Air Force Reserve UPT and IFS
 

I've been selected for a pilot slot with the Air Force Reserve, scheduled for the Class I medical exam at Brooks in mid May. I am also a CFII and MEI. Am I required to attend IFS, even with my previous flight experience? If so, what does the program entail, and for how long? Thanks

I am just guessing....but since IFS usually ends in a PPL..... I would say No. But what the heck do I know.

Doss Aviation Initial Flight Screening: Incoming Students

http://www.dossifs.com/usaf/Docs/SyllabusAug06.pdf

Air Force Initial Flight Screening/Initial Flight Training

here is everything you need, and yes it looks like according to the first web page people with FAA ratings must now attend IFS. First is from Doss and is current. 2nd is an older syllabus, may or may not be current, but it will give you an idea of what to expect. 3rd is from wantscheck, like all info on the net, treat it with caution, generally a good site.

Keep an open mind, help out your classmates, both at IFS and at UPT. Don't volunteer your prior experience unless it is on a questionaire or someone asks you directly. Most people you fly with will figure it out pretty quickly.

The old IFS program to get a PPL after the T-3 program ended, was terminated a few years ago. The one we have now is closer to the old Hondo, Tx Flight Screening Program (FSP).

Thanks Tweetdrvr, I found the IFS website exactly three seconds after I posted the question.

I also understand how one's attitude can make or break UPT, thanks for the advice.

captnskyhawk,
Both Tweetdrvr and I have been instructors at UPT for about a hundred years. Listen to him grasshopper, he speaks wisdom. It may sound harsh, but I don't care what civilian ratings you have...welcome to military aviation. You need for me to figure out via your skills, dedication, and teamwork, that you are an experienced pilot. I don't want to hear it, I want to see it.
You will be going to IFS. I know its hard to believe, but you'll be glad you did. You'll be way ahead of the simplistic flying program, and be able to learn the way things are done in the military. That will pay huge dividends when it comes time to fly with Tweetdrvr. If you are ahead at all at UPT, it wont last for long. UPT is going to be a much more challenging program than you think, and knowing the system early will help you succeed.
Congrats and welcome to the program.

I'm a fomer UPT/IFT/AFS and Navy Instructor and for the moment a current IFS instructor...PM if you have any specific questions.

Listen to the advice above...it is spot on!

Cheers,
Tweet

Thought of another question, and this one I couldn't find. Is IFS before or after OTS?

1.) All AFRC pilot candidates will go to IFS as of Aug 09.
2.) Latest I've heard is about 4 weeks duration.
3.) After OTS.

Have you searched this forum or baseops? Try wantscheck too.

Tweet46,
How are things in Pueblo? I'll be retiring in the near future, looking at the possibilities there. What's the scoop compared to instructing in upt? I dropped Daygo a line a while back and he was real positive and encouraging. PM me if you think it more appropriate. (I'll have to figure out that PM thingy though, never done it before). Thanks.

jet

Hey Jet,

This would be a very nice retirement gig if it were not in Puebhole. Hiring has slowed to a trickle mostly because we have reached max capacity with both students and IP's. There are still a IP's few trickling in though. Turnover is very low at the moment becuase there are very few jobs to move on too. If things turn around I believe a lot of us ex AF furloghee/pool types will move back to the big planes.

IFS defintely has a UPT feel to it...for both the studs and IP's. (both good and bad). It is always fun to fly with the young energetic/motivated studs but there is very little variety to the flying...ie. no form/inst/ etc. Can get old in a hurry.

Stay in touch with Daygo...(he is moving on this Summer though), If you want more specifics PM me...

To the OP...concur with the others... all FAA rated folks still have to come through IFS...in fact, I had one student who had her ATP and more flying time then when I retired from the AF. She came in with attitude that she had no experience and easily adapted to the military way. Then again I have seen some struggle mostly because of a "know it all" attitude.



Cheers,
Tweet