Slice

There are guys with plenty of hours that have washed out of UPT. I'd venture to guess most had a poor attitude versus a lack of flying skill. UPT goes way beyond private pilot stuff, to include: instruments, formation, aerobatics, low level navigation... Students have flown before showing up to UPT unless they have totally eliminated flight screening or whatever they call it these days. Not to be a dick, but you're a Navy rescue swimmer. You haven't been to UPT and don't know what it's like. Kudos for being a rescue swimmer though, I'd probably drown...

USMCFLYR

[quote=Acoustic2;408658]You wont wash out- not a chance. UPT is primary flight training (Private pilot stuff)- you've been through all of that already.

Your a very experienced pilot...compared to your potential UPT classmates (They likely have never manipulated flight controls in their life)

This is ABSOLUTELY the wrong attitiude to go into UPT with! I'm not AF but I imagine that USN/USMC flight training is very similiar.

First off - there are some instructors that would just love to put some 1,000 hr civilian pilot in their place and I guarantee you that they would be able to because so much of the grading is subjective. Second - I had only 300 hours going into training and I found most of it enjoyable and kept a good attitude about learning to do things the NAVY way and passed with no problems - but I had never flown a turboprop or done formation flying or AOA landings for example. I felt that my flight experience helped me in Primary, but we were all equal once we got to the mighty T-2C (yes - back in the day)

Getting through UPT wouldn't be the only problem though. Right now in the training for fleet aircraft we have a 3,000+ TT former RJ guy/Caravan pilot doing very well. On the other hand we have TWO FORMER S-3 fleet experienced guys and another former corporate guy who not doing very well and it is still not sure that they will even pass the course. Like Slice said - attitude plays a major role!

USMCFLYR

HercDriver130

What a load of crap. UPT or Navy flight school is a hell of alot more than PPL stuff. Like slice said above. That said....your current ability will carry you pretty far, especially in the instrument phase of training. I admit the training is much different today than when I went thru in 85-86. Now its tracked for Fighters and Transports. The venerable T-37 is nearly gone, replaced by the highly capable T-6 Texan II. In my day it was an era of 50%+ washouts, that is not the case today. However, it is a training program and opportunity I personally would not pass up. REMEMBER that the NEEDS of the military come first. Attitude and desire will get you as far in UPT as ability. For me personally UPT was probably the single best year of my life ( and the worst at times as well ). As a military pilot whether flying fighters or heavies you will have the opportunity to fly missions you would only dream of from the outside.

So yea... I say go for the UPT slot, civilian aviation will still be here when you get back.... Good Luck.

Cessnadriver

One other thing that sort of scares me is the possibility of getting a UAV. Any idea of the number of those they're thinking of handing out?

akaviator

Go serve your country. You've got 40 years ahead of you to get career goals sorted out, and flying for the U.S. of A. is a noble and worthy thing to do.

There are increased risks over civilian aviation, but there are a lot of guys willing to put their butt on the line and defend our freedom.

I was a soldier, and my son currently serves in the 82nd Airborne, so the reality of the risks are close to home.

cencal83406

Hey Cessnadriver you started a *great* thread. I just got hired at a regional and I am considering getting into the ANG or something to do the mil flying thing. I am wondering the same things about keeping my job, especially considering I wasn't IN the military prior to starting the job. I guess the other question would be - WILL I be able to fly airplanes, even in UPT? I've got 20/400 (well last time I checked, last year, so it's been stable for a little bit) correctable to 20/20 and I use contacts. I've so far held off with military because if I don't get a chance to fly I'm not interested at all.

downinthegroove

you will fly plenty of airplanes in UPT. For the AF. You need to read up if you think it's a part time gig that can supplement your regional job. When you get there no one will care that you fly a Saab or a RJ. You will be expected to fly nearly everyday the AF way. You will be on formal release doing early morning reports 5 days a week until released. 12 hour days min.

Educate yourself before you speculate. UPT is not something you can go into and take lightly. The flying is not automated just shooting approaches. It is a whole different world that most don't even realize exists. On top of that you will have the demands of being an officer and conducting yourself as such.

Good luck but read up.

downinthegroove

Oh yea, and if you read the whole thread you will see that I posted that zero AD predators were assigned. Only one went to a BRAC'd AFR unit. Not a big deal especially the rumor is/was that they are going to pointy nose guys.

Attention to detail.

cencal83406

I'm not taking it lightly (perhaps I conveyed my previous message that way) and I don't mean to hijack this guys thread into my personal questions.... the reason I ask about flying is because for years upon years recruiters told me "you can be a navigator". I'm willing to put in the effort and work I just have crappy "uncorrected" vision that I can get to 20/20.

I also wanted to mention that no, I didn't miss anything about the predators and I suppose if they told me I'd be doing that I wouldn't mind but I would join to fly in the air, not at a desk.

downinthegroove

Vision can be correctable to "20/20".

Unless you are ANG or AFR you do not know what you are flying when you enter UPT.

What you fly is determined by your performance. Which is graded subjectively with attitude factored in highly.