Inter-service transfers to the AF are currently on hold. But that seems to change on a frequent basis.
A few years ago, Army Blackhawk pilots were being given a commission in the AF if they would come over to fly our Blackhawks.
Call AF Personnel Center at DSN 665-3708/3711, and if you are lucky enough to get them to answer, let them know you are an Army helo pilot looking to transfer to the AF.

I wouldn't bother with the IST route...that's been a dead end for a while. At best an IST would lead to a RW position anyway (that's what I originally applied for back in 1998...an IST into the UH-1N...but halfway through the process it was shut down). If you apply through a recruiter for OTS, it's just as if you're off the street. You'll need to ensure there is no remaining ADSC (or a conditional release if there is), and you incur a break in service, but its definitely the way you need to go if your desire is FW flying.

I was considering doing the same thing (CW2 -60M pilot here), but my 6-year flight school ADSO wouldn't end until I was almost 29. I'd need to get a conditional release unless there's a better way around it.... or if ANG did age waivers for prior-service aviators (doubt it).

+1

I know the grass is always greener, but as a 20 year AD guy to do it all over I'd have gone reserves.

I have said this before in another ancient thread on the same topic or maybe on another forum. The rules on Army RW guys coming to the AF are not set in stone. For every rule, it seems like there is an exception. In thirteen years of doing Phase II, I have seen all sorts of crazy things. I have seen an AF Lt Col who went to RW UPT as a Lt, then get command of a FW Spec Ops deal to fly a 130 variant, have to come back to FWQ. I have seen an Aarmy guy who could not pass a physical based on hearing, get his aeronautical rating converted to AF equivalent so he could wear AF pilot wings. Then because he was a rated AF pilot, his hearing was waivable, but he went through full up UPT to Boise to fly A-10s. I've seen Army guys hired into ANG/ARC units do full UPT with their Army wings. Right now, there are two dudes at FWQ, and each one was told they were to be the last FWQ guys at different times, who are both way over 30. Their units converted them via FEB process to AF equivalent ratings, so they are now AF pilots going to FW UPT. I think if FWQ ever truly goes away, an Army guy who gets his wings converted would be able to go to UPT over 30, if a ANG/AFRES unit wanted to hire them and jump the hoops to make it happen. Slightly different subject but the age limit for units in conversion and losing their Nav/WSO/EWO/CSO (what ever they are this week and next week) positions as in 130E/H to J or RPA is 34 for those folks. The supposedly last two guys in FWQ are both over that number.

RotaryPilot167--when you have enough posts to PM, send me one, and I will get you in touch with one of the guys in FWQ. Great dude and he will be happy to help you. He is about a month into T-1s, so after his first check ride in about another month, things will calm down and he will have time to answer some questions.

What A Great Idea, Now Only If There Was A "Air ForceTo Airline.orG" and "Navy To Airline.Org"!

I don't know if you are active duty or not, but I got a conditional release. My 6 years would also have put me out to 29, but I managed to get released from the Army Guard and was in UPT by my 27th birthday. All I can say is it doesn't hurt to ask...

Thank you very much for the insight. I have been following information flow from APTAP.org and there are a lot of people claiming the FWQ course is canceled (unofficially). Looks like it's still up and running. At the very least, it looks like there's exception to every rule. Paperwork makes the military world go 'round.


I am active duty; I guess I am a little concerned about asking only because I do not want to rub the command the wrong way, especially if USAF OTS/UPT does not work out for me. However, as with most things in life, you don't know until you try.

As far as I know, the only way to get a conditional release is if one is part of a reserve component and one wants to make the move to active duty. Is there a conditional release equivalency for active duty (specifically Army)? I could see where it may be a lot more difficult if I were already an RLO, but being from an over-strength helicopter community as a warrant officer to a commissioning program in another service seems more likely.