?? About Guard Flight Training
 

I have recently found out that my local base is going to start taking applications for undergraduate flight training for the fiscal year 2008. This will make me 27 when it starts. From what I gather it is 2 years of flight training followed by the "typical" one weekend a month two weeks a year commitment schedule.

Has anyone taken this route? Any advice? I have just started working on my PPL which the recruiter says will help. Anything else I can do?

Depending on the unit you join, you are very likely to do more than 1 weekend/2 weeks. Plus you might get mobilized.

As much flight experience and ratings as you can get, especially CFI if you can get that far. Since they are hiring you to be an officer as well as a pilot, leadership (in any aspect of life), athletics, and advanced education can also help. Maybe join CAP. Stay out of trouble, don't get any DUI's, minimize traffic tickets. Good Luck.

I was under the impression that 26 was the max age for undergraduate pilot training for the military...

^^30 for the Air national guard, I think it might be the same for active duty to.

You must start UPT by your 30th birthday. The rules are the same for the ANG and AF. If you are speaking of a fighter unit, you will be there ALOT more than one weekend a month! Heavies less, but definitely more than that as well.

Yeah, I am expecting to be there about 100 days a year, not the "usual" 38.

Seriously? The max age is 30? Is there somewhere I can confirm that?

That could have a big impact on my future plans...

http://www.state.nj.us/military/air/requirments.htm

Read down about a half page where it says you must start UPT by 30. This is a NJ ANG page, but I'm sure it applies to all of them.

Possibly waiverable to early thirties, esp with prior military service. But this changes all the time, so you'd need to check with a recruiter.

The "war on terror" has caused a mass exoudous from military service. The Air Force is hurting for pilots so bad that almost anything is waiverable ie age, blindness, felony convictions:rolleyes:

You could could have an old, saggy, gray pair of ba**s , but if you work your contacts, you may find yourself as a 2Lt standing at attention spouting off boldface during a formal brief during Air Force pilot training!

:D Thanks for the mental visual aid... :p

I'm currently in IERW with the Army and there is an LT that is in his late thirties. Also, lots of warrants that are in their late 20's and early 30's. Food for thought. This war keeps on going, my grandpa might just sign up again!!

Armed Services and PRK
 

I know for awhile you couldn't fly for the armed services without 20/20; I've read a couple of rickair's posts and now apparantly you can for some of the armed services with PRK.

Anyone ever have this done? I remember reading here that if something goes wrong with PRK you may not get down to 20/20, and then not only can you not fly for the military, but can't even get a 1st class medical.

Basically, I wouldn't want to sign my name on the dotted line, and find out PRK can only correct me to 20/30. Does anyone who's had it done have an idea of how well it works? What about halos, glare, etc?

Thanks in advance,
Rich

^ A good question and something I'd also like to know the definative answer on.

These guys have a lot of medical info for pilots. A lot of airline guys use them. Search for the vision stuff.

http://www.aviationmedicine.com/