Hey Everyone,

I have enlisted in the Air Force and was sworn in in April of this year. I just got my job assignment and ship date this past week. I got assigned loadmaster, which was my number one choice, so i am grateful for that, my ship date is november 9th. My goal right now is to serve get my degree, and do this job, and eventually fly for a major airline. My main question is: Since loadmasters apparently log flight hours, can these be applied towards an airline career if i were to try and get a job with an airline one day, after of course getting all the certifications needed, ie commercial...ATP? And if not, what is the best way to get from being a loadmaster, to a commercial pilot? Im very excited about my air force career and I am very happy with the choice i have made to serve.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

Loadmaster time does not count as pilot time. Finish your degree and apply for a pilot slot. Otherwise, get your flight certificates outside of the military, and flight instruct until you have enough flight time to pursue other aviation opportunities.
The best of luck in your new Air Force career, it will be rewarding. And, like anything else, you will get out of it, what you put into it.

 

As a former loadmaster and current airline pilot I can tell you that you are in for one heck of a ride! OK so loadmaster time will not count as flight time but you will get much more then flight time out of being a loadmaster. CRM, checklist usage how to deal with inflight emergencies and the list goes on. I would say step one get that degree. Most bases have gotten rid of the Aeroclubs but you might just be lucky enough to be based in a location that still has one. Flying time costs are about half as much as the outside world (I've been out for several years so that may have changed too). The most important thing is to enjoy the ride you are about to go on. Take time to stop and see the world around you and trust me you will see lots of it. Never be afriad to let your crew know you want to be a pilot, I did and even though it wasnt legal or official I flew at least a hundred hours in the left and right seat because when your on a 10+ hour leg every pilot need a break. Good luck

 

TS91,

Welcome to Blue, and thank you for your service. When the guys my age got in, we knew it was a chance we'd go off to war some day, and we did. But when your generation enlisted, you knew you WOULD go off to war (and you will... often) - that's impressive. Thank you.

My advice:

Priority one is to learn your current job and do it better than anyone else. Listen to your NCOs, help your fellow Amn, and be the first guy to volunteer to work. Find the guy/gal who you think is the best loadmaster in the squadron, and learn from him/her (and some day, when you're the best loadmaster in the squadron, look for new guys and teach them likewise).

Once you're eligible, order your CDCs, study the hell out of them, and ace the test. Be ready to get signed off for 5-level at the earliest opportunity. Then start on your CCAF.

You do those things, and you're competitive for below-the-zone to SrA. If you're looking for a commission and UPT some day, that's a huge plus. If you're planning to get out after 4, SrA early is more money in your pocket for those days.

Take advantage of all the opportunities you've got. If you've got dependents, sign up NOW for GI Bill transferability. Once you've got your CCAF degree, look into the opportunities for Tuition Assistance.

If you're single, stay in the dorms as long as possible. Single or married, stay away from the party scene, and start saving a couple bucks a month. When it starts coming in, put your flight and combat pay away also. Treat yourself every once in a while, but stay out of debt, and STAY AWAY FROM the "PAY DAY"/"CASH LOAN" predators that will be right out the front gate.

Starting well right now will set you up for opportunities later, whether in the AF or outside.

Again, thanks for your service, and once you get 25 posts so you can PM, please feel free to bounce questions to me through that method.

 

I went from being a KC-130 FE to being a Commercial/Corporate Captain, now flying Lear 35/55 and King Air. WHile you are in, find out about the local Aero club on base and get started. It will be the cheapest flying you will ever find, and usually a good bunch of guys and gals. I started in Okinawa Japan at Kadena Aero Club. Greatest place I have ever dealt with.

 

I don't want to derail the topic, but could someone please elaborate on this point made by gearmover? Is a 50% discount accurate, and what are the qualifications for this?

Also, thanks to everyone for your service!

 

Haven't been a member of an Aero Club for almost a decade , but I just checked out the Eglin Aero Club, and they're renting T-41s and 172s for $95-120/hr wet. They've got 310s for $225. IPs are $35/hr. Seems like a pretty good deal these days for flying over Destin.

Other benefits included solid maintenance, great instructors, and much more freedom on where we could take airplanes. In Alaska, we could land in gravel and grass, for instance. None of the downtown FBOs would allow that. They didn't require renter's insurance either, but that probably has changed.

The cost for this, in addition to the monthly dues, is mandatory safety meetings and perhaps more stringent checkouts. Small price to pay for the benefits, imo.

The Eglin site says they're open to civilians, btw - so if you've got a club near you, couldn't hurt to give them a call.

 

Congratulations! You're going to have a lot of fun, especially if you get C-130s, which I highly recommend. Don't forget your goals. The enlisted ranks are chock full of people who only intended to serve one tour and punch. They served long, honorable careers, and they deserve to be commended for it - but, still, for many they didn't start off thinking of being in for 20. Get your degree ASAP. Don't procrastinate, as it will get harder the longer you stay in. Your goal should be to have your degree completed by the time your enlistment is up. That will give you max flexibility.

If you get assigned to an associate unit, cultivate a relationship with your ANG/AFRC counterparts. Their opinion of you could have a major impact on becoming a pilot. Good luck.

 

Thanks everyone. All of your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

As a AFRes squadron ops officer, I sent 2 LMs to UPT. All worked hard at being a load and getting uni done. One is a UPS FO, the other a senior ART. I also had a pilot that came up thru ms to be an FE, then did college and UPT. Tough, but doable, he's a DL 767 captain. All will get good retirements, too.

GF