What should I do? Help?

Question

I wish to be a airline pilot.How should I get there? Air force or the civilian way? I'm in the JR ROTC and Plan to go to the air force academy in Colorado and then Join the USAF...Is that a good plan or should I fund my own way to get hours and ratings? And I'm fit, but don't have the best vision, it isn't horrible...will the USAF let me fly planes? And will being a eagle scout affect that decision? Thanks

Answer 1

Hello Comair:

Have you looked into the Civil Air Patrol? http://www.cap.gov/ If you have an airport near you, you probably have a group that meets there. The CAP sometimes gives members opportunities to fly, and they can introduce you to pilots and flight schools.

If you are interested in flying for the Air Force, go to the USAFA website at http://www.usafa.edu for information. If you graduate, you will owe 5 years to the USAF, but afterwards, you can fly for airlines, of course.

Good luck!

Answer 2

You don't really "join" the USAF after the Academy---you're commissioned when you graduate.  

Answer 3

I'm no authority on this but I would say unless you have 20/20 vision forget about flying for the Military. Your first physicall must show 20/20, after that it can go down hill but the first one has to be perfect.

My son, who was rejected by the Army to fly now flies for Delta

Answer 4

If you can be selected for the Academy it would be great but it's vey competitive and I don't believe you are guaranteed flight status.  You can probably confirm on the Website.  My suggestion would be to have a backup plan for a college that offers AFROTC.  This is a list of schools offering the program and subsidy's offered, http://www.afrotc.com/scholarships/hssch...  Some have their own airfield.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 5

Chances of both getting an academy appointment and flying as an officer are pretty slim with less than perfect vision.

The civilian route requires dedication and lots of money.

Answer 6

  re: vision for USAF, you DO NOT need 20/20

take look at the chart under:

VISION & REFRACTIVE ERROR STANDARDS

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/...