Air Force ROTC pilot candidates complete Introductory Flight
Training (IFT) after selection by the HQ AFROTC Pilot Categorization
board and prior to enrollment in Specialized Undergraduate Pilot
Training (SUPT). IFT may be completed pre- or post commissioning.
The program includes both ground and flight training and may
be provided by either a local civilian fixed base operator (FBO)
or aero club.
Categorization normally occurs in your junior year based on
a very competitive selection process. Factors considered include
military performance, leadership ability, academic performance,
and physical fitness.
If you are not selected for a pilot or navigator allocation,
you are still required to complete your AFROTC training and
serve on active duty for a minimum of 4 years.
After graduating from college and completing all Air Force
ROTC requirements, you'll be commissioned as a second lieutenant
in the Air Force. Navigators must serve a minimum of 6 years
on active duty after completing training, and pilots 10 years
after training.
Introductory Flight Training
The Introductory Flight Training (IFT) program was developed
as an attempt to lower attrition rates at Specialized Undergraduate
Pilot Training (SUPT) following a temporary halt of T-3A flying
operations. Previously, the Air Force relied on the Enhanced
Flight Screening Program in the T-3A Firefly to screen and prepare
pilot candidates for the rigors of SUPT, both at Hondo, Texas,
and the US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado.
In November 1998, the IFT program "stood up" and flew
its first student at the direction of the Commander, Air Education
and Training Command to address the attrition rates at SUPT.
Program Requirements
The IFT program has two requirements: Complete 40 hours of
flying and solo during the 40 hours. These requirements were
established because they represent characteristics of successful
SUPT candidates according to statistics derived from the analysis
of SUPT students in recent years.
Exceptions
for Enrollment
IFT must be completed by SUPT candidates in order to attend
SUPT unless:
A cadet or commissioned officer holds a Private Pilot License
or greater or;
A cadet or commissioned officer has completed the Enhanced Flight
Screening Program in the T-3A.
Program Goals
The goal of IFT is to reduce the attrition rate at SUPT. This
is accomplished by introducing qualified candidates to the fundamentals
of aviation. Students are exposed to the fundamentals of aviation
during their 40 hours of civilian flight instruction in a program
which leads to a Private Pilot License, with a solo during the
40 hours.
Program
Restrictions
In order to ensure responsible use of government resources,
IFT program managers have established some important restrictions.
The program requires that students fly the most economical
aircraft at the IFT provider with whom they are training. In
accordance with procedures for special situations, IFT program
managers may authorize a different aircraft to be flown if there
are proven extenuating circumstances. Since the goal of the
program is to introduce students to the fundamentals of flight,
high performance and/or expensive aircraft are not authorized
in the IFT program.
According to the AETC Policy Message dated 12 Mar 1999 from
AETC/DO, while participating in the IFT program, students are
prohibited from participation in other flying activities until
IFT completion.
Air Force ROTC has a very competitive program
for qualified people who desire to become a pilot or navigator.
Air Force ROTC helps you pursue a degree while earning a commission
as an Air Force officer. It can be your ticket into the special
world of flying. Air Force ROTC offers a four-year and a two-year
program. 
Maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average