get fighter qualified, but not such a pr!ck that you become an F-16 driver.

LJS - I thought that "combat" and "tanker" were diametric. Although it is hazardous when having to take direction from the AWACS tanker controller.


All of the A-10 guys I know are the most down to earth fighter guys out there. Air to ground is where the action is, and nobody does it better, or is closer to the action than the hog drivers. Just ask the ground pounders what they prefer.

L'il J.Seinfeld

They are almost all of the time. One thing that I remember that began a few years ago was the Tanker Weapons School. Basically they had to beg people to go and they made the graduates wear Weapons School patches. Most of the tanker pilots knew it was a joke, but there were a handful of former tanker navigators strutting around with the patch acting like fighter pilots. You just can't find entertainment like that.

navigatro

I can't believe that they have a 6+ month tanker weapons school. What a joke. I guess it is good for pay days and OPR fodder. Imagine wearing that patch at a Red Flag - you would get abused for shore.

I went to the 2 week AMC tactics class - it was a good excuse to check out NYC and Philly on the weekend.

Wonder how soon the Guard/Reserves will see the frog tanker?

SaltyDog

My past women studs said they would have given their left ovary <g>