How To become an Airforce Pilot?

Question

I'm 15 and want to know right after highschools how do i get the airforce to pay for college and become a fighter pilot i'm already taking private pilot lessons that should help me. I went to the website it doesn't tell me how to become an officer do i enlist first or talk to a recruiter. my big thing is getting through college and being a fighter pilot.

Answer 1

I'm sorry, I just don't have the time to answer this appropriately but the answers given by Larry and Jim are right on.  The other answers are grossly misinformed.  Take a look at www.airwarriors.com.  This is primarily a Navy/Marine Corps info website but Air Force is discussed as well.  Congratulations.  Taking initiative for your future is a big step for adults but it is monumental for a teenager.  Keep trying and don't give up.  I will try to come back and answer this question later.

Answer 2

Larry gave you a great answer, amid the outright BS listed here.  Yes there are OFFICER recruiters, the USAF does use enlisted recruiters to recruit officers.  There's two ways to get the USAF to shell out for school:  1- The Academy.  You'll need great (not perfect) grades a history of extracurricular activities and some recommendations by your congressman and/or senior officers.  The second way is via ROTC:  there are 2,3,4 year full-ride academic scholarships available to you.

Once you complete college, a commissioning program are an accepted into Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT), three factors will decide your aviation fate:

1- "Needs of the Air Force"-this means that your class may only get a couple fighters, or none, or several.  Also, while the highest performers usually get their choice-other weapon systems need good sticks too.  

2- Class ranking/Instructor recommends.  This is  where your private flying (GREAT IDEA-the single most important thing you can have on your SUPT application package BTW) normally pays off.  Your instructors are always evaluating you formally of course, and informally.  You have to show you are the guy who thinks at 11 miles/minute; you do this through your academic and flying scores.  Higher in the class, more likely you are to get your first or second choice.  

3- Personal preference.  Yes the AF actually tries to reconcile your preferences with 1  & 2 above-doesn't always work of course.  

To get that fighter works like this:

For a class of 25-30 let's say you're living right and 1x Eagle, 1xA10, 1x Viper and 1x Raptor came down (this would be very rare BTW).  That's four: if you're in the top 4 outta 30, congratulations.  If you're number five or less, assuming all the guys ahead of you wanted fast-movers you're outta luck.  Of course if one of the top students wants say, Bones or B2s that would free up one fighter for next person down-assuming they wanted it.  

You can see as Larry pointed out, that you need to work hard and EXCEL at SUPT.  It's difficult but guys/gals do it every year.  Heck I did via UNT (navigator school) and I'm no genius.

Answer 3

Go to a college that has an AFROTC program.  

Apply for an AFROTC college scholarship.

Answer 4

You really have two options.  Get in to the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, or go to a college that has an AFROTC program.  It's worth pointing out that the AFA is nearly impossible to get in to with a near 4.0 gpa and tons of extra-curricular activities.  You also need a recommendation from a congressman or senator.  The Air Force Reserves Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) also has fairly high standards.  You would need above a 3.5 and do well in all aspects of school.  On the upside, if you get into either of these programs your college and flight training is paid for by the military.  

And I hate to break it to you but private pilot lessons aren't really a deciding factor in whether you get in or not.  They like that you already know the principles of flight but military flying is nothing like civilian flying and all the bad habits you develop over time, as every pilot does, they just have to work that much harder to break once you're in the military.        They'd actually rather just start with a blank slate.  If you're interested one thing that could be helpful is join the Civil Air Patrol (CAP).  Being a pilot for them or just being in the program would look fantastic on your application.

Answer 5

It's not the age that dictates whether an aircraft is retired. It's based more on economics and "cycles" (departures and landings). A newer aircraft that has many cycles will have more wear and tear on it than an older aircraft that has fewer cycles. Aircraft manufacturers certify their aircraft for a maximum number of cycles, not a maximum age.

Aircraft are retired when they have enough cycles that it is no longer economically feasible to keep repairing them and flying them. They are also retired if they use too much fuel and it is cheaper to replace them with newer, more economical aircraft.

Most airline fleets have an average age of under twenty years. However, there are a few exceptions. Northwest still flies DC-9's from the 1960's.

Yes, damaged aircraft can be repaired and safely flown if the damage is not too severe. It's no different that your car. Would you junk a perfectly good car because of a dent in the fender? Of course not. You would have the fender replaced. Airlines do the same thing. On the other hand, you would junk it if the car would no longer be safe to drive or if it costs more to fix than the car is worth. Airlines do the same thing

Answer 6

College first, then maybe pilot school...Don't enlist first...Recruiters will lie to you and then it will be to late and you might get stuck being a cop or janitor...Good luck!!

Answer 7

Air Force and Navy (military) pilot program is probably the MOST difficult program (college) that is out there.  Here are the steps

First talk to your HS guidance counselor.

(1) get great scores in HS

(2) stay out of trouble (no underage drinking, etc.)

(3) get a commission (recommendation) from a U.S. congressman

(4) get accepted to AF/Navy program

(5) study hard

(6) graduate

(7) fly

(8) be happy.

Only officers become pilots.  And only college grads become officers.  The competition to become AF/Navy pilot is fearce.

===

Don't go to military recruiters.  They don't recruit officers.  Officers are COMMISSIONED by congressmen (YES THE FEDERAL US CONGRESS)

Good Luck...

Answer 8

dbunnfly -

Oh my - seems to be a lot of misunderstanding out there. First, all pilots are officers, and all officers have a college degree - except for a very few who have field commissions, but that really does not happen these days. So, first, get good enough grades in high school so that you can get into a four year college with a degree that you are interested in. Second, there are three ways to become an officer:

1. ROTC (Reserve Officer's Training Corps) - you will take classes in military applications throughout your otherwise normal college curriculum. You will attend a couple of intensive summer training camps - like basic training. Then you will receive a commission upon graduation. I started out this way and decided not to complete it, but took step 2 instead.

2. OTS (Officer's Training School) - After getting your degree, you will attend a 3+ month intensive training course at Lackland AFB in Texas. Upon completion of the course, which is tough, you will receive an officer's commission. This is the route I took, and it was interesting to say the least.

3. Air Force Academy - In this scenario, you get your college degree from the Academy, and get your commission at the same time. This is the only method that requires congressional support, which is part of the application process.

Once you have your degree AND your officer's commission - assuming you got through all that, there are still the following requirements that have to be met before you become a pilot:

1. Pilot training - about 1 year of training in jet aircraft at one of several bases located in the southern states. I went through at Columbus AFB, Ms - a great assignment. ADDED: Usually, 1/4 to 1/3 of the class washes out because they cannot get used to being in the air, can't handle the basic math, etc.

2. Land survival training - a couple weeks of simulated environment behind enemy lines on the ground. Not fun, but very valuable.

3. Water survival training - a similar course for survival at sea. Not fun, but interesting.

4. Continuous maintenance of top-notch physical and mental condition. No whining allowed. Constant discipline and conduct becoming an officer and a gentleman at all times - on and off duty.

5. Specific training in your assigned aircraft. You will have very little choice as to whether that assignment involves a fighter, bomber, transport, etc. If you are right at the top of your pilot training class, you may get some choice, but you will learn early on that the needs of the Air Force come way before your own desires.

Finally, you must understand before you go in that the purpose of flying combat aircraft is not an airshow. It's combat. You must be willing to enter into active combat situations that may involve your sudden and unexpected demise - no matter how good a pilot you are - for your country. The purpose of the U.S. military as currently configured is honorable and necessary, but it involves killing people and breaking things.    

If you are strong and want it badly enough, you may just make it. If you have any doubts, then you should consider other options at this time.

ADDED: By the way, there are always recruiters who work with officer's programs - and they are very helpful and very professional - but they will tell you the same thing - get your degree first.

Answer 9

talk to a recruiter, i did and the sergeant and the recruiter wanted me in, well that was just for a riffleman but yes talk to a recruiter and go go go from there put your all in and go. be the best at what you do

Answer 10

first talk to a guidence councillor at your school. then maybe he or she can set up a time to meet with a recruiter .  usually highschools have a day set asside where military officers are available for questions.