Active Duty or ANG?
06-18-2013, 02:08 PM
#42
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Yes, sarcasm.
The USAF has been planned into a manned aircraft pilot shortage for a while. The personnel guys were already spouting the math a couple of years ago. It has already begun to hit the RTU's in the fighter world.
My son is currently in F-16 RTU. I talk to my old friends out there all the time.
The big "IF" is how many F-35's is the USAF going to buy. With the current numbers, there is almost no way they can produce enough pilots.
06-18-2013, 02:49 PM
#43
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Joined APC: Apr 2013
Position: Retired AF/A320 FO
Posts: 326
The fighter pilot pipeline has become so small that the community cannot produce enough pilots to fill all it positions (AETC, rated staff, RPA, etc). This has impacted AMC where for example the mobility community is readily used to fill AETC IP slots and ACC staff positions. Where AMC sqdns used to be manned at 110% plus we are now held to 100% and the prior excess is used to fill prior ACC allocations. Can only give my opinion on the "why" or "how" we got here but it's where we are today. It's now the norm in AMC to see pilots do 2-3 ops to ops assignments. The AMC pipeline has the ability to produce bigger/excess numbers to make up for the shortfall on fighter side. Interesting times ahead.
06-18-2013, 03:51 PM
#44
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Originally Posted by Pyro
Cleverly planned? Sarcasm? If not, please explain, I have not heard/thought of this angle.
The story I've heard is that when the money started drying up they "cleverly" (read stoopidly) cut the training force well out of proportion to the line force. The result is that we cannot train enough pilots to fill the needed force structure. Why? Dunno. I can confirm that the RTU syllabus is cut to the bone in an attempt to shorten the pipeline. Most instructors leaving Luke right now are getting F-16 flying assignments.
Also, the UAV world now has it's own pilot training so they will no longer be boning young Lt's straight out of UPT.
If you have a UPT assignment it is a good time to have it.
06-18-2013, 04:55 PM
#45
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Joined APC: Jul 2009
Position: Lowest Pay I Could Find
Posts: 1,044
Originally Posted by 1Seat 1Engine
Not one word of it was sarcasm.
The USAF has been planned into a manned aircraft pilot shortage for a while. The personnel guys were already spouting the math a couple of years ago. It has already begun to hit the RTU's in the fighter world.
My son is currently in F-16 RTU. I talk to my old friends out there all the time.
The big "IF" is how many F-35's is the USAF going to buy. With the current numbers, there is almost no way they can produce enough pilots.
The USAF has been planned into a manned aircraft pilot shortage for a while. The personnel guys were already spouting the math a couple of years ago. It has already begun to hit the RTU's in the fighter world.
My son is currently in F-16 RTU. I talk to my old friends out there all the time.
The big "IF" is how many F-35's is the USAF going to buy. With the current numbers, there is almost no way they can produce enough pilots.
A-10, B-1 Vertical Cuts On the Table
Then when the JSF production line is cut waaaay short you are good to go. Probably have the same AD end strength, so without all those pesky pilots and jets the shoe clerks should finally get some much needed peace and quiet.
06-18-2013, 05:15 PM
#46
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Joined APC: Oct 2012
Position: 737
Posts: 1,061
Originally Posted by guido15
I always envied the guard/reserve guys in UPT. (pilot training). But only those going to fighter units. They had guaranteed fighter slots. Well, as long as they could get the FAR qualification. Some of The others (not all by any means) who were locked into a heavy due to their guard/reserve slot came to regret it; Especially once they began training in the white rocket, the T38. the best advise I ever got was from a crusty old Colonel who said I could always fly a heavy at some put in my life, but I wouldn't always be able to fly a fighter--especially if I started out in a heavy. I am so grateful to have that fighter and military experience. Personally, I don't know how people say sane being in this business for 30-40 years. Take it for what it's worth and good luck.
This said, in 2013 I'd go Guard. Just be advised that that VIP transport mission could change to RPAs or lose airframes altogether at any moment. Talk to the guys at Barksdale, Ft Smith, etc.
06-23-2013, 07:36 PM
#47
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Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: 737 Right
Posts: 1,385
Originally Posted by Flamer
No problem. Just cut a whole bunch of frontline combat proven jets.
A-10, B-1 Vertical Cuts On the Table
Then when the JSF production line is cut waaaay short you are good to go. Probably have the same AD end strength, so without all those pesky pilots and jets the shoe clerks should finally get some much needed peace and quiet.
A-10, B-1 Vertical Cuts On the Table
Then when the JSF production line is cut waaaay short you are good to go. Probably have the same AD end strength, so without all those pesky pilots and jets the shoe clerks should finally get some much needed peace and quiet.
If the F-35 buy is cut way short all bets are off.
I'm just saying that the current math is already dictating that all current and qualified fighter pilots are staying in the cockpit.
As always, there is no way to predict the future of USAF rated personel assignments, even 2-3 years. That's the way it's always been.
They're going to transport VIPs in RPAs? 
06-24-2013, 05:52 AM
#49
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Joined APC: May 2006
Posts: 840
We're not short fighter pilots. We're fat on hours and fighters. That will change with the current budget cuts. I think you'll see continued belt tightening next year too. The ground pounders won't be happy until the Air Force is just the Force.
06-24-2013, 06:21 AM
#50
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Joined APC: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,129
Originally Posted by 1Seat 1Engine
If the F-35 buy is cut way short all bets are off.
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