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SUPT (Specialized
Undergraduate Pilot Training) |
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Applying for Pilot
Training
The application process for pilot training can begin as early as
high school. Well, more truthfully the steps to becoming an Air
Force pilot begin in high school. Pilots slots are given to Academy,
ROTC, OTS and even active-duty applicants. You do have to be an
officer to fly in the Air Force, so whatever comissioning source
you choose will be the best source of information on specifics.
I could open up with a huge debate on the best route, but this really
isn't the place (visit the message board
for that). Generally speaking your best chances of getting a pilot
slot will be at the Air Force Academy. ROTC would follow, with OTS
and active-duty applicants having the most difficult time getting
a slot. This is mostly a result of the number of slots that are
alloted to each commissioning source.
The requirements can change dramadically depending on the current and projected needs of the
Air Force. For the most uptodate information, talk with local Air Force organization or visit
www.af.mil. In the early 90s it was not unheard of for officers
to be on 2-3 year waiting lists to go to pilot training. By the late 90s, the Air Force was
lowering requirements (such as eyesight req's) to get as many applicants as possible.
Currently, in 2005 the have started cutting back on the flow of trainees as their projections
see a surplus in pilots.
As a rule of thumb, you can get a pilot slot if you do well in school (that C average won't cut it),
stay out of trouble (no tickets, DUIs, etc), have a strong interest in aviation,
and are a well-liked person (in other words, don't be a jerk). Getting your pilot's license early
isn't a requirement, but it can definently help you out.
Most of this is just opinion, so don't plan on using this as your guidebook. Stay in touch
with a commissioning source to get the latest information. Best of luck to you!!!
Pilot Training Bases Include:
Moody AFB, GA (currently only flying Phase 2 T-6s)
Columbus AFB, MS
Laughlin AFB, TX (has T-6 aircraft)
Vance AFB, OK
Air Force SUPT Phase 1 - Academics
Phase 1 is a 5 week period of Academic flight training in which
no flying takes place. Students also are trained in the operation
of the ejection and life support systems for their aircraft. Phase
1 study material, or "gouge" is available here.
Air Force SUPT Phase 2 - T-37 or T-6 flight training
This is where the flying begins, consisting of approximentally
5 months of training in a T-37 jet trainer (Moody AFB and Laughlin
AFB are replacing the T-37s with new T-6s). Phase 2 is where students
'learn' the basics of flying. Their training in the T-37 "Tweet"
is broken down into the Contact, Instrument, and Formation training
blocks. Contact is mostly geared toward learning general flying
techniques, including aerobatics. The Instrument training is conducted
both locally and off base during a 4-day cross country where the
students fly as far as 900 miles away from their UPT base.
Phase 2 study material, or "gouge" is available here.
Air Force SUPT Phase 3 - T-1, T-44, T-38, or UH-1 flight training
You could be flying either a T-38 (Fighter/Bomber track), T-1 (Cargo/Refueler
track), T-44 at Corpus Christi NAS,Texas (C-130/C-21 track) or a
UH-1 (helicopters) at Ft Rucker, AL. Phase 3 lasts approximently
6 months and is heavily geared toward the type of aircraft students
will be flying upon graduation. The T-38 students, for example,
place a heavy emphasis on formation, while T-1s fly a lot of instrument/navigation
missions. After students have finished with Phase 3, they graduate
with their wings and are officially Air Force pilots!
Phase 3 study material, or "gouge" is available here.
Follow On Training (after pilot training):
C-17s - Altus AFB, OK
C-5 - Altus AFB, OK
KC-135 - Altus AFB, OK
C-21 - Keesler AFB
RC-135 - Offut AFB
F-16 - Luke AFB, AZ
A-10 - Davis Monthan AFB - AZ
F-15 - Eglin AFB, FL
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