I never logged any PIC until after I got a NATOPS check in the given aircraft. C'mon, in UPT, we're talking about less than 10 solo hours anyway, so it's not like that time is going to put you over the top.

It's always, always better to be conservative.

 

Well the first instrument check you do in the Navy in Advanced flight training is part of your permanent NATOPS record as your initial instrument rating so in my book that is a checkride since it's stamped in your logbook as such. Just a difference of opinion I guess.

 

I have heard from several folks that if you busted a UPT checkride, to talk about it at your interview. While what you guys say is true -- UPT checkrides don't generate a Form 8 and aren't official so far as the FAA is concerneed -- it does give something interesting to discuss at the interview, especially if you don't have any other busted checkrides.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about it. In the grand scheme of things, by the time you are ready to apply to other places, the 10 hours of solo time you had in UPT won't be meaning that much anyway. I agree with the other posts, don't try and massage your record to get more time.

 

I just graduated UPT, I'm heading to 16's, I don't start IFF until june. Until then I fly 1-2 times a week. I also "sandbag" IFF rides, I sit in the back seat and do very little flying. Can I log this time as "other" and count it towarrd my total time.

 

"other" time will count for your AF flying totals in your flight records, but will do for your civilian logbook and airline future about as much as my Nav/EWO time in the B-52 did for me.

 

I really dont know of an airline that allows "other" as part of their total flight time. Stop quibbling over 10 - 25 hrs. By the time you can get out, chances are you will have between 1500- "to who knows how many hrs". And they will be all PIC turbine.

BTW, airlines know not everyone can get fighters so they look differently to "fighter" time than they do to muli time.

 

What Hacker said.......

SWA: "Tell me a time you busted a checkride"
Me: "I never have busted a Form 8 check.....but I busted my form check in T-38s".

My interviewer was a former C-141 guy that understood the differences. He laughed it off, and complemented me on my honesty.

 

I also struggled with how to answer the "have you ever busted a check ride" question during the interview process. Ultimately, I decided not to split hairs...the question is pretty straightforward. IMO, it doesn't differentiate between UPT check rides or Form 8s. I know as an AF student pilot, it felt like a check ride, it smelled like a check ride, it was called a check ride, and it weighed heavily on the "big picture" of your overall performance. I didn't go the civilian route but if you busted your private check ride or instrument upgrade, you would have to answer "yes." I realize the civilian evals are for punching actual tickets, something military guys don't do unless they take the military competency exam (highly recommend) following UPT, BUT, is there really a difference?

Like I said, be comfortable in the interview and don't split hairs. What if you say "no" and those across the table respond with "well, what about in UPT?" It's a chance to be honest and also emphasize you learned something out of a setback. That's how I answered it during my interview and all went well.

 

As far as the checkride thing, no worries. I just got the call from CAL and they asked me about my busted checkride in the panel. I explained what happened and they pretty much laughed it off. That was it, no big deal. Just be honest, that is the bottom line. They know most have dings on thier records, as long as it isn't too egregious I think you'll be ok. BTW, they never would have known had I not put it on my app, they never asked for my FEF.