I think what he meant was that it's pretty difficult for a fighter guy to get to 2000 in 10 years, you're far more likely to have way less. And getting to 3000....probably not going to happen unless you count UAV hours logged.

As for heavies, obviously depends on the community but we don't exactly fly our asses off for years on end either. There's a lot of non flying assignments out there.

So, in sum, you're right, in the AF we don't pile on hours. However we do get some quality time.

The average total time of military guys in my DAL new hire class was around 2700.

Average for civilians: well over 6,000.

You won't get as many hours in the AF as you will as a civilian, but you won't need as many to get hired, either. My friends at SWA, UAL, UPS, CAL, NetJets...all had less than 3,000 hours of mil heavy time.

USAF age limit is 30 but I have seen at least three guys with waivers.

Now would be a great time to go guard, especially if you want to track 38's. Right now most bases are dropping 1 maybe 2 38's per class (out of ~25 people). Not to mention UAV's will be coming to a drop near you!

I don't think that at all. I know of guys who are tagging 1,000 hours on their FIRST TOUR, thanks to two or so trips to OIF. OEF sorties are less, but still adding do fighter guys' logbooks much faster than your standard 1.5 trips around the home 'drome.

Im a bum in the reserves and I am consistently getting about 400 hours a year...Pretty sure that's below what active duty guys are racking up over in the desert.

That's awesome man. Keep in mind I'm in a wing with C's and Raptors....i.e. guys who ain't going to the desert and ain't racking up the hours you are. Still, good to know you all get that much.

Throwing no darts, but I'd guess as a reservist you aren't spending much time doing non-flying 120s to the CAOC, writing OPRs/EPRs/Award packages, prepping ten million mobility folders, getting your masters, doing SOS in correspondance so you can go in residence, doing ACSC in correspondace you so can go in residence, non flying staff tours, etc.

In the 02-05 time frame our new copilots usually got 1000 their first year. It's easy to get 400 hours a year, it's not so easy to do that year in year out for a decade.

Though I'm happy to say I've done it. So my semi-smartassness aside you're right, it's possible.

No darts here either, but the reason I joined the reserves was so I didn't have to do all that crap!

One must remember, for the Navy, their needs come first. You might finish top of your squadron and put Tailhook as your first choice but there are no Tailhook (read jets) slots. Guess what, not getting jets. About 45-50% of all Navy pilots are helo pilots. About 75% of all MC pilots are helo pilots. Something to consider.

Hey Vandal -

What aircraft are you bumming around the reserves in:eek:? In my community - 400 hrs a year is nearly impossible! I'll probably be close to the high time guy in my squadron this fiscal year with around 350 hrs in a fleett aircraft training squadron and I fly maintenance flights on the weekend and hang around for that dash 3 night formation flight when no one else wants to fly it! Generally - FRS (RAG) IPs fly more than their brothers in the fleet. Our guys on deployment are flying some really good hours while deployed, but then come home and barley fly enough to maintain currency.

USMCFLYR

I'm interested in the Air National Guard and looking for as much info as possible such as selection process and training. looking at 106th Rescue Sqdn. in Westhampton Beach , Long Island....Thanks

Hercs or helos? Have you tried calling them? Find the ops number via the web and give a call. That will be your best bet.

Here's a question for you guys. I've been interested in flying in the military for a long time, but i have been very discouraged by the the recent talk of UAV's in the military. I have heard that many new pilot candidates have been sent to the UAV's without ever flying an actual aircraft. This seems like a serious waste of time when u have to fly a remote for ten years. Anyone hoping to get a job after would seem to be kinda screwed, anyone have thoughts on that???

the other sites on UPT selection are a buzz with the next class will get UAVs in there drop. Expecting tons more in FY2009. The AF is treating it like a major weapon system(MWS) which means you'll be locked in it for a while. Given that the SecDef has been screaming for more UAVs in theater, I'd say it's very hard to recommend the AF right now.

Look at baseops.net and go to the forum link. tons of UPT hopefuls.

My thoughts, go guard or reserve.

The last Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) made some units UAV operators. I'm not sure when the next BRAC will come out, but I think you'll see it spread. Yes- Go Guard or Reserve. BUT- keep your ear to the ground on mission changes.

Wow. That would be a kick in the nuts. I bet they'll go pretty low.

There was an article in Air Force Times a few months ago that the AF decided to develop an independent UAV pipeline (De-qualed Pilot Candidates and UPT washouts) and eventually not have UPT students get UAV's out of the drop. I'm sure that doesn't help the guys going through right now, though.

I've been giving serious consideration to trying to fly in the AF. I'm not sure if I have a realistic shot. Here's my situation:

26 (and a half)
Prior enlisted, Active Duty AF
Regional FO, about 700 TT, 200 Turbine SIC
and I'm still working on my degree.

I finished an AA (4.0 GPA) and I just started working on an engineering technology degree online from UCF, but I'm thinking about transfering and pursuing an aeronautical degree from Riddle Worldwide, because there would be a lot less pre-reqs, and I could finish in about 1.5 - 2 years. I'm wondering if not finishing my degree until I'm 28, almost 29 is going to make it impossible to get a spot. I'd like to go Guard, so I could keep my seniority at my airline, but considering the hiring process necessary to get a Guard spot, I'm guessing that would be even more unlikely. I've thought about maybe trying to get a warrant spot in the Army, since I wouldn't have to be done with my bachelor's, but I enjoyed being in the AF, and I'm not sure if I'd be a good fit for the Army culture. Anyway, I like my current job, but I miss (parts of) being in the military, and was trying to figure out if I had a chance.
Any advice? Thanks.

Find a guard unit (or 10) that you would like to join and go for it. Get that degree asap. You have to be in UPT by age 30! There are exceptions to that, I know of three dudes with age waivers but they are few and far between (one which is in my class, had a three star helping him). Start sending apps. before you get your degree if they will let you. My unit hired me with a year left to get my degree.

Now would be a great time to go guard/reserve if possible. Guys in my class are pretty uncertain of their future. My class is going to drop soon and let's just say I count my blessings every day that I am guard!

As far as the army goes, I have a few buds in the Army guard and they both can't wait to get out/come to the air guard. I can't speak personally but their view is good enough for me!

Feel free to PM if you have any questions.

Goodluck

All you guys thinking about the military
 

As some previous bros suggested, go guard or reserve!

Something to think about on the AF side, back in late 2000 or early 2001, the AF increased the service commitment for pilot training grads from 8 yrs to 10yrs. That is taking effect (or is it affect?) in the next few years in the AF with not many pilots able to leave active duty. What that means is, for the next 2 years the reserve and guard will have very few active duty applicants due to the change from the 8yr to the 10 yr AD commitment. So, I don't think there is any better time than now for a civilian to get hired by the guard or reserve and sent to pilot training.

Good luck,

Buzz

Cool, thanks for the info guys. It's good to hear I still have time to shoot for the Guard, and I can get the ball rolling before I'm done with the degree. I guess I'll call the recruiter to set up the AFOQT and BAT tests and go from there.

Just don't let the recruiter talk you into a non-flying job...and get every promise in writing!!!!!!

Ha, yeah thanks. I know how much to trust a recruiter, and what their primary motivation is - that's why I'm trying to figure out as much as possible before I talk to one.
I can hear him already "Well, your best bet would be to re-enlist, then finish your degree and then apply for OTS from the inside." LOL

How right you are Bunk, but c'mon, who would want to be a jet pilot anyway. :eek:

Afterall...

...but then again, you knew that ;)

It seems funny to me that all the jet (S-3, F-14 RIO) guys that are coming back to the front seat or transitioning pick C-2's, interesting...

For those interested in military don't forget about the Coast Guard. Yes we do have planes! I was originally AF and recently made the switch. I am getting about the same amount of flight time with the benifit of no doploying to the desert! Right now the CG is about 40 fixed wing pilots short and that is forcasted to go to 140 in the next 4 years. There are a number of different routes to take; check out http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-you...ities/programs

Hey guys,
My goal is to become a pilot in the ANG after I finish college, and I have a few questions.
I'm 21 and have one year of college under my belt. What can I do right now to make myself more competetive? Would joining the local ANG (151st ARW) now help my chances of getting selected? Is it possible to enlist now then move on to be a pilot or even something else after I get my degree? Would I be too busy to go to school while enlisted in the ANG?
Thanks for any help! This forum is a great resource.
Eric

Did you switch before or after your ADSC? Also what did you fly in the Air Force? I've always been interested in flying for the coast guard after I spend my 10 years flying for the Air Force. Is the coast guard similar to the Air Force in that you can only really expect to fly for the first 10 years of your career or would it be possible to fly for the Air Force for 10 years then transfer to the CG and fly for another 10 years. I really have absolutely no desire to make rank. I would just like to stay in the cockpit and serve my country for as long as I can. Also if you wanted to fly 130's in the CG would you need to fly 130's in the Air Force?

Thanks for the info. This is one question I've always asked myself, but never really met anyone who had done this that I could ask questions.

I don't know if I would characterize it as BUSTED since that has a pretty heavy legal meaning - but I have heard that you will go back a rank. If it were available to me right now - I would do it in a second!

USMCFLYR