So here is where I sit. I have been looking at schools/adcademys to eventuly become a commercial pilot. Everything I have been looking at is Expen$ive. Basiclly I'd be in debt for 15 years if not more. I guess my question is I live in Shelby, Ohio about 15 minutes North of the 179th airlift wing (area code 44903). I always see what I think are c130's flying overhead. What would I need to do to be one of those people, the ones flying those planes. Im 22 and currently enrolled in a 4year college and working full time at Best Buy, but I don't think that the college life is for me, I dont like it. Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

how much further do you have to do in school? Hate to break it but going to college was easier than all the training for my ratings.

 

Still considered a Freshman so quite a while.

 

Hate to break it to you, but in order to fly one of those planes, you're going to have to finish college.

 

Finish college. In the mean time go visit the unit on a drill day and make friends with the pilots and ask them questions.

 

JS
Hey man this is my first post ever so bear with me. I'm one of those guys flying the Herks out of Mansfield so I have some insight on what you asked. We review all the resumes that come in for our hiring board and the competitive ones are then invited in for an interview. Now by competitive I mean resumes with 4 year degrees (or almost completed a four year degree) and guys with some sort of flight experience usually a PPL or close to completing there PPL. Other things are considered as well but I won't get in to those since you asked about the 4 year degree. So my suggestion to you is to get that degree. One more thing. Not to sound rude or anything but the Guard is not like it used to be. If all your looking to do is to build up hours so you can become a commercial pilot inexpensively then this probalby isn't the place for you. I've spent more time overseas the last 3 years then I did the entire time I was on active duty. Not complaining just a fact. We need guys who can balance their families, civilian jobs, and be high participators in the unit, not just guys who get hours and then bail. Plus, not to put more of damper on anything but we're on the BRAC list as well and don't even know if we'll have airplanes by 2010. It is a great unit and the airplane is a blast to fly. Hope this helped some.

Seaweed

 

With 20/20 hindsight, if I had it to do all over again, the ANG would be the way to go.

 

I don't know much about this subject, so I was hoping someone could explain it to me.

What is flying in the ANG like? How is it different than the AF, Navy, Marines? Are you only part time? Can you be full time? What is the commitement?

Basically, pretend I have no idea what the ANG is, and just a short description of what the path through it is. Thanks.

 

Since we are asking ANG questions, he is another one.

Do you have to reside in the state where your unit is located? Is it a mile distance to the base requirement?

 

Both: Gotta get a four year degree, get commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, and attend UPT (undergraduate pilot training).

USAF: Can get commissioned via the USAFA (Air Force Academy), ROTC, or OTS.
- USAFA typically has very high if not 100% UPT slots for cadets that are PQ (Medically Pilot Qualified). USAFA is typically more competitive to get into than ROTC at a civilian school.
- ROTC: Various forms of USAF scholarships (full-ride to none) while attending a civilian college. UPT slots through ROTC are typically more competitive.
- OTS: Officer Training School. If you already have your Bachelor's, this is a 12-week program to make you a 2nd Lt. I think UPT slots are hardest to come by via this avenue (not my area of expertise though)

USAF: After getting commissioned, the aircraft flown after UPT will be determined upon performance during UPT.


ANG: Two ways to get into the ANG as a pilot:
1) After fulfilling your active duty comittment to the USAF (or even the USN) you can "get hired" by an ANG unit. You can even possibly transfer your AD committment to the Guard via a program called Palace Chase, but this program is totally dependent on USAF personnel/pilot requirements at the time. It is easiest to get hired by an ANG unit that flies the aircraft you are current in. The hiring process is typically an interview and review of your resume. Can be very competitive depending on ANG unit location, timing, airline hiring status, etc.
2) Or an ANG unit can hire a young college grad, send him to AMS (the ANG's 2nd Lt commissioning program), send him to UPT, send him to the Training Program for the unit's specific aircraft, and then the young Lt comes back to fly for that unit. The beauty of this for the individual is that he knows what aircraft he will fly if he successfully makes it through the program. These slots are typically very competitive.

ANG Jobs: There are both f/t and p/t pilot jobs. Seems like when the airlines are doing well, f/t jobs are easier to get and vice versa. So right now, f/t jobs in our unit are hard to come by.

Location: Some units have a 50-mile rule or state resident rule. Just depends on the unit.

OK, there you have it. That should be enough to get you going. Start surfing, find an ANG unit near you, talk to some recruiters, and keep asking to talk to some young pilot (heck even offer to take them to lunch...that'll get their attention).

FYI-I went to the zoo (USAFA) and have now been in the ANG for almost 14 years. Active Duty and ANG/Reserve both have their pros and cons.

Bottom line: Please don't join the military for the primary reason of wanting flying time for the airlines (that is certainly a fine longer term goal-just shouldn't be your primary motivator). Join the military because you want to serve our nation.

Good luck and God Bless.