Air Force or Commercial??
01-01-2008 | 10:30 AM
#11
Thx Age 65
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 21
From: MD11CAP
If you can read the numbers at this link
http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html
You should have no problem with the Color blindness test.
Otherwise it will be a uphill battle to get past the physical.
http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html
You should have no problem with the Color blindness test.
Otherwise it will be a uphill battle to get past the physical.
01-01-2008 | 11:41 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
DING DING!!! We have a winner! This is the answer for you -- best of both worlds. You get to serve your country, live where you want to live (assuming you like where your Guard unit is) and still have the civilian career going as well. Boise has a great A-10 unit, and if your goal is to serve the country and kill terrorists, then that's the place to be. Back when I chose the A-10 people thought I was crazy, but now it's one of the most sought after jets for guys going through pilot training.
The other beauty of the Guard is that you know what you're getting before going to UPT. If you really want to fly fighters (which BTW you won't know until you've been doing it for a couple of years), then choosing the Guard unit you want and putting all your effort into them is the way to go.
If you've got a buddy at Boise I'd say start "rushing" the unit and see if you're a good fit. Guard units tend to take care of their own, and one way to become one of their own would be to enlist with them while you're finishing your undergrad degree, then when they make selections for OTS and UPT you'll already have paid your dues and won't just be walking in off the street. Anyway, just a thought ...
I will also echo what many others have said already ... the AF is not the way to go if you just want to build time for the airlines, particularly the fighter track. I've been in for almost 9 years (since commissioning) went strait to pilot training, have been in the A-10 continuously since then, and have 1,450 military flight time -- that's including UPT time. Also, with the world as it is today you had better decide that serving your country is worth risking your life, because no matter what airframe you end up in you'll be logging combat hours within your first 2 years out of UPT ...
The other beauty of the Guard is that you know what you're getting before going to UPT. If you really want to fly fighters (which BTW you won't know until you've been doing it for a couple of years), then choosing the Guard unit you want and putting all your effort into them is the way to go.
If you've got a buddy at Boise I'd say start "rushing" the unit and see if you're a good fit. Guard units tend to take care of their own, and one way to become one of their own would be to enlist with them while you're finishing your undergrad degree, then when they make selections for OTS and UPT you'll already have paid your dues and won't just be walking in off the street. Anyway, just a thought ...
I will also echo what many others have said already ... the AF is not the way to go if you just want to build time for the airlines, particularly the fighter track. I've been in for almost 9 years (since commissioning) went strait to pilot training, have been in the A-10 continuously since then, and have 1,450 military flight time -- that's including UPT time. Also, with the world as it is today you had better decide that serving your country is worth risking your life, because no matter what airframe you end up in you'll be logging combat hours within your first 2 years out of UPT ...
Bingo! Airline or Air Force....do both at the same time. And you don't have to wait 10 years to get a seniority number like you would Active Duty (and you'll fly just as many deployments...which is a good thing).
01-01-2008 | 12:22 PM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
What blastoff and AK Hawg said is true, the guard gig can provide the best of both worlds. Serving your country, occasional deployments, staying with the same unit (as long as it doesn't get BRAC'd in the future) and the ability to fly civilian at the same time.
Normally I would say that you can't get the simultaneous adventure and a$$pain that active duty can provide in the guard, but a lot of guard units are deployable and do so, especially now.
For pure adventure and a$$pain, carrier Navy is the only way to go. I wouldn't trade my experience of boat flying for anything, but I am getting out and going part time at this point in my life.
One thing to keep in mind with active duty Navy also is that even if you do get a pilot spot (which is easy enough if you work hard and pass the medical) you won't know if you are going to fly fixed wing or helos until after primary flight school. With your experience you should do well enough to stiff arm the helos if you don't want them. The Air Force has a much smaller percentage of helos than the Navy does.
Normally I would say that you can't get the simultaneous adventure and a$$pain that active duty can provide in the guard, but a lot of guard units are deployable and do so, especially now.
For pure adventure and a$$pain, carrier Navy is the only way to go. I wouldn't trade my experience of boat flying for anything, but I am getting out and going part time at this point in my life.
One thing to keep in mind with active duty Navy also is that even if you do get a pilot spot (which is easy enough if you work hard and pass the medical) you won't know if you are going to fly fixed wing or helos until after primary flight school. With your experience you should do well enough to stiff arm the helos if you don't want them. The Air Force has a much smaller percentage of helos than the Navy does.
01-01-2008 | 02:28 PM
#14
Thread Starter
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: PA-28-180
If you can read the numbers at this link
http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html
You should have no problem with the Color blindness test.
Otherwise it will be a uphill battle to get past the physical.
http://www.toledo-bend.com/colorblind/Ishihara.html
You should have no problem with the Color blindness test.
Otherwise it will be a uphill battle to get past the physical.
I went on to that link. I could pick out all but one. It was the one on the bottom left; #6. Is that a bad sign???
I did have a problem, though, with the FAA color test. I couldn't see any of the numbers on the electronic testing machine. I had to use the booklet.
01-02-2008 | 07:57 AM
#16
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 548
Likes: 0
From: Retired 767 Captain
Cherokeepilot...look, I know that you are a teenager, and by the sound of your posts, you are probably a smart kid. Several of the posters have told you that you need to get the answer to your vision problems. Before you do anything else, get an answer from a doctor that can give you a definite answer.(1) Can you pass a military eye exam? yes or no (2) can you pass an airline type physical? yes or no. I`m not talking about an FAA exam, I`m talking about an honest to god major airline physical. If you can`t, make other plans.I`d hate to see you spend lots of money and time pursueing a goal that is not attainable. Looking at eye books and getting your mom to give you a test is not the answer. Good luck, and I hope it works out for you.
01-02-2008 | 10:23 AM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 1
From: A320 CA
In the AF, there's usually a rotorhead in each class who will volunteer for the one helo slot per class. Don't know anyone who got helos in the AF that didn't want it.
01-02-2008 | 07:29 PM
#18
Thread Starter
On Reserve
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: PA-28-180
Cherokeepilot...look, I know that you are a teenager, and by the sound of your posts, you are probably a smart kid. Several of the posters have told you that you need to get the answer to your vision problems. Before you do anything else, get an answer from a doctor that can give you a definite answer.(1) Can you pass a military eye exam? yes or no (2) can you pass an airline type physical? yes or no. I`m not talking about an FAA exam, I`m talking about an honest to god major airline physical. If you can`t, make other plans.I`d hate to see you spend lots of money and time pursueing a goal that is not attainable. Looking at eye books and getting your mom to give you a test is not the answer. Good luck, and I hope it works out for you.
I'm pretty sure I can pass airline physical. My CFI knows a few guys that have worse vision than me and they fly for the airlines.
01-02-2008 | 07:55 PM
#20
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
I will assume that you would mean to enlist in the guard unit that you would eventually like to fly for. If that is the case then yes, that can be of benefit to show your interest in the unit and be an enlisted member while going through college. When you finish your BA or BS you can then apply within the unit for a pilot/offer spot. There is no guarantee though. If you don't get one you could always apply elsewhere (other guard units or active duty) or quit when your service is up.
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