Air Force Class Sizes?

Question

I want to join the Air Force and, like every other person who joins, wants to be a fighter pilot. I know that the odds are against me and that it mostly depends on the needs of the Air Force and about 3 people from one class become fighter pilots, how many people are in one class? And what are things that will higher my odds of being picked the most? Like having a license to fly a plane before I join or being higher academically? Would time with the Air Force take up a lot of personal life? Are all tours of duty like on aircraft carriers spending months from home or are their alternatives like flying out of an airbase from the U.S? I know im getting ahead of myself but please any help would be greatly appreciated, especially what answers me questions. Thank-you!

Answer 1

classes are generally 1-2 dozen.  Sometimes slightly smaller (~10) or larger (~27).  In the same drop, the bigger class will get roughly proportionally more slots.  To have a better chance, do better in pilot training.  Having flight time should help you do that, but a pilot's license in itself does nothing at all to help.  Better grades before pilot training don't help your class rank either.  Yes, the Air Force will take up a lot of your time---especially pilot training.  We don't spend our time on carriers.  You can expect to spend your time off with family unless you are flying overseas or deployed.  You might not get as much time off as a civilian job, but you'll see your family much more than average Navy type