How do you get your wings in the airforce?

Question

Do you have to be a pilot or be in the air to get the wings insignia on your uniform?

Answer 1

There are loads of different "wings" in the USAF, like stated above, pilots take about 52 weeks.  Loadmasters are around 10 weeks.  Fixed wing Flight Engineers take 3 years of maintenance experience, then go to 6 weeks of Basic school, where you get your wings.  

Answer 2

You have to graduate from the respective academy in any branch of flying. You should have successfully completed the ground school and qualified on the relevant type of aircraft which is used for training in that particular academy. Overall completion of the prescribed course earns you your coveted wings.

Under the prevalent system in many air  forces, the wings earned on graduation must carry the pilot through the operational phases of flying on the allocated equipment, otherwise the wings could be taken off. This applies to pilots who fail to achieve operational status and are subsequently allowed to serve in the other non-flying branches in the service.

Half wings are awarded to other echelons of flying like navigation, flight engineering, load masters, aerial gunners (now nearly extinct) etc.

Answer 3

There are certain devices worn on the left breast of the Class A tunic and the Class B shirt, also afixed to utility uniforms.  All of them require graduation from a school of sort.  Some are shorter than others.

SUPT for the USAF is 52 weeks and it's a very big deal to walk across that stage and get your wings.

Answer 4

Yes i believe so...