Competitive Minimums for Air Force Slot
 

I've been doing a lot of reading lately and I wanted to get a few more opinions on what you think or have heard the competitive minimums for a slot in the Air Force are.

I am running close to the end of the age clock and have just begun actively pursuing this dream (I know I should have started earlier).

I have a 4 year degree in aviation 3.93 GPA. I also have a master's degree in aviation 4.00 GPA.

I am currently working as a check instructor at a 141 flight school. I have just a little over 1,500 hours total time and 300 ME.

I have not yet taken the AFOQT.

I just found the web site hamletthouse.com and just reading about training I am even more determined to to realize my dream.

I would appreciate any insight on this matter. My real fear is that with the amount of pilots looking for a job that the minimums to get a slot are much higher than what I have.

Thanks and Happy Memorial Day.

Options
 

Your only options are Officer training School (OTS), or the Air Guard or Air Force Reserve.

Most important thing: Get the AFOQT done pronto! Worry about who is going to hire you second.

OTS has limited pilot slots right now.

It is difficult to get hired "off the street" into the Guard or Reserves.

BUT: none of the three are impossible.

Your prior flying may not help with an OTS slot.

It might help if you can find a Guard/Reserve unit that is direct-hiring.

Go to baseops.net...lots of great info there.

Try do well on the AFOQT and the TBAS, you will put a max of 201hrs towards your PCSM score (after that the hours/ratings/licenses don't really matter all that much). I don't think that GPA is a factor with OTS slots anymore (very recently) other than over the minimums. The AFOQT is not a hard test but certainly worth getting the study guides for. The TBAS is a different animal... some say play video games/flight sims... personally I don't play much of those and I didn't do so hot on that test. The first parts were easy, the last parts were very hard - either way you don't get a score from the TBAS specifically. That test is kinda hush-hush, but read what you can about it.... and when you get in there... read the directions very, very carefully - soak them in deeply.
My AFOQT pilot was 96, with max flight hours and the TBAS it dropped my PCSM to 95 - not the best, but oh well.

Good luck!

Avatar
 

Ryan:

Is your avatar an L-39?

No sir, I wish it was though. It is a Chinese built CJ-6 - Quite a low performer, but a fun plane to fly - the metric instruments take a little getting used to - especially the "upside down" attitude indicator. Any chance to get in an aircraft with a stick and radial engine (or any engine) is a good time. Will you be UPT instructing in 1 to 1.5 years from now?

http://i533.photobucket.com/albums/e...4/ryan4018.jpg

Barely...but maybe...
 

Ryan:

One year, barely: the Reserves are going to make me retire in July 2010.

BUT: I am considering the "come out of retirement; go back to active-duty" program. It's a voluntary program, and the Air Force tells you what job they will give you, if you come back. Two years minimum; four years max.

If they let me stay at CBM in the T-38, I'm probably going to take it.

You going to be a student in 1 to 1.5 years?

From your post you are motivated and need to be. Get all of your ducks in a row. I would start thinking about a guard or reserve job unless you want to fly a heavy/ tanker or airlift.

The USAF is giving out UAV's now in pilot training. At the drop last Friday in Del Rio, TX, there was 1 fighter aircraft, ,the rest were FAIP,s UAV, RC-12, KC-135 (yes out of the fighter/bomber track). If you want to fly AMC, you shouldn't have any probs for now. Get the ball rolling ASAP for it does take awhile. Hours means nothing and there is and going to be even more so a huge pilot shortage.

...PM sent...

Thanks for the responses so far. My plan all along has been OTS. Guard or reserve is not what I am looking for at this time. I am looking for a full time job and career to go with it. I know that OTS is very limited with somewhere close to or a little over 100 slots offered each year.

I may be on the odd side here but the fighter is not what I am interested in. I would love to be part of the AMC. Heavy is what I am looking for (airplanes that is, not woman)!

Bearcat, from your post it sounds as though this track may have a few more openings than the other tracks (I know that the fighter track is extremely competitive and the amount of slots available for a fighter is very limited). I was a little confused by your last sentence, however, "Hours means nothing and there is and going to be even more so a huge pilot shortage." I know that the amount of hours maxes out at 200ish for credit toward the PCSM score but what do you mean about the shortage? Is this a shortage of pilots to fill aircraft or a shortage of pilot slots available?

Again, thanks for the information thus far. I'll keep everyone up to date and I am sure to have more questions as I continue through the process.

New question. After doing some reading I think I have a good idea of the answer to this one but I thought I would get some more feed back.

While filling out the OTS Applicant Information Form I got to the use of illegal drugs and got to thinking...Does this DQ one from OTS/UPT. More specifically marijuana used 3 times 5 years ago. I answered truthfuly. Integrity to me is something I have become to pride myself in.

What I have read is that the USAF has a zero tolerance drug use policy with regards to Officers.

I am not proud of the decisions I made but I have learned a great deal from them. I know, I know...I should have just said NO!

Thanks.