What is your major? A 2.9 is worth more in a technical/science major than say business. You definitely want to get it above 3.0 and get the best possible recs and test scores (mind you, a quality rec isin't necessarily one from your congressman or senator or other such high vis people, but from someone who can tell the board who you are and why you would make a good OFFICER, not pilot). I know people who got into accepted with barely a 3.0 and others who got denied with 3.8, it all depends on whom you are competing against and how many they need when you get your look.