Fighter Pilot?

Question

I'm in high school and I want to be a fighter pilot. I have looked into many different colleges, and Massachusetts Marritime looks like the best college for me. Anny Ideas of what to do to become a fighter pilot in order of what to do? thanksss!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

If you really want to be a fighter pilot, you have to be the most arrogant self fulfilled SOB on the planet. When you think about it, why would anyone in their right mind jump into a state of the art fighter and go duke it out with another supremely talented pilot flying a just as good aircraft who is equally as h**l bent on making sure YOU don't go home for supper. If you don't think you are the best thing that happened to the aviation world, you cannot be a fighter pilot, no matter how many thousands of hours flying you have.

Answer 2

Well the civilians who run them are former fighter guys, and actually they're fairly accurate for a close-in turning fight.

Anyway there's three basic steps for you:

1- Be accepted into a commissioning program: only officers are fighter pilots.  There are three ways to do this:

   a- Go to a Service Academy.  Competition is stiff, even with the war.  Your guidance counselors should have info on what to do.  Basically, you'll need great grades, alot of extracurricular activities that show leadership/initiative and a Congress recommend.

  b- ROTC. This is by far the most common.  You can do ANY service's ROTC btw.  There are 2 and 4 year programs; they also offer scholarships.  Complete the program and you'll be commissioned an Ensign/2Lt on graduation.

  c- OTS/OCS. This is for college graduates and traditionally for enlisted folks opting for a commission.  Slots are VERY competive for non-prior service applicants.

2-  You must pass a Class I Flight Physical.  Details vary from service to service, but in general for pilot

   vision:  20/20 uncorrected near and far.  No depth perception or astimagtism problems.  The USAF at least is accepting A FEW applicants with Corrective Surgery.  I'm hearing that LASIK is now approved, but frankly to be sure I'd go with PRK.  Realize that vision is one way that the services control intakes so this requirement changes all the time.

   health:  No high/low blood pressure.  No incidences of passing-out for more than 5 minutes since age 12.  Good hand/eye coordination.  No history of HIV, diabetes, obesity, cardio-conditions etc.  No issues with alcohol/drugs-smoking's discouraged but OK.

  "Moral health" for lack of a better term:  No felony arrests-period.  No misdemeanors that you did jail time for.  No DUI/DWI, no arrests for stuff like reckless driving or even excessive tickets (subjective).  HOWEVER, I was no saint; I streetraced and did my share of partying-no drugs though and I was accepted.  NOT that i'm encouraging this behavior.

If this seems pretty picky-you're exactly right.  Not everyone can/should do this-even fewer are selected to fly; even FEW of them fly fighters. Which brings me to:

3- Undergraduate Pilot Training:  To be accepted you have to get the two items above, AND be selected by a panel of senior aviators who will review your application package.  The single best, most powerful item you can have is a Private Pilot's License.  This shows to the board you have "rated potential" which is their subjective (this term will pop up a lot) assessment of your ability to hack the program, and be a pilot/nav.  Recommendations from active-duty aviators also help.  Finally, if you have student license or even just some time I'd include my logbook pages in the package.

Something else that will help now that you can do is join JROTC or Civil Air Patrol/Sea Scouts.  This shows your interest in the military-very positive.  Once you get this far you'll have to excel in both academics and flying.  Your aircraft is determined by needs of the USAF/USN, instructor recommends, and your preferences -in exactly that order.  Not unusual for a class of 50 or so for only 3-7 fighter slots to come down; these are hotly sought out.

If you have any other questions don't hesitate to PM me.

Answer 3

pick up some books at a local barnes and noble, or borders and pick up some books. good luck