White Jet IP time
 

I'm trying very hard to get a white jet for my next assignment. I should find out in May. I was previously awarded a T-38C but that assignment was taken away by mother Air Force. I'm in line for it again this cycle...my T-ODP has paragraphs all over it about how badly I want to be a white jet IP and my CC has concurred. I could, however, end up in a T-6. I'm cool with a T-6 because EVERY single person I know who's ever flown one has said how much fun it was to fly. However, does anyone know what the airlines think about that kind of SE time? The T-38C would be better, I know, but since it's military flying the T-6 has to count for something right? I'm not eligiale to fly the Tone. After this assignment I'll have 2 years + or - left on my commitment and may return to my MWS, try to extend in the white jet, or possibly jump to the Guard/Reserves. God loves those among us who plan to stay in, but the AF will not be a career for me. Since the T-6 is so new I don't have any good gouge on what the 121 guys think about it. Half of us go to T-38Cs and half to T-6s...the T-37B is gone (unless you get Sheppard, which will change to the T-6 in 1.5 years or so). Thanks in advance for your puts.

I finished a T-6 tour at NPA about a year ago. Most of my buddies there got out and they all got airline jobs. Depending on their background they got everything from JB to UPS to SWA. So I'd say that ending in a SE turboprop didn't seem to hurt them, but they had varying backgrounds and TT.

It doesn't seem to hurt the viper guys at all. Also I'm pretty sure the Navy/Marine guys that have T-34 time as IP's have all done well in the airlines.

It all depends on how much Jet PIC/or ME PIC you are going to that job with. T-6 will count towards total PIC and turbine PIC, but if you want to make FDX or UPS you need 1000hrs ME PIC or Jet PIC that's where the single engine turbo prop can hurt you. However, some of the majors just look at total PIC or turbine PIC (ie SWA) and some have no PIC req (Delta) so overall any flying tour is good for you....some may be better than others....clear as mud?

-SS

I am amazed that in todays air force you can beg for a white jet and not get one...and a medal.

I'll bet if you were beggin for a predator, they'd make you a general!

What kind of Bone time do you have? That will also help of course.

Kind of off topic, but do they still have anything like the "ACE" program for co's to build PIC time?

If, and only "if," I get a white jet assignment I should leave this fall with 50 -100 Bone PIC hours...not enough! If I don't get an assignment during this fall VML I should have more than that as I'll be around in the squadron longer. If I dodge the spring VML I'll be able to deploy early next year for 6 months which would be the best option. But things are so sketchy right now in ACC, in terms of staying around and flying in your MWS, that I've made it my life's work to get a white jet. I've been lobbying for it for well over a year. I'd love to leave the Bone with 500 PIC hours but beggers can't be chosers. The alternative is not pleasant...ALO/UAV. We keep roughly 10% of all new pilots that come into our squadron...the rest go off to Alpha assignments almost the second their 2 year TOS requirement has been met. It's an insane time right now...I wish I could just stay for a full assignment, get really good in my jet...upgrade to IP and MC and grow into being a very proficient combat aviator. For 90% of us, that option simply isn't available.

The Bone lost the T-38A ACE program years and years ago. Ironically, today I heard from an OSS guy that the question has been asked again to get us the companion trainers. Their argument, this time, focused on the fact that the F-117s from HO are going away. For the first time in recent memory we weren't told "hell no...now f-off!" Who knows...maybe someday, but it will be long after my time so I need to act/plan for the nearest threat today. So, I push as hard as as I can to get a T-38C, if that doesn't work, hopefully a T-6. Maybe I'll get lucky and get one more flying deployment, this time as an AC, and then get a white jet...

Good Luck
 

We have several B-1 dudes here at CBM and they are loving life. We are averaging 300 hours per year of PIC/IP. SUPT is a gold mine for future employment. Good Luck!

A gold mine for future employment? Yes. For promotion? No.

Remember: There is "Global Power." There is "Global Reach." There is "Global Engagement."

There is no "Global Training."

Ha!
 

Dude, retention for IPs at UPT is WAY low. Most of us came here voluntarily to build time and make our escape. Last year in May we had 6 dudes pin on Major and all 6 of them were reservists or civilians by September.

Promotion? Do not care!

Survey says: "2"