Steps to becoming USAF cargo pilot?
 

So I've always had an interest in flying for the military, preferably cargo because I honestly don't think I could take the G's that these guys pull on a constant basis in the fighters. Not to say that I have a weak stomach but I would be much better suited on something other than a fighter. What is the process to getting into something like this? I'm currently enrolled in a collegiate flight school program, I'll have my Aviation flight science bachelors degree in 2 years, and I'll have my CFI here shortly. I know you need a college degree, I am also wondering about the health requirements, I have a first class medical, 20/20, flawless health history, however, I do get these random heart palpitations, I'm doing testing later in the week to see exactly what they are, sounds like they're benign and aren't a big deal. What these be something that would disqualify me? Any advice is appreciated.

Best bet is to talk to a recruiter either Guard or Active duty

Avoid active duty. Look at the guard and reserve, but avoid active duty.

Go Guard or Reserve, and ONLY talk to an "Officer Accession" recruiter. Realize that if you skip my advice and go to a normal recruiter, they might (will) lie to you and try to convince you to enlist, they don't give 2 $h!+'s about your desire to be a pilot.

Really though, you need to find the job yourself, get some face time, and use the recruiter for completing your application package.

That said, you should be able to pick up a reserve spot if you put your mind to it. As far as heart palpitations, I don't know, is it a murmur? Or A-fib? The latter would be very bad, the former probably OK. Check out baseops.net for more info on joining and the heart question.

Go guard/reserves. DO NOT go active duty!

Pilot training in active duty is a complete crapshoot as to what plane you will get and they really like f*cking guys over and giving graduates RPAs that they are stuck with for potentially 10 years. Guess what those hours count for?

As guard/reserve, you'll go to pilot training knowing the plane you fly if you get hired by a unit. Plus you can apply to the airlines/FedEx as soon as you have the minimums.

Guard first, then reserve in that order although it may be easier to get into the reserve depending on location.

Guard prefers local boys/girls, so in-state is the best place to start.

If you can't get a part time gig but don't want to do fighters, I would skip AD entirely and just go the airline route ( you can keep trying for guard/reserve until about age 30 while you build airline experience and seniority). The hiring opportunities right now are great and getting better but you might well be on the back side of that curve by the time you finish school and an AD service obligation.

As a soon to be retired active duty guy...listen to these other people. Guard/Reserve is what you want.

Also, you're going to pull some Gs in pilot training.

Steps to becoming a cargo pilot? Do poorly in pilot training....

(Just kidding...had to take the easy shot..)

Yeah, I wanted to be a fighter pilot but unfortunately having an IQ above 45 disqualifies you

And I'll enjoy living out my life with no back or neck pain!

As the result of flying fighters, I flew cargo (C-5) AND got to live with back pain. A two-fer! I don't know a tactical guy without back or neck pain. A friend has a spine surgeon on speed dial.

Liftr92,

It's not the IQ, it's having a reasonably humane personality that disqualifies you! :D

GF

I would try to see a doctor who is willing to see you "off the record." With the electronic medical records, where one doctor can pull up your entire history, keeping something like this a secret will be extremely difficult.

Do not quote me on this, but I am fairly certain that any heart issues as a potential pilot candidate would be disqualifying.

Back when I went through, we had to go down to Brooks AFB in Texas and have a echocardiogram video of our hearts made and sent to the flight surgeon.

If you do, probably the same guy who has sons instead of daughters. He needed to pull more Gs. I got the three girls and two back surgeries. One surgery was probably not related. The girls and other surgery probably are.... :)

One son, no back or neck problems (other than just getting old), 21 years of tactical flying. Granted yes, most of that was in the mighty Mud Hen. However, I'll counter that with also doing a 3.5 year tour flying the AT-38 as an IFF IP - back in the parachute days. It can be done, don't believe the rumors.

And you know what? Flying fighters, while it entails mental and physical work, is damn fun. Along with every other type of flying (hard work yet fun). To the OP - never, ever close any doors based on your personal preconceived notions. Let your own performance and actions during UPT help determine your future, based on your desires and the needs of the AF. However, if a guard/reserve unit hires you you likely won't have a choice in what you fly unless it's an unsponsored hire by AFRC. And there's always that chance that halfway through your UPT course you'll find out the Guard unit that hired you is converting to RPAs!

Remember, the guard and reserve are great, but (at least for the AFR) the grass isn't greener - it's just a different shade of green. An overused saying but all too true. I've been in the RegAF for 17 years, Reserve for 5, and have been an ART, IMA, and AGR. I've loved every part of my entire AF career. Never been in the Guard so won't talk to that but I'm sure you'll find a few Guard guys who are willing to admit it's a true statement.

Re. daughters...it's probably not the G's, it's probably the O2 partial pressure or pressure changes. Navy divers and submariners have the same problem.

Whats the military's stance on people that get motion sick? Will they award them fighter slots? Would you recommend AF or Navy?

Nah if you get motion sick and can't get used to it you'll wash out of training. They will work with you a lot as long as you have the drive, but at a certain point they will give you the boot.


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Never been a problem for me, because my IQ is so low, I didn't know any better! With that said, I guess that the ladies always seem to like the dumb ones then....

I crack myself up!

Friend of mine got really sick... They had what we referred to the spin and puke. He kept at it until he couldn't puke any more. He finally got over it but a few didn't.

Over 2k hours in the 130 and I still occasionally get queezy. Usually at 300A low levels when I'm fatigued. It's mostly mental IMHO...good diet, rest, hydration and air conditioning can do wonders. Very few guys actually wash out for it.

Anybody on here that I can PM and ask in depth questions about becoming a NAVY/AF flight officer?

recommend you browse the forums on www.baseops.net There are a bunch of threads about what you are about to undertake. The path has been well traveled and it is well marked.

Good luck!

C17D

Any attempts by the AF to help the airlines out by tightening mil-leave rules are ill advised and extremely short sighted. While there are some that abuse mil, the reality is most don't and it is no easy thing to remain current and proficient in two flying jobs. I always tried to give my civilian employer sufficient notice and never abused the system. Nevertheless, there were several occasions where orders were changed last minute and I was forced to give my employer less notice than I would have liked. I truly believe that the majority of issues airlines see with their mil folks are a result of poor management on AFRC's side. I was offended last year when the AFRC commander sent an email to all pilots insisting we needed to do a better job giving our civilian employers lead time. Bottom line: airline/mil guys are already taxed. Any further pressure will be highly detrimental to AFRC's ability to recruit and retain pilots.

EDIT: mods, not sure how my reply ended up in this thread. Please move to the Goldfein/1500hr thread if able.

As long as you are qualified, I would assume it wouldn't be too hard to get a cargo or tanker upt slot. All the c-17/5 or tanker guys I fly with say their unit is looking and to send any guys I'd recomnend their way.

I kid at my local airport got picked up on the spot at a C-17 unit this past fall.

Define qualified. I have 150 hours, PPL, IR, and will have commercial soon. What else are they looking for?

1. Solid AFOQT scores
2. PCSM 90+
3. Medically qualified (more stringent than FAA Class 1)
4. no major skeletons in the closet
5. Bachelor's degree

That should give you a good start.

C17D

You forgot the #1 thing we are looking for.... attitude! Then all above apply. How many hours or licenses you have is about last on the list

And try Airwarriors.com for the Naval Aviator view point.

Will they reassign you to a different aircraft like something in the cargo, transport category or are you just done as a pilot?

So nobody on here recommends Active duty at all?

I wouldn't trade my active duty time for anything.

I seem to have had a more satisfying career than many on this board though.

I'll admit that when I joined - I didn't know much about the Air National Guard or the Reserves - though the USMC doesn't have such options.

Not one bit, go guard/reserves. Get your 750, build hours fast at a good regional then apply to the majors.

I second that opinion. The AF allowed me to go places and do stuff that would otherwise have been impossible, plus it got me to a Legacy airline by age 30, with a savings account and no debt. In addition, I was reasonably assured of a secure job in case the airlines didn't hire for years. It seems unlikely today, but that could happen again. Guard/Reserve would have been a good deal, but at that time ('70s), most of their slots went to pilots with a few years of service, and Regional airlines were barely getting started, so the choice of Active Duty was pretty clear.

All roads lead through the T-6A which is where you will encounter and overcome the airsickness.

This said, it's a low number that washes out for that.


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Not sure what you consider very few but as a FAIP in the early 90's and the T-37 in summer, got 1-2 per class. Yearly average was just over 5%. Getting queasy and getting actively airsick are two completely different things, especially when you're under the microscope of the wonderful AETC. One thing for sure, the ones that worried about it, tended to be the ones that would get sick at least once. The spin and puke did cure a bunch though. Just my observation.

Don't let the guy who doesn't fly for airlines, or the guy who is retired tell you any different.

Go guard. If you can't do that, go reserves. As soon as you can, get hired by a regional and build up time as fast as you can.

You'll be years ahead of your active duty counterparts who have 10 year commitments AFTER pilot training and the crazy little schoolhouse in Washington.

Not saying I wouldn't recommend it but it wouldn't be my first choice. I spent a very short period on active duty and went to the guard. The great thing about the guard is you can be as active as you want or as part time as you want (airframe tempo driven). Your airplanes look and operate like new (mostly) or at least significantly better than your active counter parts. Some of the planes have the same crew chief as when the plane showed up on the ramp. the great thing about the guard is you get to fly with the same dudes for 20 yrs. The crappy thing about the guard is you have to fly with some of the same dudes for 20 years.

Bottom line would be bird in hand. I would apply to all, even if you are awarded one, continue pursuing all, then make the decision after that. Nothing says if you go active you have to stay for 20 or leave after the first assignment. It is up to you but it's better than putting all your eggs in one basket. Best of luck

So most people can get through it? I wouldn't say that I get sick easily but I've gotten seasick on deep sea fishing and got a little queezy on some aerobatic flights. Nothing too serious tho.

Yeah don't let that fear stop you, I just wasn't going to blow smoke up your ass and tell you nobody washes out due to airsickness.

Full disclosure, I have thrown up in my mask while flying a T-6 before.


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How about the Navy? Less RPAs but more helos....