What qualifications do you need to be a fighter pilot?

Question

What qualifications do you need to be a fighter pilot?

Answer 1

A Bachelors degree, preferably from a military academy. Aside from that, you need absolutely exellent grades, good volunteer work, extrracurricular activities, honors, etc. The most likely way to get in is through an academy, which in the U.S. needs all of the above, plus a congressional recommendation.The U.S. Air force, Nay, Marines, the RAF, and all of the rest all look for the absolute top candidates. They get thousands of people looking for that job and only a fraction get the job. Basically, work yourself harder than you think is possible. Type-A personalities only. Your attitude needs to be set to take on all opposition. Good luck!

Answer 2

you need a minimum of a C GCSE in maths and english, you need good eyesight and you need to be shorter than 6ft

Answer 3

I believe that the ability to fly a plane may help a tad there old bean.

Answer 4

You have to be taller than 6'2" I think....

Answer 5

a plane would help

Answer 6

Really depends on what country you reside, however the following steps are pretty much standard.  Since I've been through the USAF; I'll use that as an example:

1- You MUST be accepted into a commissioning program.  Usually one picks aviation when applying, then assuming you meet the quals (more on this below), if you get a commission you're off to pilot training.

2- You have to meet ( and preferably exceed. This will be true for EVERY evaluation related to your desired profession from here til you separate/retire) the standards for appitude tests, the officer qualifying test(s) and the place where most folks crash-and-burn:the Class I Flight Physical.  These min standards change continuously, but the basics don't:

          a: Vision 20/20 or better near and far.  No astigmatism, or other vision issues.  Laser corrective MAY be acceptable, I would certainly consult with a flight surgeon before cutting.  In fact, if your vision's bad you wish to secure a nav slot, THEN undergo surgery and convert to a pilot slot.

          b:  Superior general health:  no asthma, no severe allergies, no history of heart problems, obesity, diabetes, high/low blood pressure etc.  Certainly nothing like Hepatitis, HIV or other chronic issues.

          c:  Superior "moral" health for lack of a better term:  no felonies, no jail time for misdemeanors (also going to depend on the misdemeanor as well), no history of drug use -though "experimentation" with pot is possibly acceptable.  No history of alcohol abuse.  If you're married, no history of domestic violence.  No DWIs/DUIs.  Oh yeah, you'll have to list ALL your traffic tickets as well.  Why?  Well, it's a judgement thing:  if you don't have the judgement to know how to handle a car; why should we entrust you with a $40M aircraft, possibly carrying nukes?

Realize that full disclosure is always best: I used to street race, and did my share of drinking in school, though no drugs, and I was selected.

        d:  Recommend you at least get your student pilot's license before submitting your application.  

3- After commissioning, regardless of source you will need to EXCEL at pilot training.  Track selection is dependent on your class standing, instructor recommends, and your preference; in THAT order.  Aircraft selection after track is also based on the same criteria.  Note that fighters are pretty d**n popular, so you need to up in the top 10% of your class AT LEAST to guarantee a fighter.

4- After that, you must do well at Lead-In Fighter Training.  I knew pilot guys when I went through, who excelled at the air-ground portion, but just couldn't hack air-air stuff.

Good luck, and don't take "no" for the first answer.  Your persistance will be seen as a postive attribute.

Answer 7

Step 1:

Decide which branch of the service you would like to join. Navy and Marine Corps fighters fly off of aircraft carriers and deploy to sea for six months at a time.

Step 2:

Enter an officer program. You must be an officer to fly in any of these services. Paths exist from the Naval or Air Force Academies, Navy or Air Force ROTC and Officer Candidate or Training School.

Step 3:

Find out if you meet the physical requirements. The requirements to fly are stricter than the regular commissioning requirements, especially regarding eye sight. There are also size requirements; you must fit in the cockpit.

Step 4:

Choose aviation as your career field upon your commission. Do as well as possible in your commissioning program to give yourself the best chance at getting your top choice. You will get to request the field of your choice, but the military will have the final say.

Step 5:

Go to flight school. Initial flight training will be the same regardless of the type of aircraft that you will be flying. Again, strong performance is vital.

Step 6:

Pick jets or fighter or bomber depending on your branch of service for the next level of flight training. The flight students are broken up into tracks such as helicopter, propeller or jets. Not everyone gets their top choice.

Step 7:

Get in good physical condition. Physical fitness is important throughout officer and flight training.

Answer 8

apparently some really good A-levels

xx

not sure why though

Answer 9

www.raf.mod.uk - Would amke a fine start, and by the way the qualifications a pritty much a non event when your being selected for fighter pilot, its who you are that counts not it says you can do on paper1

Answer 10

to be able to fly a plane would be a start!

Answer 11

prolly 2020 vision

Answer 12

A bit of foldy paper and a pair of boxing gloves........?