I just got my CFI back in September and also have a few UPT packets out there, but I know when I return, I will be at the cutoff age to attend.

Is there anything I can do to keep my flying skills up and try to get a UPT slot while I'm over there? I don't want to take 1 year+ off from flying and to have the UPT door shut in my face. I was thinking of bringing some of my flight sim gear with me. This sucks, but the nice thing is that I will have enough cash, if I don't spend it, I can buy a small airplane when I get back and fly the heck out of it.

 

Check your PMs jsf.

 

Under the circumstances I would be less concerned with GA currency and more concerned with the paperwork process to get a UPT slot.

I suggest that for all of your UPT applications you carefully map out the required process (obviously a lot of overlap) and identify those items which you cannot accomplish overseas (medicals, interviews, etc).

If possible try to work with the recruiters to get that stuff taken care of before you go. Recruiter apathy aside, if there ever was a justification for special handling you are it. I would guess that a guard unit might be more sympathetic to your plight than a regular AF recruiter.

Also talk to your CO, it's possible they might fly you back to the states once or twice during the deployment to take care of these things. If it were me, I would find some OPTAR money or another means of accomplishing the travel (space A?).

 

#1 priority should be getting the UPT slot. in the meantime a lot of us brought flight sim stuff (which seems crazy since we are flying 100 hrs a month). FYI a guy interviewed with a guard unit while he was here in iraq via phone then went and did another formal interview in person after he got home. best of luck.

 

jsf,
As far as the currency stuff, you should get roughly 14 days of leave during your deployment. I think. My Army Guard unit did in 2006-2007. I don't know if that still holds true if Guard units are doing shorter deployments now.

Maybe you can do a lot of flying if/ when you are stateside on leave?

 

When I was interviewing, one of the other interviewees was a military guy currently in Iraq too (don't know any specifics about which branch)... I just know they did a telephone interview with him. Maybe you could try to work out this kind of situation as well?

 

I'm having problems editing my post. Can I get a moderator to delete this thread or help me to edit it?

 

Ummm... maybe. Feel free to PM me with your reason.