USAFA Cadet about to put in my AFSC
01-22-2010, 08:16 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: C47 PIC/747-400 SIC
Posts: 2,100
Originally Posted by Kolohe
A Fighter Pilot is an attitude not a job title. People with a Fighter Pilot attitude try to be the very best at everything they do. They exude confidence and enthusiasm while trying to be the best in their field. They work hard (and play harder), challenging themselves to perform to the best of their given ability. They take a tremendous amount of pride in their work--their profession--and themselves. It is the very drive behind this attitude that enables a Fighter Pilot to set high expectations and achieve them.
This attitude however can be found in any job title, any job position. When you combine this attitude with a certain aggressiveness, independence, integrity, courage, patriotism and a love of flying, you create a professional Aviator. Some of those Aviators fly fighter aircraft--others with the very same Fighter Pilot attitude fly helicopters, military transports or civilian airliners. Some Fighter Pilots do not even fly aircraft. Some lacking the Fighter Pilot attitude happen to fly in fighter aircraft--but are not Fighter Pilots at all. But the folks who do have this attitude--regardless of the aircraft or desk they may fly--are successful in whatever they set out to accomplish and are able to overcome any obstacle that impedes them from achieving their desired goals.
The fact that you have taken the time to locate this forum and ask for professional opinion is what a Fighter Pilot would do. Fighter Pilots think for themselves, but never fail to seek the advice of those would can provide a helpful answer. That said, Aviators typically have an insatiable desire to fly, and in my experience, those without this unique craving were not successful at UPT. Do not go to UPT if you do not have a fundamental yearning to fly. In my experience, these folks did not make it through UPT, or if they did they ended jumping out of perfectly good airplanes or morting themselves and/or others.
You will receive great words from those on this forum, but ultimately will have to answer some fundamental questions yourself. Time for a self-assessment—apply that stuff you learn during the M5 period after lunch at Mitchell Hall.
Are you a Fighter Pilot or not? Only you know the answer. Best of luck.
This attitude however can be found in any job title, any job position. When you combine this attitude with a certain aggressiveness, independence, integrity, courage, patriotism and a love of flying, you create a professional Aviator. Some of those Aviators fly fighter aircraft--others with the very same Fighter Pilot attitude fly helicopters, military transports or civilian airliners. Some Fighter Pilots do not even fly aircraft. Some lacking the Fighter Pilot attitude happen to fly in fighter aircraft--but are not Fighter Pilots at all. But the folks who do have this attitude--regardless of the aircraft or desk they may fly--are successful in whatever they set out to accomplish and are able to overcome any obstacle that impedes them from achieving their desired goals.
The fact that you have taken the time to locate this forum and ask for professional opinion is what a Fighter Pilot would do. Fighter Pilots think for themselves, but never fail to seek the advice of those would can provide a helpful answer. That said, Aviators typically have an insatiable desire to fly, and in my experience, those without this unique craving were not successful at UPT. Do not go to UPT if you do not have a fundamental yearning to fly. In my experience, these folks did not make it through UPT, or if they did they ended jumping out of perfectly good airplanes or morting themselves and/or others.
You will receive great words from those on this forum, but ultimately will have to answer some fundamental questions yourself. Time for a self-assessment—apply that stuff you learn during the M5 period after lunch at Mitchell Hall.
Are you a Fighter Pilot or not? Only you know the answer. Best of luck.
01-23-2010, 06:43 AM
#24
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 61
Also remember the AF doesn't care how bad you want a fighter. We had 30 guys in my class at graduation. At that time you had to be designated as "IP/Fighter" qualified even to be considered--my whole class was desginated due to a bunch of guys who worked their tails off. Guess what--only 2 F-4's came down (sorry, dating myself) and 1 was a RF. This plus 4 PIT slots was our allottment.
Believe me a lot of guys were disappointed as proved by the amount of beer poured that night in the stag bar(once again, dating myself). In the end though we were all pilots and that's what counted. I got a Herc and loved every day of it and wouldn't trade it--got to land on ice, snow, dirt, highways, and sometimes a real runway!
Believe me a lot of guys were disappointed as proved by the amount of beer poured that night in the stag bar(once again, dating myself). In the end though we were all pilots and that's what counted. I got a Herc and loved every day of it and wouldn't trade it--got to land on ice, snow, dirt, highways, and sometimes a real runway!
01-23-2010, 07:57 AM
#25
China Visa Applicant
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Midfield downwind
Posts: 1,919
Originally Posted by 727C47
like the man said there are some guys flying fighters who arent fighter pilots.we are talking a philosophy,not machinery.
HOWEVER....
Unless you've flown a fixed-wing airplane in which you as the pilot can employ weapons against another aircraft, you're not a fighter pilot, regardless of what kind of philosophy or attitude you have. That's the baseline entrance requirement....and the ability to be one is yardsticked on top of that.
There's no doubt that there are pilots all over the world who are phenomenal aviators with all the right skills and attitudes who, had they flown a fighter, certainly been 'fighter pilots' in every sense of the title. Unfortunately, if you haven't been there, you're not one.
01-23-2010, 10:54 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2008
Position: Livin' the dream
Posts: 626
I apologize for my crude comment earlier. I get sort of spooled up when people disrespect DC-3 drivers. I have the utmost respect for military aviators, of all stripes, and only read the military section here on APCF to live vicariously through you.
Happy Hunting Hacker15e.
Off to do 50 push-ups.
Happy Hunting Hacker15e.
Off to do 50 push-ups.
01-23-2010, 12:25 PM
#28
The NeverEnding Story
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,512
Originally Posted by Kilgore Trout
only read the military section here on APCF to live vicariously through you.
One of my best college buddies drives Mud Hens out of SJ. One day after a 6-month absence from Facebook I see he updated his page and I asked him how things had been - he replied he had been "in Afghanistan killing bad guys".
I had been flying a CRJ.
01-23-2010, 03:50 PM
#29
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Permanently scarred
Posts: 1,707
Originally Posted by Kolohe
A Fighter Pilot is an attitude not a job title. People with a Fighter Pilot attitude try to be the very best at everything they do. They exude confidence and enthusiasm while trying to be the best in their field. They work hard (and play harder), challenging themselves to perform to the best of their given ability. They take a tremendous amount of pride in their work--their profession--and themselves. It is the very drive behind this attitude that enables a Fighter Pilot to set high expectations and achieve them.
This attitude however can be found in any job title, any job position. When you combine this attitude with a certain aggressiveness, independence, integrity, courage, patriotism and a love of flying, you create a professional Aviator. Some of those Aviators fly fighter aircraft--others with the very same Fighter Pilot attitude fly helicopters, military transports or civilian airliners. Some Fighter Pilots do not even fly aircraft. Some lacking the Fighter Pilot attitude happen to fly in fighter aircraft--but are not Fighter Pilots at all. But the folks who do have this attitude--regardless of the aircraft or desk they may fly--are successful in whatever they set out to accomplish and are able to overcome any obstacle that impedes them from achieving their desired goals.
The fact that you have taken the time to locate this forum and ask for professional opinion is what a Fighter Pilot would do. Fighter Pilots think for themselves, but never fail to seek the advice of those would can provide a helpful answer. That said, Aviators typically have an insatiable desire to fly, and in my experience, those without this unique craving were not successful at UPT. Do not go to UPT if you do not have a fundamental yearning to fly. In my experience, these folks did not make it through UPT, or if they did they ended jumping out of perfectly good airplanes or morting themselves and/or others.
You will receive great words from those on this forum, but ultimately will have to answer some fundamental questions yourself. Time for a self-assessment—apply that stuff you learn during the M5 period after lunch at Mitchell Hall.
Are you a Fighter Pilot or not? Only you know the answer. Best of luck.
This attitude however can be found in any job title, any job position. When you combine this attitude with a certain aggressiveness, independence, integrity, courage, patriotism and a love of flying, you create a professional Aviator. Some of those Aviators fly fighter aircraft--others with the very same Fighter Pilot attitude fly helicopters, military transports or civilian airliners. Some Fighter Pilots do not even fly aircraft. Some lacking the Fighter Pilot attitude happen to fly in fighter aircraft--but are not Fighter Pilots at all. But the folks who do have this attitude--regardless of the aircraft or desk they may fly--are successful in whatever they set out to accomplish and are able to overcome any obstacle that impedes them from achieving their desired goals.
The fact that you have taken the time to locate this forum and ask for professional opinion is what a Fighter Pilot would do. Fighter Pilots think for themselves, but never fail to seek the advice of those would can provide a helpful answer. That said, Aviators typically have an insatiable desire to fly, and in my experience, those without this unique craving were not successful at UPT. Do not go to UPT if you do not have a fundamental yearning to fly. In my experience, these folks did not make it through UPT, or if they did they ended jumping out of perfectly good airplanes or morting themselves and/or others.
You will receive great words from those on this forum, but ultimately will have to answer some fundamental questions yourself. Time for a self-assessment—apply that stuff you learn during the M5 period after lunch at Mitchell Hall.
Are you a Fighter Pilot or not? Only you know the answer. Best of luck.
01-23-2010, 04:03 PM
#30
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Posts: 61
Gunship; You are so right. I was a fighter pilot (in my mind) until the AF told me I was going to Herks. People have to realize that no matter what you want the needs of the service come first. Be humble and proud of those wings--that's what matters.
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