My .02...
Does a PPL give you an advantage?
It sounds like those who have gone through the process more recently than I say it helps to GET the slot in the first place. As far as once you get in to UPT, I think it does help. My experience with two friends in my class (I went through tweets JUST after they grounded the T-3). Two guys had 0 hours (expecting to go through flight screening like everyone else) and washed out before solo. Point being that if they were on the same level as those that had experience going in, they probably would have done fine. Another guy had his CFII and did very well overall, but ironically enough hooked his instrument check. Goes to show, no matter how much experience you have, if yo screw up one thing bad enough or several little things, you can still hook.

As far as getting the PPL on your own first, think about this. Research the details of the AF paying for you to fly at an FBO. They may pay for 40 hours in order for you to get the rating, but they may not give that to you if you already have the PPL. If you want to go ahead and fly on your own first regardless if the AF will pay you for it, then consider NOT taking your checkride yet. That way the AF will essentially be paying you to build time. Then once the 40 free hrs is up, take the checkride.

This is an awfully long threat to get to the simple point. Do you like to fly or not? If so, go get your PPL and have fun flying! None of your efforts will be wasted in the long run.

Two to go!

My thoughts exactly, and what I'm doing right now.

Bubblemonkey,
I was in your shoes back in 97-98. I went to OTS with a UPT slot and then flew C-17's for 4 years and now flying the C-130J model. I could probably help answer a lot of questions. Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you would like.

This is false. They score you on several spots when looking for a pilot slot. They take several things into acountou can also that the PRK surgery to get into the airforce. I have had two students of mine that have had it. However you have to get it a certain amount of months prior because it take a long good while to heal everything. they say you have a slight fuzz in all your vision for the longest.

Keep an open mind for the Coast Guard also if you're interested in the C-130. I think prior flight experience would be of great assist to getting selected for flight school. I've been flying C-130's for 6+ years now and am really having a blast- we're quite short pilots right now and taking DCA's by the boatload (~50 apparently in the OCT board probably half fixed wing).

BubbleMonkey,

Good to hear you are going for the Private. Like many of the other posts I was in your shoes 10 years ago. Hopefully, just flying an airplane will keep you motivated to reach your goals. I guess I shouldn't say "just" flying, because it is a challenging skill no matter what platform you happen to be in.

Take Care,
LvgTHEdream

There were a few vision questions here.. the AF vision cutoff for pilots is 20/70 (correctable to 20/20). Outside of that, you must obtain a waiver. (I hear waivers are common btw.) But the waiver has a limit too, and that's 20/200.

Sorry if it has been suggested before but give baseops.net a shot. Lots of good info on how you could land that pilot slot. Good luck.

If you have the money, do it! I started my PPL in college during ROTC, but quit after 10 hours because the Air Force gave me a pilot slot. I was also in the transition years between the T-3 being grounded and the AF paying for 40 hours. I think it would have helped. I struggled at first, but I also agree with somebody elses post about the AF training evening people out in the end.

One other thought... We had a CFII who puked out before solo. The type of flying is very different than the PPL. So back to my first statement. If you have the money, do it, it won't hurt.