Back After A Year How's It Looking
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 109
Back After A Year How's It Looking
Hey folks!
BAck after a year I thought I had left this dream for good. But it seems I just can't shake the aviation bug.
For now I have decided to pursue my undergrad about 2 years left. Then a PA(Physician Assistant) program it's about 2-3 years. Then Air Force PA either through HPSP or direct commission. Cuz no way in hell I can pay all that debt.
My questions are
1) How is the industry looking. Rebound/Recovery or a long a$$ drought/decline for a long time?
2)Can I learn to fly in the Air Force if I'm an officer but not a Pilot?? One gal on YT said AF has a flight club/school??
3) Anyway I could transition to being a pilot in the Air Force after I serve my 3 years AD and 3 years Rsrv
BAck after a year I thought I had left this dream for good. But it seems I just can't shake the aviation bug.
For now I have decided to pursue my undergrad about 2 years left. Then a PA(Physician Assistant) program it's about 2-3 years. Then Air Force PA either through HPSP or direct commission. Cuz no way in hell I can pay all that debt.
My questions are
1) How is the industry looking. Rebound/Recovery or a long a$$ drought/decline for a long time?
2)Can I learn to fly in the Air Force if I'm an officer but not a Pilot?? One gal on YT said AF has a flight club/school??
3) Anyway I could transition to being a pilot in the Air Force after I serve my 3 years AD and 3 years Rsrv
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 534
1) I’d say there’s some indication of bookings picking up / signs of life, if you will. Imo it’ll really depends on how the virus vs vaccine situation plays out…hard to know for sure what the recovery will look like.
2) Many air force bases have “Aero Clubs”…it’s basically an FBO on the base where you can rent planes and take lessons for a bit of a discount. Just to be clear though this is a civilian run operation and even if you’re active duty you still have to pay to rent the planes, get the instruction, etc. So even if you’re assigned to a base that doesn’t have an Aero Club you can still go downtown (or where ever) and get lessons on your own..basically the same thing (arguably better...less paperwork, less hoops).
3) I’m not exactly sure how it works for the medical folks. For all other officers (Finance officers, Navigators, etc.) there are active duty UPT boards…so these officers can put in a package (commander’s recommendation, AFOQT scores, etc.) and, if chosen, head off to UPT (incurs a 10 year commitment last I knew). The boards were held every six months or so back in my day but it all depended on how many pilots were needed…I recall for awhile there were none (not sure what the current situation is). I'm sure theres some process for medical folks and - maybe it's the same? just not sure about that one.
2) Many air force bases have “Aero Clubs”…it’s basically an FBO on the base where you can rent planes and take lessons for a bit of a discount. Just to be clear though this is a civilian run operation and even if you’re active duty you still have to pay to rent the planes, get the instruction, etc. So even if you’re assigned to a base that doesn’t have an Aero Club you can still go downtown (or where ever) and get lessons on your own..basically the same thing (arguably better...less paperwork, less hoops).
3) I’m not exactly sure how it works for the medical folks. For all other officers (Finance officers, Navigators, etc.) there are active duty UPT boards…so these officers can put in a package (commander’s recommendation, AFOQT scores, etc.) and, if chosen, head off to UPT (incurs a 10 year commitment last I knew). The boards were held every six months or so back in my day but it all depended on how many pilots were needed…I recall for awhile there were none (not sure what the current situation is). I'm sure theres some process for medical folks and - maybe it's the same? just not sure about that one.
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 109
1) I’d say there’s some indication of bookings picking up / signs of life, if you will. Imo it’ll really depends on how the virus vs vaccine situation plays out…hard to know for sure what the recovery will look like.
2) Many air force bases have “Aero Clubs”…it’s basically an FBO on the base where you can rent planes and take lessons for a bit of a discount. Just to be clear though this is a civilian run operation and even if you’re active duty you still have to pay to rent the planes, get the instruction, etc. So even if you’re assigned to a base that doesn’t have an Aero Club you can still go downtown (or where ever) and get lessons on your own..basically the same thing (arguably better...less paperwork, less hoops).
3) I’m not exactly sure how it works for the medical folks. For all other officers (Finance officers, Navigators, etc.) there are active duty UPT boards…so these officers can put in a package (commander’s recommendation, AFOQT scores, etc.) and, if chosen, head off to UPT (incurs a 10 year commitment last I knew). The boards were held every six months or so back in my day but it all depended on how many pilots were needed…I recall for awhile there were none (not sure what the current situation is). I'm sure theres some process for medical folks and - maybe it's the same? just not sure about that one.
2) Many air force bases have “Aero Clubs”…it’s basically an FBO on the base where you can rent planes and take lessons for a bit of a discount. Just to be clear though this is a civilian run operation and even if you’re active duty you still have to pay to rent the planes, get the instruction, etc. So even if you’re assigned to a base that doesn’t have an Aero Club you can still go downtown (or where ever) and get lessons on your own..basically the same thing (arguably better...less paperwork, less hoops).
3) I’m not exactly sure how it works for the medical folks. For all other officers (Finance officers, Navigators, etc.) there are active duty UPT boards…so these officers can put in a package (commander’s recommendation, AFOQT scores, etc.) and, if chosen, head off to UPT (incurs a 10 year commitment last I knew). The boards were held every six months or so back in my day but it all depended on how many pilots were needed…I recall for awhile there were none (not sure what the current situation is). I'm sure theres some process for medical folks and - maybe it's the same? just not sure about that one.
How does the guard/reserve route work for 3). Same 10 year commitment??
If things pick up then I think training on my own>regional>major may be a faster route. If things stay same or get worse then UPT is a safer bet.
Through no fault of my own if this aviation bug inside stays just a dream. At least I'll have a good stable career. To jump back into.
Also, I heard LCCs and ULCCs will lead the charge in recovery.
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 534
I'm assuming these aero clubs may be few and far between, right? I think AF academy has one, no??
How does the guard/reserve route work for 3). Same 10 year commitment??
If things pick up then I think training on my own>regional>major may be a faster route.
Through no fault of my own if this aviation bug inside stays just a dream. At least I'll have a good stable career. To jump back into.
Also, I heard LCCs and ULCCs will lead the charge in recovery.
How does the guard/reserve route work for 3). Same 10 year commitment??
If things pick up then I think training on my own>regional>major may be a faster route.
Through no fault of my own if this aviation bug inside stays just a dream. At least I'll have a good stable career. To jump back into.
Also, I heard LCCs and ULCCs will lead the charge in recovery.
Guard/reserves - NOT a 10 year commitment. I'm not sure the specifics on this though since I was active duty. Hopefully a guard person will chime in. Without a doubt though this is a sweet way to go if you want to have the experience of being a mil pilot while getting an early start in the airlines.
#6
Guard/reserves - NOT a 10 year commitment. I'm not sure the specifics on this though since I was active duty. Hopefully a guard person will chime in. Without a doubt though this is a sweet way to go if you want to have the experience of being a mil pilot while getting an early start in the airlines.
Guard/reserves - NOT a 10 year commitment. I'm not sure the specifics on this though since I was active duty. Hopefully a guard person will chime in. Without a doubt though this is a sweet way to go if you want to have the experience of being a mil pilot while getting an early start in the airlines.
#7
3) I’m not exactly sure how it works for the medical folks. For all other officers (Finance officers, Navigators, etc.) there are active duty UPT boards…so these officers can put in a package (commander’s recommendation, AFOQT scores, etc.) and, if chosen, head off to UPT (incurs a 10 year commitment last I knew). The boards were held every six months or so back in my day but it all depended on how many pilots were needed…I recall for awhile there were none (not sure what the current situation is). I'm sure theres some process for medical folks and - maybe it's the same? just not sure about that one.
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Posts: 534
I'm pretty sure it's going to work out to about a ten year obligation all said and done, but only about the first 2-3 should be full-time active duty for initial training, the rest would be weekend-warrior status. Not counting whatever dets/deployments/mobs you might get sent on.
Last edited by Gordie H; 03-01-2021 at 06:16 PM.
#9
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Nov 2018
Posts: 109
Other than physicians who could apply for very limited flight-surgeon/pilot slots, they probably will not allow other medical professionals to just re-designate to pilot. Degreed medical pros are a perpetual recruiting and retention challenge for the mil. They can always find somebody else to fly.
How you holdin up in this roller coaster??
#10
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